http://www.dri.edu
	Fall 2006

DRI rolls out the red carpet for Nevada premiere of “Running Dry”

Actress Jane Seymour tells the Las Vegas audience of the importance of addressing the world water crisis and how she came to narrate “Running Dry.”

Vivid images of drought scenes filled a big screen in DRI’s Frank H. Rogers building on Aug. 15, while onlookers heard the familiar voice of actress Jane Seymour narrate an eye-opening new documentary called “Running Dry.” While some of DRI’s researchers have seen the global water crisis first-hand through their work in places like West Africa, the movie was a learning experience for those who were unaware of the severity of the crisis.

DRI has always played a major role in examining water issues and finding solutions throughout Nevada and across the globe. Therefore, when Producer/Director Jim Thebaut approached DRI to premiere his documentary about the world water crisis, it was a logical fit. DRI hosted a premiere at its Las Vegas campus and one the following evening at its Reno campus, with a panel discussion following each premiere.

Dr. John Warwick (at podium), executive director of DRI’s Division of Hydrologic Sciences, introduces the Las Vegas panelists (from l. to r.): Jim Thebaut, Jane Seymour, Patricia Simon, Patricia Mulroy, and DRI scientists Dr. Jim Thomas, Dr. Michael Young and Dr. Saxon Sharpe.

“Running Dry” was inspired by the late Illinois Senator Paul Simon’s powerful book “Tapped Out.” Thebaut had been developing the project in association with Simon until his recent death. Simon’s widow, Patricia Simon, who has continued her husband’s legacy by working with Thebaut, spoke at both movie premieres. Seymour spoke at the Las Vegas premiere and joined Simon, as well as Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Patricia Mulroy and scientists from DRI for a panel discussion after the movie was shown.

Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Patricia Mulroy, left, and Producer/Director Jim Thebaut answer questions from the audience in Reno.

The film takes viewers on a journey that explores the impending severity of the global water crisis throughout specific regions in southern Asia, northern China, the Middle East, Africa and the American southwest. Various experts and world leaders, including former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, are interviewed throughout the documentary stating their concerns, not only about their own regions, but also about the challenges that exist throughout the world.

Every day an average of 9,500 children die due to the lack of water or because of disease caused by polluted water. “Running Dry” promotes and reinforces the message that water is a precious global resource, while also presenting a variety of solutions that are available to solve the crisis. The “Running Dry” project is designed to be a comprehensive public information education project concerning the evolving water crisis. More information about the film and the Running Dry Project is available at the website http://www.runningdry.org.

–Heather Emmons