The 2003-2004 Hilberry Theatre season opens on Saturday, October 4 with the 41st annual President's Preview featuring the dark comedy, The House of Blue Leaves by John Guare. This year's gala event will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Understudies.
The Understudies were created in 1963 by former WSU president Clarence Hilberry with the idea of providing support for the growing Hilberry Company. The mission of the Understudies is to build audiences and provide financial support for the Company. The group has since raised over 2 Million dollars and the theatre sees over 60,000 patrons annually. While the main focus of The Understudies is to provide endowments, they also take on many projects and events to enrich the theatre department. Not only are the group role models for art supporters for the nation, but their hard work in fundraising has won them the Governor's Arts Organization Award.
The Black Tie 2003 President's Preview is Saturday October 4, 2003 and will be held at the Whitney Restaurant. Cocktails are at 5:30 and at 6:15 Dinner will be served. After dinner there will be a round trip shuttle bus to the Hilberry Theatre. At 8:15 The Understudies will provide a 40th Anniversary presentation which includes a special tribute film created for the Understudies 40th Anniversary. The film features interviews with many of the past Understudy presidents, WSU's own President Irvin D. Reid and a very special congratulatory message from Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm.
A photo is attached from the filming day with Governor Granholm. Pictured from left to right are Patricia Nickol, current President of the Understudies, Governor Granholm and former Assistant to the Director of Public Relations for the WSU Theatres, Janet Schmitt. The presentation will be followed by an 8:30 curtain of John Guare's The House of Blue Leaves. An afterglow will be hosted by The Whitney Restaurant.
Reservations for the event must be made no later than September 29, 2003. Prices range from $150 to $300. Make checks payable to Wayne State University. Visa and Master Card are also accepted. For information call (313) 577-3010.
Contact: Emily Schaller