Paula Poundstone comes to Stephens

Comedian, writer and Emmy Award winner Paula Poundstone will share her experiences in Hollywood with Stephens College students today as part of the Citizen Jane Women in Film Series.

The Citizen Jane Series, which was started in September, brings Hollywood women to speak to students. Past speakers include Judith Guest, author of the book-turned-movie “Ordinary People,” and Barbara Wiener, founder of the organization TVbyGirls, which promotes positive images of women in the media. Screenwriter and producer Victoria Riskin will be the final speaker this year on April 20.

Although Poundstone has only one movie to her credit — a 1984 science fiction comedy entitled “Hyperspace” — she has years of show business experience.

She has written for magazines including “Mother Jones,” appeared on TV shows such as “The Tonight Show” and “Cybill” and worked for years as a stand-up comic.

And although comedy remains her dream job, it is her diverse experience as a successful woman in Hollywood that Poundstone and Ken LaZebnik, dean of the School of Performing Arts at Stephens, hope will make her visit to Columbia valuable for women aspiring to enter the ever-changing entertainment business.

“The Citizen Jane Series is meant to examine how Hollywood projects images of women and how women can take control,” said LaZebnik, who has been friends with Poundstone since writing for her 1993 television program, “The Paula Poundstone Show.”

“Paula has a great perspective on what it is like to be in the hot seat,” LaZebnik said. “She is one of those rare people who can speak to the network mindset and pressures and in general how Hollywood portrays women.”

As for Poundstone, she claims to have no great kernels of wisdom to dispel, just personal experience.

“My experience won’t be exactly repeated by anyone else,” she said. ”But I’m an example of someone doing what they want and enjoying it. I think the most important thing is to feel good about what you are doing.”

Personal experience is what Stephens students are looking for in the Citizen Jane Series, LaZebnik said. He said he believes Poundstone has plenty of unique experiences to share.