Cicely Tyson Program Is Offered at CSUN

Concluding Cal State Northridge’s annual celebration of African American history, Emmy Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson will re-create scenes from her best-known work during a campus appearance on Thursday, the university has announced.

Tyson will read from her past productions and take questions from the audience during a 90-minute presentation in the University Student Union’s Grand Salon.

“She picks characters that have some cross to bear, some obstacle to overcome,” said Adele Scheele, director of CSUN’s Center for Career and Leadership Development, one of the event’s sponsors. “She becomes that person in front of us.”

A New York native, Tyson was raised in Harlem. She made her acting debut in a YMCA production of “Dark of the Moon” and later appeared off-Broadway in “The Blacks.” On television, Tyson starred with George C. Scott in the 1963-64 CBS series “East Side/West Side” and with Melissa Gilbert in the 1994-95 NBC drama “Sweet Justice.”

She won Emmys for the title role in 1974’s “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and for a supporting role in 1994’s “The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All.” Her motion pictures include “Sounder” and “Fried Green Tomatoes.”

Tyson will appear from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. The event is free to the public, but seating is limited to 200 people. Seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, Scheele said.