Department of Communication, Mississippi State University

216 President’s Circle, 130 McComas Hall - Mississippi State, MS, 39762
662-325-3320 - comm.msstate.edu

Lin-Manuel Miranda to direct Theatre MSU production of “Hamilton: An

American Musical”

STARKVILLE​, Miss. — April 20, 2018 — The Department of Communication at

Mississippi State University has invited Lin-Manuel Miranda to direct a Theatre MSU production

of “Hamilton: An American Musical,” written by Miranda himself, on April 27 at 7 p.m. in

Humphrey Coliseum.

Miranda read about the production through a tweet sent on the department’s Twitter

account. He said he knew immediately he wanted to be involved.

“The culture of Mississippi is deeply rooted in its heritage. Much of ‘Hamilton’ is

historically tied to those southern roots, and I think Mississippi State University is the perfect

place to put on this production,” Miranda said.

“Hamilton: An American Musical” tells the story of American Founding Father

Alexander Hamilton through rap and hip-hop songs. It made its Off-Broadway debut in 2015 and

has since become a Broadway hit.

Miranda is a graduate from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. He is best

known for his original Broadway musicals “Hamilton: An American Musical” and “In the

Heights” as well as co-writing the music for Disney’s animated film “Moana.”

Dr. John Forde, head of the communication department, said he is thrilled about the

attention this is bringing to the university.

“This is huge opportunity for both our department and our communication students. We

are very grateful that Lin took time out of his busy schedule to direct our production of his

musical,” Forde said.

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MANUEL DIRECTS FOR THEATRE MSU - PAGE 2

Miranda will also donate $50,000 to Theatre MSU toward scholarships and future

productions.

“Live theatre is a very important art form that must thrive. Being able to fund an

education for future thespians is the least I can do. We have to support our arts programs,”

Miranda said.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased in the office of McComas Hall or

online at comm.msstate.edu.

The Department of Communication, founded in 1962, houses approximately 600 majors

and 31 faculty, and offers around 95 sections of courses each semester. The department’s mission

is to prepare students to be effective and ethical consumers and producers of personal and

public communication.

For more information about Miranda or Theatre MSU, contact Forde at 662. 325.8033 or

jforde@comm.msstate.edu​.

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Danielle Brown

205.399.0793

laurendanielle365@gmail.com