Uniform Convergence
Uniform Convergence is a one-woman play, written and performed by mathematician Corrine Yap. It juxtaposes the stories of two women trying to find their place in a white male-dominated academic world. The first is of historical Russian mathematician Sofia Kovalevskaya, who was lauded as a pioneer for women in science but only after years of struggle for recognition. Her life’s journey is told through music and movement, in both Russian and English. The second is of a fictional Asian-American woman, known only as “Professor”, trying to cope with the prejudice she faces in the present. As she teaches an introductory real analysis class, she uses mathematical concepts to draw parallels to the race and gender conflicts she encounters in society today.
Never would I have been able to conceive that math could be made so beautiful and poetic.
— theater student at Sarah Lawrence College
I found it to be a phenomenally affecting piece of work, powerfully performed.
— Vin de Silva, professor of mathematics at Pomona College
Yap’s play definitely embodies the Power of Women.
— Athulya Nath, student at Westover School
It should be required viewing for all math undergrads.
— Pat Devlin, professor of mathematics at Swarthmore College
Media + Reviews
- MAA Focus feature (October 2023)
- MAA Math Horizons interview (August 2019)
- AWM newsletter pg. 17-19 (November 2018)
- AMS inclusion/exclusion blog post (October 9, 2018)
- Westover School review (April 5, 2018)
See the bottom of this page for past production photos. If you would like to leave a review or view a recording of the current play, please send me an email.
Booking
Since 2016, 35 performances have taken place at 21 colleges/universities, 5 high school programs, 2 national math conferences, and off-Broadway. Schedule a performance at your institution! Some logistical information you may want to know:
- Runtime is approximately 50 minutes.
- Past performances have taken place in both black box theaters and lecture halls. Typical performances take place in the math department’s “colloquium room.” An ideal space has both sliding blackboards and AV access, but neither is necessary.
- Fees consist of travel and accommodations if necessary. The choice of giving an additional honorarium is up to you and your sponsoring organization. Examples of sponsoring organizations are given below.
For more details, send me an email.
Previous Performances
2024
- Emory University
- University of Illinois Chicago – hosted by Symbols of Inclusion
- Carleton College – hosted by GeMMS (Gender Minorities in Math and Stats)
- Georgia Tech – hosted by SoM DEI committee
- Davidson College – Social Justice Speaker Series
- Indiana University Bloomington1
1jointly sponsored by the Asian Culture Center, the Center of Excellence for Women and Technology, the College Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, the East Asian Studies Center, the Mathematics Department, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs through a “Horizons of Knowledge” award.
2023
- Harvard-MIT Math Tournament
- Duke University – Math DEI Colloquium
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Arts & Sciences Week
- Park University
- Willamette University
- Joint Math Meetings in Boston
2022
- MathILy-Er – Daily Gather
2020 (several performances cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
- University of Nebraska, Lincoln – hosted by AMS chapter
- The College of New Jersey – mathematics and statistics colloquium
2019
- Bryn Mawr College – hosted by Distressing Math Collective
- MathILy – Daily Gather
- Princeton University – hosted by Noetherian Ring and Princeton Math Club
- University of Georgia – hosted by AWM chapter
- Dickinson College
- Pomona College – hosted by AWM chapter
2018
- Ithaca College – math colloquium
- Avenues: The World School
- MAA MathFest in Denver
- MathILy – Daily Gather
- Rutgers University – Rutgers Day
- Westover School
2017
- Yale University – hosted by Dimensions at Yale
- Rutgers University – math colloquium
- NuWorks Festival at the Pan-Asian Repertory Theater in NYC
2016
- Sarah Lawrence College
Production Photos
And to see what the performance/script looked like in its earliest form, here are some photos and video of the world premiere at Sarah Lawrence College, April 2016.
Other Performances
I also used to act in plays written by other people. Here is some evidence.