King Chair lecturer Adam Barr to moderate public discussion, host TV writing workshop

Lewiston native Adam Barr, a Los Angeles-based, Emmy Award-winning television writer and executive producer of “Will & Grace,” will moderate a public discussion on how television can adapt to changing attitudes and social concerns from 5:30–7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Orono High School library.

Made possible through the University of Maine/Orono High School Humanities Collaboration, the discussion is free and open to the public, and is co-sponsored by the McGillicuddy Humanities Center and the Stephen E. King Chair in Literature.

Barr, who will give the King Chair Lecture at UMaine on March 1, also will lead a TV writing workshop 1–4 p.m. March 2 at UMaine’s Foster Center for Student Innovation.

The free workshop will teach participants the essentials of creating an original TV episode, including how to generate stories, create characters, wrestle with dramatic structure and pitch jokes.

Any UMaine community members interested in media, performance, writing or entertainment are encouraged to attend. Space is limited, and registration is required for participants. Those who want to observe may attend without registering, but are asked to maintain respect for the workshop and its participants.

To express interest in registering, email Caroline Bicks at caroline.bicks@maine.edu, and include a few lines explaining your connection to the university and why you want to participate. More information about the events is online.