Author Adriana Trigiani Speaks at Historic UVa-Wise Graduation
May 13, 2000

Adriana Trigiani, the author of the best-selling novel Big Stone Gap, encouraged graduates at The University of Virginia's College at Wise to "find the thing you love to do" as one of their three steps to success.

Then, Trigiani said, "be the very best at it you can be" and "serve humanity." More than 3,000 people attended the ceremony, in which 274 men and women received degrees.

"Congratulations you mighty sons and daughters of the coalfields of Southwest Virginia," Trigiani said.

Trigiani, a former resident of nearby Big Stone Gap, told graduates she saw her very first play in 1976 at what was then Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia. The College changed its name in July 1, 1999, following an act by the Virginia General Assembly, to better reflect it close association with U.Va. "That, in no small way, lead me into playwriting," she said.

Trigiani graduated from the Notre Dame/Saint Mary's Theatre Program, where she was the first student to write and direct her own play, Notes From the Nile, on the University Mainstage. Later, she moved to New York City and founded The Outcasts, an all-girl comedy troupe. She made her off-Broadway debut as a playwright in 1985 when she was commissioned to write Secrets of the Lava Lamp for The Manhattan Theatre Club. Ms. Trigiani, who has won numerous awards for her plays, also writes plays for The 52nd Street Project in New York City.

Trigiani began writing and producing television situation comedies in 1988, including The Cosby Show, A Different World, and Good Sports. She was executive producer and head writer for the Jim Henson television production CityKids. Trigiani paid tribute to her own family in her 1996 film Queens of the Bigtime, an award winning, feature-length documentary.

Described by Random House as "a wholesome Cinderella story with a winning blend of '70s nostalgia and Appalachian color," Trigiani's fictional account of Big Stone Gap includes references to The Trail of the Lonesome Pine outdoor drama and other local points of interest. Big Stone Gap, which was released just four weeks ago, is currently No. 30 on the national bestsellers list.

Trigiani, who lives in New York with her husband, Tim Stephenson, an Emmy award winning lighting designer of Late Show with David Letterman, is currently writing and directing the film based on her novel.

In closing, she offered graduates one last piece of encouragement: "I want to live in a country where the future president of the United States of American is a graduate of The University of Virginia's College at Wise - preferrabley from the Class of 2000 - and when she takes her oath of office, this African-American woman, I will be able to say I told you so," Trigiani told graduates.