Karyl Evans is available for speaking engagements and screening events both in-person and virtually. Ms. Evans is prepared to screen her films and facilitate discussion about a specific topic or speak about any aspect of her work as a documentary filmmaker.
Karyl Evans has screened her films and lectured about the subject of her films and documentary filmmaking around the country for 30 years. She is on the National Speaker’s List of the Garden Club of America. Ms. Evans was a full-time professor at Southern Connecticut State University and is currently a Yale Fellow.
To book screening/speaking events and to discuss fees/honorariums/expenses please fill out and submit the Screening Request Form (seen below) and we will be back in touch with you soon.
Downloadable Screening Resources
Information about Karyl Evans
Introduction to Karyl Evans (click to download)
Karyl Evans Short CV (click to download)
Publicity Photographs of Karyl Evans
Karyl Evans wins Outstanding Director Emmy Award 2016 (click to download)
Karyl Evans formal publicity headshot (click to download)
Karyl Evans directing Meryl Streep (click to download)
Karyl Evans producing Beatrix Farrand film on location (click to download)
Karyl Evans speaking at screening event (click to download)
Karyl Evans signs DVDs after screening event at Green Spring Gardens (National Historic Site)
“The sold-out event was a tremendous success and earned extremely positive feedback from a capacity audience of 110 attendees. The film garnered high praise from audience members who were also excited to hear from the film’s creator in person. Ms. Evans gave fascinating insight into the making of the film and her exhaustive research on Beatrix Farrand. Many guests commented on the film’s stunning presentation of so many of Farrand’s commissions and the skill with which an extremely prolific career was encapsulated effectively in a short documentary format. ”
Films Available for Screening Events
The Life and Gardens of BEATRIX FARRAND
This is the first documentary ever produced about the life and gardens of the most successful female landscape architect in early 20th century America. This compelling film chronicles the life of Beatrix Farrand (1872-1959) the niece of Edith Wharton, who grew up in the privileged world of the East Coast elite and fought through the challenges of working in a male-dominated profession to design over 200 landscapes during her remarkable 50-year career. (40 minutes)
For more information about this film and to book speaker/screening events visit: BeatrixFarrandDocumentary.com
Mabel Osgood Wright: Pioneering Conservationist
This short documentary tells the virtually unknown story of Mabel Osgood Wright (1859-1934) who was a pioneer in the American Conservation Movement. Mabel founded the Connecticut Audubon Society and went on to establish “Birdcraft” the oldest privately-owned songbird sanctuary in America. She was the author of over 30 books, she was a professional photographer, and she founded the Fairfield Garden Club in CT. (18 minutes)
The New Haven Green: Heart of a City
This documentary explores the rich history of the New Haven Green, a public green space which continues to be the center of civic, religious, educational, and commercial life in New Haven, Connecticut. Narrated by Paul Giamatti. (30 minutes)
3 Emmy Award Nominations
Grove Street Cemetery: City of the Dead, City of the Living
This documentary explores New Haven’s Grove Street Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark founded in 1797. The film takes a look at the cemetery’s historical significance, the people interred there, funerary art, landscape plantings, and the extensive community involvement with the site. (30 minutes)
2 Emmy Award Nominations
Letter from Italy, 1944: A New American Oratorio
This documentary tells the true story of a 10th Mountain Division World War II soldier who returns from war with PTSD and how his condition affects his relationships with his wife and family. The compelling narrative is told through the lens of the making of an oratorio (sung prayer) written by the soldier’s two daughters in 2013. The film is narrated by Oscar Award winner Meryl Streep. (1 hour)
1 Emmy Award
The History of African Americans in Connecticut: Colonial Era to Civil War
Narrated by Ozzie Davis, this documentary - the first part of a two-part series recounts the significant events and individuals in the history of African Americans in Connecticut from Colonial times to the Civil War. (1 hour)
