"When Hinks and Elaine Shimberg, Lisel and I first discussed the idea of the BRIT Program in the last century little did we anticipate the success it has turned out to be. With the additional financial help of Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Dan Doyle, the program has now become an established annual event and is the envy of many universities in the U.S.A. and even some conservatories!

The original aim of the founding members was to bring the expertise of the British Classical Theatre to students at the University of South Florida (USF) from leading actors and directors working in the London Theatre, Television, and Film. It was essential to be a practical course with hands on master classes and we are delighted to have brought so many distinguished artists to USF over the past ten years. This year is no exception and we are pleased to welcome Sir Donald Sinden, Keith Baxter, Sheridan Morley, Matthew Francis and Stephen Wrentmore who keep up the tradition of passing on their considerable knowledge to the students."

"Passion for teaching and artistic excellence are the driving forces behind the British International Theatre Program (BRIT Program). Since 1991, TheatreUSF has been carefully designing an undergraduate curriculum which integrates guest artists' skills into the everyday activitiy of each Spring semester. At 25 years of age, the film and theatre director Sam Mendes was our youngest teacher; at 90, dramatist Christopher Fry our eldest. As this suggests, British classical theatre is a living force, spanning generations and styles. We are privileged to have our students partake of the classical training, and we are eager to work with our British cousins on the continuing development of this marvelous tradition.

Hats off to Hinks and Elaine Shimberg; John Gale, O.B.E. and Lisel Gale; Dan Doyle; Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the State of Florida for the support to make this program possible."