Date: Mar 23, 2011

Hofstra Drama Alumni to Gather and Celebrate the Life and Teaching of Their Mentor, Dr. Richard Mason

Sunday, March 27, 2011, 2:30-4:30 p.m., John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … More than 150 alumni from Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance will gather at Hofstra’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse on Sunday, March 27, at 2:30 p.m. to pay tribute to Professor Emeritus of Drama Richard Mason, who passed away on November 26, 2010.

According to the coordinator of the memorial, Deborah Madison, Hofstra Class of 1977, Dr. Mason had a profound impact on the lives of his students. Because of this, there was a very enthusiastic response among alumni to attend the service. Many graduates are coming from as far as the West Coast and some are even expected from outside the country, including Russia and Iceland.

Dr. Mason joined the Hofstra faculty in 1964 and retired in 1993. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he graduated from Boston College and then completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in theatre arts at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Dr. Mason received Hofstra’s Distinguished Service Award in 1979 for his dedication to his students, his colleagues and his community. His production of Seventeenth Doll won the American College Theatre Festival Award and was presented in Washington, D.C., at The Kennedy Center.

Dr. Mason was a true inspiration and mentor to his students, many of whom have gone on to great success in the performing arts. Some of his students include actresses Elizabeth Dennehy, Margaret Colin and Monica Horan; film and stage actor Joe Morton; Phil Rosenthal, creator of the TV hit series Everybody Loves Raymond; Kevin Shinick, host of the PBS series Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?, head writer and producer of the Cartoon Network series MAD and creative director of Adult Swim's Robot Chicken; Broadway actors and singers John Leone and James Barbour; and actress and vocalist Barbara Fasano.

Hofstra alumni, students, faculty and staff are invited to attend this celebration of Dr. Mason’s life and teaching. To RSVP for the memorial service, please follow this link:
http://www.cvent.com/events/a-tribute-to-dr-richard-mason/event-summary-b94306cbb0cf402293fa7a102062668e.aspx?i=9d534d94-1f7f-41cf-b880-84c68c4123f2

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Related Link: RSVP for the Richard Mason Memorial