The History of African Americans in Connecticut: Civil War to Civil Rights
Narrated by Ruby Dee, this documentary - the second part of a two-part series chronicles the significant events and individuals in the history of African Americans in Connecticut from just after the Civil War to the Civil Rights era. (1 hour)
3 Emmy Awards
The Road to Freedom: Connecticut’s African American Freedom Trail
This documentary takes viewers along the African American Freedom Trail in Connecticut. The film highlights the significant people and events that helped move the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality forward in the state. (40 minutes)
1 Emmy Award
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Connecticut
During the Civil Rights era, Dr. Martin Luther King visited a number of Connecticut towns including New Haven, Bridgeport, and Middletown. His influence in the state during that turbulent time is recounted by the people who remember his substantial impact. (9 minutes)
1 Emmy Award Nomination
Connecticut and Its Cities: Three Centuries of Change
This documentary - the first part of a two-part series recounts 300 years of growth and change in Connecticut cities from Colonial times to modern times. (1 hour)
1 Emmy Award Nomination
Connecticut and Its Cities: The Challenge of Renewal
This documentary - the second part of a two-part series explores the problems facing Connecticut cities today and what cities are doing to resolve them. (1 hour)
1 Emmy Award Nomination
The Rise and Fall of Newgate Prison: A Story of Crime and Punishment in Connecticut
This documentary recounts the history of crime and punishment in Connecticut through the prism of New-Gate Prison, Connecticut’s oldest prison and a National Historic Landmark, founded in 1773. (1 hour)
Award of Merit, American Association for State and Local History
Award of Merit, Connecticut League of History Organizations
1 Emmy Award Nomination
The Amistad Revolt: All We Want is Make Us Free
This documentary tells the dramatic story of the Amistad captives who committed mutiny in 1839, were captured, and ultimately won their freedom in a famous U.S. Supreme Court Case. (33 minutes)
Silver Gavel Award (National Award) American Bar Association
Speaker / Screenings Highlights
Karyl Evans at a screening event for the National Building Museum
Karyl Evans speaking at a screening event for the Enfield Garden Club
Karyl Evans signing DVDs at the National Building Museum
“I am the chairman of my club’s Garden History and Design committee and on Monday I hosted them for a viewing of your fabulous film. Beatrix Farrand is an inspiration and your film brought her to life in such a remarkable way. The narrative was so expertly woven into the beautiful feast of images and the committee’s curiosity has now been piqued to learn more about the work she did for Oberlin College. To inspire others to want to learn more is a mark of success and you have inspired us. We are in awe of your immense talent and we thank you for this wonderful film. ”
The Life and Gardens of BEATRIX FARRAND Screening Events
Ambler Arboretum of Temple University
Ambler, PA
American Society of Landscape Architects, Nevada Chapter
Las Vegas, NV
American Society of Landscape Architects, New York City Chapter New York City, NY
Amherst Garden Club
Amherst, NH
Barrington Garden Club
Barrington, RI
Beatrix Farrand Society
Bar Harbor, Maine
Berkshire Botanical Garden
West Stockbridge, MA
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum
Bristol, RI
Botanical Gardens at the Huntington Museum
San Marino, CA
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Bronxville, NY
Branford Garden Club
Branford, CT
Burr Gardens at Burr Mansion
Fairfield, CT
Charleston Horticultural Society
Charleston, SC
Chatham Garden Club
Chatham, MA
Cheshire Public Library
Cheshire, CT
Connecticut Preservation Trust
New Haven, CT
Connecticut Valley Garden Club
Avon, CT
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Memphis, TN
Enfield Garden Club
Enfield, CT
Essex Library
Essex, CT
Essex Meadows
Essex, CT
Fairfield Garden Club
Fairfield, CT
Garden Club of America
New York City, NY
Garden Club of Hartford
Hartford, CT
Garden Club of New Haven
New Haven, CT
Garden Club of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Garden Club of The Back Bay
Boston, MA
Georgetown Garden Club
Washington, D.C.
