The 2007-2008 academic year marks the 50th anniversary of Murphy Hall. The new Music and Dramatic Arts Building on the campus of the University of Kansas was dedicated on November 10, 1957. We want to celebrate the students, faculty and staff who have occupied its halls and rooms with a year-long series of activities.

• A national symposium on research in music education, sponsored by the Society for Research in Music Education and hosted by Christopher Johnson, KU professor of music education, was held in Murphy Hall on July 5-7, 2007.

• The original Music and Dramatic Arts Building at KU was dedicated on November 10, 1957. KU’s Department of Music & Dance and Department of Theatre & Film will rededicate Murphy Hall on November 10, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. Join KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway and others at this ceremony that kicks off the celebration of Murphy Hall’s 50th birthday! The ceremony will take place in the courtyard of Murphy Hall. Additionally, there will be a ticketed banquet following the rededication. Information about this ticketed banquet is available by calling 785-864-9749 or 785-864-3436.

• The Department of Music and Dance, the Department of Theatre and Film and University Theatre will present The Music Man, a popular musical premiered on Broadway in 1957, in Crafton-Preyer Theatre on November 9-11 and 15-17, 2007.

• A national symposium covering Broadway musicals, hosted by Paul Laird, KU professor of musicology, and John Staniunas, professor of musical theatre and Chair of the Department of Theatre and Film, Nov. 9-10, 2007

• A two-week Festival of the Arts celebration is planned for April 13-27, 2008. Included in this period will be a performance of the opera Picnic, a University Dance Company performance, as well as theatre, band, jazz band, choir, orchestra and alumni activities.

• The Department of Theatre and Film and University Theatre presents "Alums Come Home," a series of events set to welcome theatre and film graduates back to Murphy Hall, April 24-27, 2008

  • Friday, April 25

    • 7:30 p.m. The Shape of Things by alumnus Neil LaBute, Crafton-Preyer Theatre

  • Saturday, April 26

    • 5:00 p.m. Friends of the Theatre Fundraiser, site TBA

    • 7:30 p.m. Pastiche Cinema, Crafton-Preyer Theatre

    • 9:30 p.m. Dance, Lawrence Holidome

  • Sunday, April 27

    • 2:30 p.m. The Shape of Things, Crafton-Preyer Theatre

Mark your calendars and plan to join your friends as we celebrate 50 years in Murphy at KU! Call 785-864-3436 for more details about the ongoing events.

Larry Mallett, Chair
Department of Music & Dance

John Staniunas, Chair
Department of Theatre & Film

Bob Foster, Chair
Murphy Hall 50th Committee