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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2007

Contact: Contact: Mike Emery
713.743.8186 (office)
713.415.6551 (pager)
pemery@uh.edu

Sidney Berger has made a career out of educating young actors and directors. Now, the University of Houston professor of theater is being honored by U.S. Rep. Gene Green.

Green will present Berger with a Congressional Record Plaque at 8:15 p.m., Friday, Aug. 10 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. The presentation will take place just prior to the Houston Shakespeare Festival’s performance of “Love’s Labor’s Lost,” which Berger is directing.

On July 31, Green officially honored Berger in the Congressional Record.

“I rise today to congratulate the hard work and commitment that Mr. Sidney Berger has given to my alma mater, the University of Houston, for the past 38 years” Green said in an address before Congress.
Berger served as director for UH’s School of Theatre & Dance since 1969. He recently stepped down from his former post but continues to teach and oversee the Children’s Theatre Festival and the Houston Shakespeare Festival (HSF).

“I am grateful beyond words for this signal honor from Congressman Green,” Berger said. “To use Shakespeare’s words from ‘Twelfth Night,’ ‘I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and ever thanks.’”
Berger founded HSF in 1975. Co-sponsored by UH and the city of Houston, it has entertained nearly half a million theatergoers with free performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre. HSF is a recognized Equity theatre and is a member of the League of Resident Theatres. For details on HSF, visit http://www.hfac.uh.edu/theatre/performances/hsf.html.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.