HIGH POINT, N.C., July 27, 2009 – Ed Simpson, professor of theater and chair of the Department of Theater at High Point University, recently had his play, “Elephant Sighs,” accepted for publication by Samuel French, Inc., the world’s largest publisher of plays.
“Elephant Sighs” has received numerous professional productions throughout the United States. The “male-bonding comedy” has been called “unexpected, often hilarious” by the New York Times, “riotous” by the Los Angeles Times, “warm, funny, and life-affirming” by Backstage West, and “heartfelt, thought-provoking and enjoyable” by the Trenton Times.
“Elephant Sighs” joins four other plays by Simpson in the French catalogue.
“I’m so happy ‘Elephant Sighs’ has been picked up by French,” says Simpson. “Of all my plays, it is, perhaps, the one that is closest to me. It has a lot of heart, a lot of laughter … and a lot of my Dad in it. Having the play published will help ‘Elephant Sighs’ find an even wider audience, and the publicity is beneficial for HPU and our theater students.”
In addition, HPU’s Department of Theater is in the process of starting a dramatic writing program in conjunction with the university’s revamped curriculum. This, combined with the great accomplishment surrounding the publishing of “Elephant Sighs,” signals a strong and exciting future for the Department of Theater at HPU, adds Simpson.
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people. HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students from 50 countries and 44 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report No. 5 among comprehensive universities in the South and No. 1 in its category among up-and-coming schools. Forbes.com ranks HPU in the top 6 percent among “America’s Best Colleges.” HPU was included in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” 2009 listings. The university offers 68 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and seven graduate degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at www.highpoint.edu. Chris DudleyVice President for [email protected]