About Uniform Convergence

“Never would I have been able to conceive that math could be made so beautiful and poetic.”
— theater student at Sarah Lawrence College
“Yap’s play definitely embodies the Power of Women.”
— Athulya Nath, student at Westover School
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“It should be required viewing for all math undergrads.”
— Patrick Devlin, professor of mathematics at Yale University
“I found it to be a phenomenally affecting piece of work, powerfully performed.”
— Vin de Silva, professor of mathematics at Pomona College

Synopsis

Uniform Convergence is a one-woman play, written and performed by mathematics graduate student 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.

Media + Reviews

  • 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)

  • Yale production photos (November 10, 2017)

  • Sarah Lawrence production photos and video* (April 28, 2016)
    *Please note that the play has been heavily revised since this performance. While the themes have remained the same, this video no longer serves as an accurate trailer for current performances.

If you would like to leave a review or view a recording of the current play, please fill out the contact form.

Booking

Schedule a performance at your institution! Some logistical information you may want to know:

  • Runtime is approx. 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, fill out the contact form.

Previous Performances

  • All subsequent performances scheduled for 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    2020

  • University of Nebraska, Lincoln - sponsored by AMS chapter

  • The College of New Jersey - mathematics and statistics colloquium

    2019

  • Bryn Mawr College - sponsored by Distressing Math Collective

  • MathILy - Daily Gather

  • Princeton University - sponsored by Noetherian Ring and Princeton Math Club

  • University of Georgia - sponsored by AWM chapter

  • Dickinson College

  • Pomona College - sponsored by AWM chapter

    2018

  • Ithaca College - math colloquium

  • Avenues: The World School

  • MAA MathFest

  • MathILy - Daily Gather

  • Westover School

    2017

  • Yale University - sponsored by Dimensions at Yale

  • Rutgers University - math colloquium

  • NuWorks Festival at the Pan-Asian Repertory Theater in NYC

    2016

  • Sarah Lawrence College