The Hilberry Theatre, on the campus of Wayne State University, will host a Contemporary Russian Scenography lecture and open forum by Russian scenographer, Eduard Kochergin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2005.

Eduard Kochergin, an internationally acclaimed scenographer, designs scenery, costumes, and lighting for the theatre. Over the last forty-five years, he has designed Russian classical, European classical, and contemporary plays. Throughout his career, Mr. Kochergin has participated in exhibitions all over the world and has created scenographic designs for productions in Eastern and Western Europe as well as designs for Arms and the Man for the Shaw Festival in Canada and Sarcophagus for the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey.

In 1988, Mr. Kochergin was awarded the highest civilian award in Russia, the Peoples\' Artist of Russia title. In the same year, he was elected to the Russian Academy of Fine Arts, and is a three-time winner of the Russia State Prize.

A few of his more prestigious scenographic awards include the Golden Triga, a gold medal award for best overall national exhibit, and two silver medals from the Prague Quadrennial, an international exhibition for contemporary stage design and theatrical architecture. He also received a silver medal award at the International Triennial in Novi-sad, Yugoslavia.

He is the Principal Scenographer at the Academic G. Tovstonogov Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. As an educator, Mr. Kochergin is a professor and Dean of the School of Scenography at the Repin State Academy of Fine Arts. Mr. Kochergin attended school at the St. Petersburg Academy of Theatre Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia with Wayne State University Department of Theatre\'s Larry Kaushansky. Professor Kaushansky is the head of the MFA scenic design program.

Wayne State University\'s Hilberry Theatre is located at 4743 Cass Avenue. After the lecture, there will be time for Mr. Kochergin to answer questions. This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.