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Principal dancer for the Houston Ballet, and the first African-American to be a principal dancer, Lauren Anderson. She began studying at the ballet's academy at the age of 7, and working with Stevenson at the age of 11 when he was hired by the ballet. Stevenson choreographed Cleopatra, for her.

Robert speaks with Margaret Ann and Bob Fagen, owners of Margaret Ann Fagen Research. They spent a recent Atlanta Braves game in the ballpark restrooms, counting the number of people who didn't wash their hands after using the facilities. They found that more women wash their hands than men, at least at baseball games.

Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The actor-driven theatre is known for its ensemble acting, and cutting-edge acting style. It's members include John Mahoney (Martin Crane on Frazier), John Malkovich, Kevin Anderson and four actors whom we'll hear from: First, founding members Gary Sinise (films: Mission to Mars, Apollo 13, Of Mice and Men,) and Terry Kinney (a regular on HBO's Oz).

David Greenberger reviews Worried, a CD compilation of the blues music of Asie (AY-see) Payton, a Mississippi farmer who died driving his tractor in May of 1997. The CD tracks were intended only to be demos. But Payton never got the chance to record more. (3:45) The CD, Worried is produced by Fat Possum records, catalog # 80326-2.

NPR's Julie Rovner reports on the campaign ads of Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush on the issue of prescription drugs.

NPR's Debbie Elliot reports that the national anti-smoking initiative that was created by the tobacco industry's settlement with states is running ads during the Olympics. The controversial ads, spoofs of industry ads, feature body bags to portray tobacco's death toll. The industry says it is being vilified in violation of the agreement. Ad analysts say the ads are effective and reach an unprecedented audience for a public health message.

Commentator Rebecca Flowers thinks its a bad week to be a woman.

Actresses Joan Allen (Pat Nixon in Nixon, The Ice Storm, Pleasantville and the upcoming film The Contender) and Laurie Metcalf (a regular on TV's Norm, longtime co-star of Roseanne).

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone is testing the UN's ability to carry out such operations. Yesterday, the Security Council approved another two months for the 13-thousand member force and tabled Secretary General Kofi Annan's proposal to increase the number of UN peacekeepers deployed in Sierra Leone. The UN operation there has proven to be costly and dangerous.

Bill Cohen of Ohio Public Radio reports on a conference to discuss the problem of soaring natural gas prices. Yesterday, several of the country's largest producers, suppliers and regulators of natural gas took part in the one-day meeting in Columbus, Ohio to help governors develop plans for their own states.