Published: Nov. 17, 2002

The CU Women's Network at the University of Colorado at Boulder will sponsor an Interactive Theatre performance on Nov. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dennis Small Cultural Center, room 457 in the University Memorial Center.

According to Jennifer Simpson, coordinator for student affairs, the performance will explore issues of power and difference in supervisor-supervisee relationships.

"This event promises to raise many thought-provoking and timely questions about dynamics of difference in the workplace," Simpson said. "Actors will stay in role after the performance to engage the audience's questions and facilitate a discussion about how we can manage difficult conversations in our work environment."

The event is free and open to community members interested in supporting CU-Boulder women staff members in their efforts to succeed personally and professionally.

The CU Women's Network was founded in spring 2000 by a group of women committed to addressing the needs of women staff on campus. Since then, the CUWN has grown to more than 175 members and allies.

The group focuses on the professional needs of women staff at all levels of the personnel systems by providing networking and mentoring opportunities, promoting professional development, addressing issues specific to women staff and advocating the career advancement of women at CU-Boulder.

Monthly presentation topics have focused on sexual harassment policies and procedures, negotiating the classified state personnel system, understanding the campus's computer-based training offerings, collaborative decision making, goal-setting and identifying spaces of support in the workplace.

The CUWN also sponsors networking lunches that provide opportunities for members to make connections across campus in small, informal groups. Future plans include continuing the group's mentoring program and monthly breakfast meetings, reaching out to women staff who speak English as a second language and continuing to work on diversifying the group's membership.

For more information about the Nov. 21 performance call Simpson at (303) 735-2096. To learn more about CUWN, contact co-chairs Mable Stewart at Mable.Stewart@Colorado.Edu or Cheryl Koelling at Cheryl.Koelling@Colorado.Edu, or visit the Web site at .