Whether you’re a huge theater buff with a penchant for Shakespeare, or you dig the Impressionists and their work, you are probably aware that the arts are becoming the most expendable part of the public school curriculum in the United States.

To learn more about this phenomenon, you might want to check out a lecture by Ming Cho Lee, chair of design at the Yale School of Drama. He will give a public address entitled “Under Attack: Arts and Education in America” tonight at 8 p.m. in the Maintenance Shop.

A glance at the climate in our nation’s capital is enough to point out that the arts are losing funding and respect very quickly. “All of the political drum-beating about the National Endowment for the Arts … is coupled with the fact that many people think the arts are less and less important,” said Gregg Henry, associate professor of theater. “Public perception is not good at this point.”

Lee is set to shed some light and information on the subject. He is internationally regarded as one of the most profound voices and visionaries of the World Theatre. He has won myriad awards and honors, including an Obie Award for Sustained Achievement in Theatre, the National Endowment for the Arts’ Distinguished Artist Fellowship, three honorary doctorates and a Tony Award for his design of K2. He is also a renowned scenic designer and instructor; his work has influenced countless peers and students.

Henry met Lee this past summer during a two-week workshop and was impressed; he decided that Lee’s expertise would be a wonderful compliment to ISU Theatre classrooms, if only for a couple days. Lee will lead masterclasses with theater students and faculty on issues of design, collaboration and communication.

“I don’t wanna sound like I’ve got his poster on my wall, but he’s kind of an idol of mine,” Henry said.

“I respect his work a great deal. I’ve spent two extended periods of time with him, once in Washington and this summer in California, and he’s an amazing teacher. Not just as a scenic designer, but he can talk about theater that will really open your eyes.”

Lee plans to discuss not only scenic design, but also the importance of open communication lines and working together in a theater setting. “In a day and a half he’s not gonna tell us how to be a scenic designer,” Henry said. “He’ll talk about communication, collaboration between artists, how we can talk better with each other to get a better result.”

Lee’s schedule for his stay in Ames is jam-packed with activities: he will meet with students this morning and tomorrow and with faculty this afternoon. Even his evenings are already planned. “He told me he didn’t want any free time,” Henry said.

Even though Lee has been around the theater world for decades, he is still on the cutting edge of design and instruction. Henry is thankful that Lee is so eager to share his knowledge with others.

“He’s at a point in his career that he’s a kind of missionary,” Henry said. “He’s sort of on a mission to make theater better, make it more powerful. He does it with that missionary energy.”

For more information about the lecture or the masterclasses, please contact Gregg Henry at 294-7611.