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VIRTUAL The Many Lives of Kal Pen

in association with Illinois Libraries Present

We are thrilled to welcome Kal Penn to close out our 3rd season. Penn is an actor, writer, producer, and former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Kal Penn (kalpenn.com) is an actor, writer, producer, and former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. He is known for his starring roles in Designated Survivor, House, Mira Nair’s The Namesake, the Harold & Kumar franchise, and the Christmas comedy The Santa Clauses for Disney+. His first book You Can’t Be Serious was released on November 2, 2021 from Simon and Schuster/Gallery Books. He also narrates the audiobook.

He was a national co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign in 2012 and served on the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities, focusing on arts education and cultural diplomacy, including the first-ever US Government arts delegation to Cuba. Penn taught courses at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Los Angeles. Originally from New Jersey, he received his undergraduate degree in sociology, theater, film, and television at the University of California, Los Angeles, and received a graduate certificate in international security from Stanford University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Earlier in the year, Penn wrapped production on the Bloomberg Green climate change docuseries, Getting Warmer, and the Viacom/Paramount + comedy, Surina & Mel. Following the departure of Trevor Noah from The Daily Show, Kal was named as an upcoming guest host.

Kal Penn will be joined in conversation with Bridget Petrites, Evanston Public Library.

This event will be recorded and available to view for 14 days.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.

Additional funding provided by the Downers Grove Public Library Foundation. DGPLF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing extraordinary enhancements to the library beyond traditional expense and taxpayer support.

Contact the Adult and Teen Services Desk at ATS@dglibrary.org or call (630) 960-1200 with questions.

Participant Zoom instructions:

• Registration with email address is required. You will receive the access link with your reservation confirmation.
• Virtual programs adhere to the Library's Video and Photography Policy. Participants should be aware of their privacy settings before logging into the program. 
• This program will be presented through a live Zoom webinar.

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