McDonald, most recently on Broadway in Porgy and Bess, will conduct a master class with Saint Mary's theatre students in the morning and hold a public lecture that evening. During her lecture, which is titled An Evening with Audra McDonald, the actress will discuss her career and her life as an artist in theatre, film, television and the recording studio.

The Margaret Hill Endowed Visiting Artist Series is an annual event made possible by a gift from Hill, a Saint Mary’s College alumna and Broadway producer. Recent artists to visit the College as part of the series include Sigourney Weaver (fall 2011), Lily Tomlin (fall 2010) and Glenn Close (spring 2010).

“This visiting artist series provides a unique and invaluable experience for our theatre students at Saint Mary's College. They are able to visit with, learn from, and be inspired by nationally and internationally, renowned theatre artists whose talents have entertained and moved us all,” said Katie Sullivan, associate professor of theatre at Saint Mary’s College, in a statement. “Our students get to be coached and instructed by these great artists on their own songs, scenes, or monologues. They get to hear advice and tips about how to make their way in the professional theatre world, and they have the opportunity to ask the artists various questions about their technique, particular roles or scripts or shows, how to balance career and personal life, and how to take the first steps after college."

An Evening with Audra McDonald will be held at 7:30 PM in O’Laughlin Auditorium. The event is free to Saint Mary’s College, University of Notre Dame and Holy Cross College students, faculty and staff, but tickets are required (pick up tickets at the Moreau Center of the Arts Box Office). Admission is $10 for the general public, $5 for senior citizens, and can be purchased by going to www.moreaucenter.com, by calling (574) 284-4626 or by stopping by the box office.