THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION
Suite 540, 901 S. Bond St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21231
December 2, 2011
MEDIA ADVISORY
TO: Assignment editors, reporters, producers
FROM: Amy Lunday / 443-287-9960 office / 410-804-2551 cell / acl@jhu.edu
RE: Celebrating the theatre arts at Johns Hopkins
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Md.
This Saturday, The Johns Hopkins University will celebrate the 10th anniversary of acclaimed actor and alumnus John Astin as director of the Undergraduate Program in Theatre Arts & Studies. The festivities will also unveil the latest renovations to the historic Merrick Barn, the home for undergraduate classes and student performances.
Ed Asner, a fellow actor and close friend of Astin, will emcee the event, which will feature remarks by university President Ronald J. Daniels and Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Dean Katherine S. Newman, as well as a performance by students and a reception. Astin’s sons, the actors Sean Astin and Mackenzie Astin, will be among the notable guests at the event.
Astin, a member of the class of 1952, returned to his alma mater in 2001 to teach acting and directing, revitalizing the theatre program in the Krieger School. Between 120 and 160 students enroll each semester in courses that include acting, directing, playwriting, stagecraft, and theatrical and literary appreciation. Two or three productions are presented in the Merrick Barn each semester for enthusiastic and loyal audiences from the Homewood and Baltimore communities.
Thanks to generous support from the France-Merrick Foundation and other patrons, $210,000 was raised for a renovation project that was completed this summer. Renovations included replacing the theatre’s 104 seats and its lighting, new flooring, paint and furnishings throughout the building, and various other improvements to create a better theatre lab environment for students while enhancing the audience experience.
Reporters interested in covering the event must RSVP by contacting Amy Lunday at 443-287-9960, 410-804-2551 (cell) or acl@jhu.edu.
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