The New York Times presents the annual event, which includes a special edition of its "TimesTalks" discussion panels at The City University of New York's Graduate Center, located in Manhattan at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street.

Billed as an "international celebration of the arts," the weekend will include "a wide range of activities from interviews with celebrated artists to free admission at cultural institutions around the world."

This year, Short is among the list of headliners that also includes Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus, Renée Fleming, "Nip/Tuck" creator Ryan Murphy, Frank McCourt, Rufus Wainwright and Brian Williams.

Previous years have seen many Broadway and stage stars as well as playwrights, directors and other theatre artists taking part. Among the many names to have been included are Matthew Broderick, Michael Cerveris, Harry Connick Jr., Barbara Cook, Nilo Cruz, Dame Edna, Edie Falco, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael C. Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tony Kushner, Neil LaBute, Nathan Lane, John Lithgow, Kathleen Marshall, Audra McDonald, Donna McKechnie, Terrence McNally, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bebe Neuwirth, Tim Robbins, Stephen Sondheim and Susan Stroman.

For tickets or more information on the special edition of "TimesTalks" and other "Arts & Leisure Weekend" events, visit www.ArtsAndLeisureWeekend.com.