The Guthrie's annual forum brings world-renowned artists to its theatre for "dialogue, insight and inspiration." Among past speakers are such artists as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Edward Albee, Stephen Sondheim, Anna Deveare Smith and Tom Stoppard. Guthrie artistic director Joe Dowling will also be part of the Global Voices presentation. The 7 PM evening will be held on the Guthrie's Wurtele Thrust Stage. McKellen will appear at the Guthrie in the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions of King Lear and The Seagull, which run Oct. 5-14.

McKellen is the winner of the Tony, Olivier, Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe awards. Among his career highlights are the Broadway productions of Amadeus and Dance of Death as well as the films "Gods and Monsters," "Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men."

Tickets for Global Voices, priced $35-$50, will go on sale Sept. 7 at 10 AM by calling (612) 377-2224 or 877-44-STAGE. For more information visit www.guthrietheater.org.