Award-Winning Author Tommy Orange to Visit State College for Discussion, Q&A

Award-winning author Tommy Orange will visit State College in November for a meet-the-author event that focuses on his novel “There There,” which was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize and won the American Book Award.

“A Conversation with Tommy Orange,” hosted by WPSU, will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, at The State Theatre in State College. It will feature a moderated discussion with Orange, Q&A session and book signing. Books will be available to purchase on-site, courtesy of the Penn State University Bookstore. Julian Brave NoiseCat, an Indigenous filmmaker and author, will serve as moderator.

Click here to register for the event. The event is free, but advance registration is required.

During the discussion, Orange will delve into his writing process, including the themes of Native American culture and history that inform his works. He will also share his thoughts on craft and his experience as a novelist with frankness and humor.

“There There” follows 12 characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize. It contains several essays on Native American history and identity.

Prior to his visit, the Penn State Outreach and Online Education Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council will host a book club discussion of “There There” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The book was chosen in conjunction with WPSU, which received an NEA Big Reads Grant to share the book and create events related to the Indigenous peoples of our area.

Click here to register for the book club discussion.

Orange, who lives in Oakland, California, is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. He released his second novel, “Wandering Stars,” in February.

The State Theatre event is sponsored by Penn State Libraries, the Penn State Bookstore and the Penn State Outreach and Online Education DEIB Council.