Houston, TX - Rep. Gene Green will present a Congressional Record Plaque Friday to Sidney Berger, director of the University of Houston’s School of Theatre & Dance since 1969, for leading the department to national acclaim.

Berger is stepping down from this position but will continue teaching at UH and overseeing the Shakespeare and Children’s Festivals he founded in 1975 and 1978 respectively. Since he became director of the UH School of Theatre & Dance, its capacity has grown tenfold, from 30 students to 300. During his tenure at UH, he pursued the philosophy that student actors benefit from working directly with accomplished theater professionals.

Berger also founded the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America. He teaches an “Acting Shakespeare” class each semester and has served for more than 20 years on the American board of the International Shakespeare’s Globe Centre in London.

Where: Miller Outdoor Theater

Hermann Park

100 Concert Drive

Houston, TX 77030

When: Friday, August 10, 2007

8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.