AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS MARY-LOUISE PARKER TO VISIT U OF A

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Department of Drama and the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas will bring to campus Tony Award winning actress Mary-Louise Parker on October 8 and 9, 2003. Parker will conduct master classes for undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Drama, focusing on her professional performance experience on stage, in film and on television.

Mary-Louise Parker received an Emmy nomination for her supporting role on NBC television's The West Wing, in which she frequently guest stars as feminist/activist Amy Gardner, Assistant to First Lady Bartlett and spirited romantic interest of Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman. In 2001, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Catherine in Proof and was nominated for a Tony for Rita in Prelude to a Kiss. She won an Obie Award and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for How I Learned to Drive.

Her film credits date back to 1968. Most recently, she appeared in the blockbuster Red Dragon, the suspense prequel to Silence of the Lambs. She starred as Molly Graham, wife of emotionally embattled FBI profiler Will Graham, who was first to incarcerate Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Ms. Parker is a graduate of the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts.

Ms. Parker is a former student of Mavourneen Dwyer, UA assistant professor of drama and specialist in voice for the stage. It was through Dwyer's long-time friendship with Ms. Parker that the Department was able to arrange her Parker's visit during upcoming master classes.

"We engage guest artists to serve as sources of information for the students as well as to provide direct contact with the profession," said D. Andrew Gibbs, chair. "Mary - Louise Parker's career is a source of inspiration to students as well as a valuable reference to the complex activities of a successful working actress who performs in all three popular media: film, television and stage."

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D. Andrew Gibbs, chair, department of drama, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, 479-575-2953, dagibbs@uark.ed

Lynn Fisher, director of communication, Fulbright College, 479-575-7272, lfisher@uark.edu