Carson-Newman Theatre helps celebrate WeltonÕs 80th birthday

^{Dr. John Lee Welton}

(Feb. 24, 2014)– On March 1, Carson-Newman University will honor one of its former theatre professors prior to a performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

A 6 p.m. reception for retired professor Dr. John Lee Welton will help celebrate the beloved professor’s 80th birthday. Open to the public, the event will be held in Carson-Newman’s Phoenix Theatre and honors one of the region’s most active members of theatre for the last 50 years.

“You would be hard-pressed to find someone in theater in this area who has not worked with him,” said Kyle Biery, C-N associate professor of theater. “He has had a great impact on the Lakeway area theater.”

Welton began teaching at Carson-Newman in 1960, and taught theatre until his retirement in 1997. He has continued to be active in the theater community. In total, he directed three performances of “The Diary of Anne Frank” during his C-N tenure.

Performances of “The Diary of Anne Frank” are Feb 27 through March 1 at 7:30 p.m. and March 2 at 2 p.m. in Carson-Newman’s Gentry Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students, C-N faculty and staff. Tickets can be reserved by calling 865-471-4163.

Gentry Auditorium and Phoenix Theatre are located in the University’s Henderson Humanities Building.