Jeanne Robertson to Bring 'Rocking Chair' Tour to Winspear Opera House

The nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center and AEG Presents announced today that tickets for JeAnne Robertson: The "Rocking Chair" Tour will go on sale Friday, June 30 at 10 a.m. Award-winning American humorist and motivational speaker JeAnne Robertson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District.

Center Members get access to the best available seats. Call Membership Services at 214-978-2888 or go to www.attpac.org/support to join. Center Membership presale will begin Monday, June 26 at 10 a.m.

Ticket prices for JeAnne Robertson: The "Rocking Chair" Tour range from $49 to $24.50 and can be purchased, beginning on June 30 at 10 a.m., online at www.attpac.org, by phone at 214-880-0202 or in person at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Winspear Opera House Box Office at 2403 Flora Street. The Box Office will be open 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 90 minutes before performances - closed Saturdays and Sundays.

JeAnne Robertson reached her 6'2" stature at age thirteen. Perhaps it was an indication of a future speaking career that would soar to great heights.

No, professional speaking might not have been predicted when Jeanne was in the seventh grade in Graham, North Carolina, when and where she would have been voted most likely to make the basketball team and least likely to be a contestant in the Miss AmErica Pageant. She did make the team-averaging more than thirty points per game in her junior and senior years-but as Miss North Carolina 1963 she also competed in the Miss AmErica Pageant where she was named Miss Congeniality.

It was her participation in and perhaps even her losing of the Miss America title that turned Jeanne's life into a succession of events which led her to be one of the funniest, busiest and most popular professional speakers in America today. Because she was asked to speak every day as Miss North Carolina, Jeanne traveled her native state for one year speaking at pageants and addressing civic clubs and corporations. When that time was over, she found that people were willing to pay her to come and address their groups and conventions and loving every laughing minute of it. They wanted Jeanne-not just a title-holder and they wanted her because she made them laugh.

At that point, Jeanne still viewed speaking as a way to make a little money while continuing her education. She received her degree at Auburn University and taught physical education in high school and college, a career she enjoyed for nine years. But throughout those years, the requests continued to pour in for her to speak. In 1976, she stopped teaching and entered professional speaking full time.

With the flexibility to speak more often, Jeanne's rise in the speaking profession was nothing short of phenomenal. Clients and speakers alike were quick to recognize her ability. In addition to a full speaking schedule year after year, she has been awarded every top honor and designation in her profession including the Certified Speaking Professional designation (CSP) in 1980 and being inducted in the CPAE Speaker Hall Of Fame in 1981. A member of NSA/Carolinas, she served as President of the National Speakers Association in 1985. In 1989 she became the first woman to receive that association's most cherished honor, the Cavett Award. The Cavett is awarded annually to one member "whose accomplishments, integrity and reputation are a credit to NSA and the speaking profession."

Toastmasters International named Jeanne the recipient of its 1998 Golden Gavel Award, given annually to one individual for accomplishments in leadership and communications. She is the only female professional speaker who has received this honor. Other recipients include Lowell Thomas, Walter Cronkite, Earl Nightingale, Art Linkletter, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Tom Peters, Mark Russell, Ken Blanchard and Zig Ziglar.

In recognition of her professional expertise, experience, and competence, Jeanne was honored by the NCAA Southeastern Conference as Auburn University's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2000. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Elon University.

The North Carolina Press Association named Jeanne as its 2001 North Carolinian of the Year for "her popularity on the speaking circuit, her award-winning ways, and her representation of North Carolina." Past recipients include Elizabeth Dole, Rev. Billy Graham, and Dean Smith.

The Miss North Carolina Organization named Jeanne as its 2003 Woman of Achievement. She was the first former Miss North Carolina to be so named.

The National Speakers Association named her its 2012 Master of Influence.

Jeanne has produced eight humor DVDs and CDs and written three books on humor - Humor: The Magic of Genie, Mayberry Humor Across the USA and Don't Let the Funny Stuff Get Away. These books are filled with reality-based stories, which illustrate her humor philosophy. She can be heard on SiriusXM Satellite Radio's Family Comedy and Blue Collar Comedy channels.

While she enjoys making people laugh, Jeanne views the role of a humorist as more than eliciting laughter. As audiences are holding their sides and wiping tears from their faces, she makes her point clear. Perhaps that is why thousands of meeting planners make their point clear when they say... "The Meetin' ain't over 'til the tall lady speaks."

The AT&T Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit foundation that operates and programs a 10-acre campus comprised of three premier performance venues and a park in downtown Dallas. Opening in October 2009, the Center has helped complete the 30-year vision of the Dallas Arts District.

Audiences enjoy the best and most recent from Broadway and off-Broadway; the finest dance companies from across the globe co-presented with TITAS Presents; top concerts and performers with Center Presents; cutting-edge speakers from the #hearhere series; and a five-year initiative to present The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. The Center also offers free programming for audiences from every part of the community and produces the expansive, biannual light-based art event Aurora across the Arts District. Thousands of students explore and more deeply experience the arts through the Center's education program, Open Stages. Working with local service agencies, the Center provides free tickets to underserved individuals and families through Community Partners. These programs are made possible by the ongoing support of donors and members.

The Center's five resident companies are among the city's leading arts institutions: Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center and Texas Ballet Theater.

Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the Center's performance spaces are some of the finest venues in the world:

Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, designed by Foster + Partners of London, is a stunning 2,200-seat venue wrapped in red glass with outstanding acoustic performance halls.

Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre is a 575-seat theatre with one of the most versatile stages in the world and a distinctive aluminum exterior. It was designed by REX/OMA, Joshua Prince-Ramus (partner in charge) and Rem Koolhaas.

Annette Strauss Square, designed by Foster + Partners, is an open-air entertainment venue with lawn and patio seating for 2,000 surrounded by the downtown skyline.

Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park is an urban park with native plants and grasses, landscaped lawns, performance spaces, a reflecting pool. Sammons Park was designed by Michel Desvigne and includes the Information Center designed by Foster + Partners.

The Center's mission is to provide a public gathering place that strengthens community and fosters creativity through the presentation of performing arts. For more information about the AT&T Performing Arts Center and to purchase tickets, become a member, or make a donation, visit www.attpac.org.

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