April 29, 2003

As the Columbus State University Department of Theatre begins planning for a new home in a downtown performing arts campus, it will do so with a new leader at the helm.

After receiving her start in the academic theatre world with a bachelor's from then-Columbus College in 1986, Kate Musgrove is returning to CSU with a doctorate in fine arts, a master's of fine arts and experience as a professor and a department chair.

Musgrove is leaving the Emory & Henry College's Barter Theatre Conservatory department chair position to succeed Hazel Hall at CSU. Hall is retiring this semester after 29 years of teaching in the CSU theatre department.

'I am extremely impressed with the work that Hazel has done in the theatre department over the years,' Musgrove said. 'There were only a handful of us that did everything back then - now there are 100 majors and the department has a formidable reputation in the area.. I feel privileged to come back to CSU and be a part of it all.'

Musgrove was hired after a nationwide search and is due to start on campus in August.

'We're thrilled to have acquired Dr. Musgrove's leadership,' said Martha Saunders, CSU's vice president for academic affairs. 'As one of CSU's select mission areas, the theater program is destined for some exciting changes in the near future.'

After graduating with her theatre bachelor's degree in Columbus, Musgrove earned her Master's of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Virginia, then went on for her interdisciplinary PhD in fine arts from Texas Tech University, graduating in 1996.

She taught at Virginia and Texas Tech before becoming professor and then department chair of the Theatre Department at Graceland University in Iowa. In 2001, she moved to Emory & Henry College.

'Dr. Musgrove has already established herself in her profession,' said Bill Chappell, dean of the College of Arts and Letters. 'We're looking forward to her expertise and leadership as the Department of Theatre plans for a move that will add prestige to the department, the college and the university.'

Musgrove said she was especially excited about the university's plans for a new complex in Uptown Columbus for art and theatre, in close proximity to the Schwob School of Music in the RiverCenter.

'The idea of building a fine arts complex downtown is an exciting one, she said. 'It's an idea that, I believe, will attract a lot of fine quality students.'

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Contact: Bill Chappell, 568-2055; E-mail: chappell_bill@ColumbusState.edu