Media Credit: Courtesy of OSU College of the Arts The 80-year-old Sidney Poitier will be appearing at Mershon Auditorium Wednesday. Legendary film actor, writer, director and civil rights activist Sidney Poitier will be appearing at the Mershon Auditorium Wednesday. The lecture, which is being presented by the College of the Arts, begins at 7:30 p.
m. Poitier, who was the first black actor to win an Academy Award for best actor in "Lilies of the Field," released in 1963, will lecture to students about his distinguished career. "We are delighted to welcome Sidney Poitier here to visit with our students and the community," said Karen Bell, dean of the College of the Arts.
Poitier, the son of poor tomato farmers, was a native of Cat Island, The Bahamas. At age 17 he moved to New York City, where he eventually found work in theater. His breakthrough film role was 1958's "The Defiant One", which gave him his first Oscar nod for best actor.
He has been awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2002, an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement, and was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. "Mr. Poitier is an extraordinary artist and humanitarian," Bell said.
"Not only has his groundbreaking career paved the way for countless actors, he is a true inspiration for pursuing your dreams no matter the odds." Additionally, the College of the Arts will be offering an acting workshop Wednesday afternoon for invited theater students featuring Poitier, which will include a question-answer session. "In talking with our students, we're hoping he'll share inspirational stories from his acting career," Bell said.
"Perhaps some insights on acting techniques." The lecture is sponsored by donations from Lawrence R. Barnett and the late Isabel Bigley Barnett.
Tickets are available through the ticket office at Wexner Center for the Arts or Ticketmaster. Reserved seats are $22 and OSU student tickets are $10. For more information, visit arts.
osu.edu . Graham Beckwith can be reached at beckwith.
29@osu.edu .
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