Nov. 18, 2014 ~

COLUMBIA, SC – Stories – and images – of adventure and daring will fill Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College when National Geographic magazine photographer Jodi Cobb makes a much-anticipated appearance on Nov. 18, 2014. Presented by National Geographic LIVE!, Stranger in a Strange Land takes the audience behind Cobb’s camera lens into hidden realms, from the inner world of painted Japanese geishas and ill-fated presidential campaigns to Bruce Springsteen’s dressing room.

Trekking the globe twice before the age of 12, Cobb demonstrated a yearning for cultural knowledge at a young age. Her passions determined her career path, which led her to explore 65 countries worldwide.

“Jodi’s attitude toward people in varying contexts all over the world, and the empathy she exudes while gaining their trust and documenting their stories, serves as an inspiration for all of us,” says Katie Fox, Executive Director of Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. “I cannot wait to hear her stories.”

Cobb pioneered the photography of worlds closed to outsiders, including the secret lives of Saudi Arabian women in palaces and Bedouin tents. Her travels led her to photograph over 30 National Geographic stories and several books. When China reopened to the west, Cobb was one of the first photographers allowed to enter, embarking on a two-month, 7,000-mile expedition for the book Journey Into China.

Stranger in a Strange Land examines not only her travels but also the adversity Cobb experienced early on in her career, as she was often the only female photographer on any given assignment.

“One of the primary powers of the arts, both visual and performing, is the ability to incite empathy,” notes Fox. “Watching a play, a dance, or looking at a photograph can help us imagine ourselves in the shoes of others. Hopefully, this leads us to make more thoughtful decisions concerning our treatment of our neighbors, near and far.”

Cobb has received many awards for her lifelong dedication to photography, including several National Press Photographers Association Pictures of the Year and World Press awards. She frequently teaches workshops and lectures all over the world. Cobb’s extensive cultural explorations – and her fearlessness – will offer a valuable educational experience for audiences of all ages.

Overview of Season Ticketing Features:

• The Flex Pass, on sale at http://harbisontheatre.org
o Purchase tickets to 4 or more shows and receive a 10% discount on each ticket
• Individual show tickets on sale at http://harbisontheatre.org
o Group discounts for 10 or more guests

Ticket Purchasing Details
Ticket packages and individual show tickets can be purchased at www.HarbisonTheatre.org. Buyers may also order tickets via phone at 803-407-5011, or in person at the Harbison Theatre Box Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The box office also will open two hours prior to each show in the Signature Series.

About Harbison Theatre
Rooted in the performing arts, Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College offers programs and productions that encourage reflection, examination and discovery; and that provide entertainment, education and opportunity to professionals, learners and community members in all stages of life. To learn about upcoming events, purchase tickets, or pursue sponsorship and volunteer opportunities with Harbison Theatre, please visit www.HarbisonTheatre.org.

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About Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina. The fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and the largest provider of transfer students to four-year colleges and universities in the state, MTC enrolls approximately 18,000 credit students annually. The college’s Corporate and Continuing Education program, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, annually has 30,000 enrollments and provides continuing education to hundreds of area businesses each year. www.midlandstech.edu