For the past 50 years, the university's Minnesota Centennial Showboat has been educating students first-hand to the professional world of theatre while providing audiences with outstanding performances within the unique venue. Sherry Wagner-Henry, managing director of university theatre and the Minnesota Centennial Showboat programs, explains what the Showboat has been offering students and audiences for a half-century.

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Download full sound bites package MP3 (2:16)

1. Intro (0:00)
2. One of oldest theatres in Minnesota (0:07)
3. Accomplishments in educating theatre students (0:42)
4. First professional experience for students (1:04)
5. Showboat's signature "Oleos" (1:19)
6. Celebrating 50 years (1:44)

Posted by Andrew Swain at 10:21 PM | Permalink

Minnesota will be a busy place this fall. Hosting the Republican National Convention, possibly seeing one of its own as a vice presidential candidate and home to not only a contentious Senate race, but three Congressional contests, as well. Not to mention, experts predict it will be one of November's "swing states." To analyze all this is University of Minnesota political science assistant professor, and frequent national and local media commentator, Kathryn Pearson.

The following audio clips are available for all media use:

Download full sound bites package MP3 (2:16)

1. Minnesota will be a swing state (0:00)
2. Competitive Senate race, playing field, strengths and weaknesses (0:16)
3. What Gov. Pawlenty as vice presidential candidate brings to ticket (0:32)
4. What to look for in a VP candidate (0:52)
5. Negative campaigning unavoidable (1:12)
6. RNC will bring excitement and attention to Minnesota (1:27)
7. The House race to watch (1:53)

Posted by Andrew Swain at 3:18 PM | Permalink