Distinguished Speaker Series of Orange County begins in October
After 24 years of presenting world renowned and sought-after speakers to sold-out audiences, The Distinguished Speaker Series of Southern California is excited to announce its expansion to a fifth location, the Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa.
“For years, patrons in Orange County have been reaching out, asking us to bring our Series to their community. We are delighted to have found the perfect home – the stunning Segerstrom Hall. We are excited to present our compelling and bi-partisan style of entertainment to a new audience,” said Co-Founder Kathy Swan Winterhalder. “We are also thrilled that former president George W. Bush has agreed to headline the inaugural season.”
With its season running from October 2019 to May 2020, on six different Monday evenings, the Distinguished Speaker Series will bring to Orange County some of the world’s most influential and captivating speakers. “We search the globe to find great speakers whose remarkable leadership, achievements and opinions make a real difference. Never has that been truer than this coming season’s speakers,” said Winterhalder.
Accomplished actors and activists, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin will kick-off the Series together for a night of hilarity, witty observations, and thoughtful conversation (Oct 21). Father Gregory Boyle, the Founder of Homeboy Industries will share decades of hard-earned wisdom and rejoice in our shared humanity (Nov.18). Come 2020, the award-winning broadcast journalist, Anderson Cooper will appear (Jan.27). Neuroscientist, primatologist and best-selling author, Dr. Robert Sapolsky will distill stories and use humor to help us understand the science of the brain and why we do the things we do (Feb.17). The 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush will take the stage (April 20) and the Series will conclude with Dan Buettner (May 18). This explorer and best-selling author of The Blue Zones who will take the audience on an epic visual journey around the world unlocking the key to happiness and a long productive life.
The audience will have the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with each speaker, as each event concludes with a moderated question and answer session hosted by former radio talk show host and newspaper columnist, Doug McIntyre. The Distinguished Speaker Series will be held in the Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts – 600 Town Center Dr. Costa Mesa. The program takes place on Monday evenings at 7:30pm (except for Anderson Cooper who appears at 8:00pm).
The Series is open to the public in subscription packages only. Series tickets range from $198 in the balcony to premier seating at $610 for all six evenings. Single tickets are not available. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.speakersoc.com or by calling the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Box Office at (714) 556-2787.
“The Series was created with curious, smart, open-minded people in mind. Our audience is made up of friends, neighbors, and community and business leaders who like to be entertained in a unique and compelling way,” said Winterhalder.
The Distinguished Speaker Series was established in 1995 in response to Southern California’s need for an educational, entertainment alternative. The Distinguished Speaker Series is currently held at five locations, the historic 1,300 seat Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena(launched in 1995), the 1,500 seat Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center (launched in 1998), and the 1,800 seat Theatre, in the Bank of America, Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center (launched in 2001) and the Art Deco style 1,900 seat Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills (launched in 2015).
Winterhalder, the series co-founder, adds “we get so much inspiration from the game-changers we have brought to the stage. We have hosted over 100 luminaries who have transformed our world. These include leaders like The Dalai Lama, Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Tony Blair. We’ve laughed along with Steve Martin, Betty White, Ron Howard, Bob Newhart, and John Cleese. And we’ve been moved by such talents as Yo-Yo Ma, Vin Scully, Robert Redford and Maya Angelou.”
Subscriptions may be purchased by visiting the Distinguished Speaker Series website www.speakersco.com or calling (714) 556-2787.
