Galen Morgan Cooper '66 Brings Her One Woman Show to DePauw
October 3, 2001
October 3, 2001, Greencastle, Ind. - Galen Morgan Cooper ‘66 will return to the DePauw University campus Thursday, October 4, 2001, to present the one woman show that she conceived, wrote and stars in, Motherhood and Apple Pie. The performance begins at 8 p.m. in Kerr Theatre of the Performing Arts Center.
Described as “a fast-paced roller coaster ride through the joys and pain of a mother struggling to create the perfect life for her family,” Motherhood and Apple Pie explores the depth of a mother's love and connection to her child. Cooper presents the joys and pains of being a parent, touching on some of the problems that can enter into family life, like drug addiction. In the play, Cooper's character attempts to bake the perfect apple pie while trying to make sense of her own life.
Cooper says, from a very early age she enjoyed having an audience and always respected the art of acting. After her daughter went to college, Cooper was able to move to New York to pursue acting. Motherhood and Apple Pie actually evolved from a theatre project, but her inspiration came from her experiences as a psychologist and especially, a mother. Having raised a daughter and a son, Cooper said that the “act of just living as a mother” provided fuel for her play.
Galen Morgan Cooper says what she most enjoys about performing Motherhood and Apple Pie is the broad range of emotions that she's able to convey to the audience. “In parts I'm almost giddy, in others I'm as sad as you can possibly be. Total joy to total desperation,” is how she characterizes her role. Cooper hopes that this compelling story of family life will reach other mothers, fathers and children, and help them to make sense of their own lives. “This play has lots of messages for lots of different people -- no matter who you are, you will be able to relate in some way,” she says.
Now living in California with her husband Tom (DePauw 1966), Cooper has plans to turn Motherhood and Apple Pie into a full-length screenplay. She also recently completed real estate school 
and is in the redecorating business and is currently writing a book, A Turmoil Called Home. “I just don't stay still for very long,” Cooper explained with a chuckle.
Cooper's previous performances include appearances in Angry Jellow Bubbles: The Revenge at the New York International Fringe, Estrogenius 2000 Festival, A Special Evening at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, and Circle of Truth at New York University, as well as a number of commercial projects.
Tickets for Motherhood and Apple Pie are $6 for general admission; free for DePauw students with ID. Galen Morgan Cooper has chosen to donate all profits from Thursday evening's performance to the New York City disaster relief fund. For ticket information, call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (765) 658-4827.
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