Solo performer and Scholar, Venus Opal Reese to give lecture/demo in the 2006 IDA lecture series Creative Works, Creating Change. Venus Opal Reese is a scholar/performing artist who has performed nationally for over 15 years. Her widely acclaimed solo performance, Split Ends, explores the relationship between women of African descent and their hair. Written and directed by Reese, Split Ends draws from interviews she conducted with women of African descent. In addition to earning masters and doctoral degrees from Stanford University, Reese has studied mime with Marcel Marceau; dance with Judith Jamison and Gregory Hines (Alvin Ailey artistic director); and acting with Vanessa Redgrave and Christopher Reeve.