Next Stage Arts presents an evening with acclaimed author Victoria Redel in conversation with award-winning writer Robin MacArthur on Friday, May 8 at 7:30 PM (doors at 6:45 PM) at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT. The event will also be available via livestream.

Redel will discuss her highly anticipated new novel, I Am You, a richly imagined story set in 17th-century Amsterdam. Inspired by historical fact, the novel follows Gerta Pieters, a young girl raised as a boy in service to a Dutch household, and Maria van Oosterwijck, a gifted painter navigating the constraints of the Dutch Golden Age. Through their intertwined lives, Redel explores themes of love, artistic ambition, gender, and identity, illuminating the often-overlooked struggles faced by women in history.

The conversation will be led by Robin MacArthur, whose debut short story collection Half Wild won the PEN New England Award. MacArthur’s work has appeared in Orion, LitHub, The Washington Post, and on NPR, and she brings a thoughtful and engaging perspective to discussions of literature and craft. This event offers audiences an opportunity to hear directly from Redel about the inspiration and research behind her novel, as well as the broader questions it raises about identity, history, and artistic expression.

ByWay Books will be on site with copies of I Am You and select titles by both authors available for purchase.

Tickets are $10 for in-person attendance and $5 for livestream access. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nextstagearts.org.