Green Spring Gardens, National Historical Site
Alexandria, VA
Greenwich Botanical Center
Greenwich, CT
Harkness Memorial State Park
Waterford, CT
Hill-Stead Museum
Farmington, CT
Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons
Sag Harbor, NY
Jesup Memorial Library
Bar Harbor, ME
Jonathan Edwards College
Yale University New Haven, CT
Leete’s Island Garden Club
Branford, CT
Marin Art and Garden Center
Marin, CA
Mark Twain Library
Redding, CT
The National Building Museum
Washington, D.C.
New Haven Museum
New Haven, CT
North Country Garden Club
Locust Valley, NY
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA
Ocean Reef Garden Club
Key Largo, Florida
Preservation Society of Newport County
Newport, RI
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Rowayton Gardeners
Rowayton, CT
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
New Brunswick, NJ
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Santa Barbara, CA
Stonington Garden Club
Mystic, CT
The Club at Morys
New Haven, CT
Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Boylston, MA
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
University of Maine
Orono, ME
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Winterthur, DE
Women’s Club of Roland Park
Baltimore, MD
Yale University Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department
New Haven, CT
Yale University Planning Department
New Haven, CT
Letter from Italy, 1944: A New American Oratorio Screening Events
President’s College Lecture Series, The University of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Yale University, Whitney Humanities Center
New Haven, Connecticut
Russell Library
Middletown, Connecticut
New Haven Documentary Film Festival
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Veterans Hospital
West Haven, Connecticut
The New Haven Green: Heart of a City Screening Events
Garden Club of New Haven and Proprietors of the New Haven Green, Whitney Humanities Center
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven Documentary Film Festival
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Lyric Hall Screening and Conversation
New Haven, Connecticut
The Club at Morys
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Jonathan Edwards College, Fellow’s Screening
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Grove Street Cemetery: City of the Dead, City of the Living Screening Events
LEAP (Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership) Lecture Series
New Haven, Connecticut
The Board of the Friends of the Grove Street Cemetery, Whitney Humanities Center
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Jonathan Edwards College Master’s Tea, Interview: A Conversation with Karyl Evans and Screening
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Additional Screenings and Lectures
Connecticut Humanities Council and Connecticut Public Television, Connecticut State Capitol, Hartford, Connecticut. World Premiere Screening: The Rise and Fall of Newgate Prison: A Story of Crime and Punishment in Connecticut.
American Association of Museums, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lecture: What Kind of Video is Best for Your Institution’s Needs?, AAM Annual Meeting.
Noah Webster House and Museum, University of Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut. World Premiere Screening: Noah Webster: Schoolmaster of America.
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums, Annual Meeting, Saratoga Springs, New York. Lecture: Invigoration Museums Through Creative Dramatics and Video Productions.
Association for the Study of Connecticut History, Fall Conference, Manchester Community College, Manchester, Connecticut. Lecture: Filming Noah Webster’s Revolution.
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Connecticut. Multicultural Center Lecture Series: Screening: African Americans in Connecticut: Civil War to Civil Rights and African American in Connecticut: Colonial Era to Civil War and discussion.
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut. University Hour Lecture Series: The Art of Documentary Filmmaking and discussion.
Saint Louis Public Library, St. Louis, Missouri - Screening: African American’s in Connecticut: Civil War to Civil Rights and discussion.
Gilder Lehrman Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Screening: The Amistad Revolt: “All We Want Is Make Us Free” and African Americans in Connecticut: Colonial Era to Civil War and discussion.
Yale University Art Gallery, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Screening: The Amistad Revolt: “All We Want Is Make Us Free” and Lecture: The Amistad Revolt: What Spielberg Left Out - The Connecticut Connection.
“What a perfect evening, I’ve had wonderful feedback on the event. The attendees loved the film, really enjoyed your taking them through your creative process, and felt a renewed pride in our Beatrix Farrand site. They also liked chatting with you post film and sharing their garden thoughts! Perhaps we could pursue in the future a documentary focused exclusively on Farrand/ Edward and Mary Harkness and other artisans who have worked at Harkness. ”
