[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8440-8441]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOE DOWLING

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I wish to recognize Joe Dowling, 
the outgoing artistic director of the Guthrie Theater. For 20 years, 
Mr. Dowling has served the Guthrie with integrity, creativity, and 
style. His passion, talent, and years of international theater 
experience have added so much to the Guthrie Theater and the entire 
Twin Cities theater community.
  Mr. Dowling joined the Guthrie Theater as artistic director in 1995. 
Since then, he has directed 48 plays and build relationships with 
esteemed theater artists, such as Angela Bassett, the late Arthur 
Miller, and T.R. Knight, just to name a few. But his legacy reaches far 
beyond the plays he has directed and the relationships he has formed. 
Under Mr. Dowling's leadership, the Guthrie moved into its beautiful 
new building, allowing the company to expand its repertoire and reach 
over 400,000 patrons each year.
  Joe Dowling has also focused on developing the next generation of 
theater artists. He led the development of two new actor training 
programs at the Guthrie and initiated the WorldStage Series, a program 
that invites international theater companies to perform on Guthrie 
stages. His vision and leadership have brought tremendous positive 
change to the Guthrie Theater, and his legacy will be felt long after 
he has gone.
  Tyrone Guthrie founded the Guthrie Theater with a specific goal in 
mind--to create a first-rate regional theater that would nourish the 
minds and souls of artists and audiences alike. In the 52 years since 
its founding, the Guthrie Theater has become just that--a shining 
example of everything regional theater is and can be. Whether producing 
Shakespeare's ``Hamlet'' or more contemporary fare, the Guthrie has 
tackled some of humanity's most pressing issues with innovation, 
compassion, and professionalism. On its stages and in its classrooms, 
the Guthrie brings people of all walks of life together to laugh, cry, 
and contemplate some of life's deepest questions.

[[Page 8441]]

  I hope you will join me as I say thank you to Joe Dowling for his 20 
remarkable years of service to the Guthrie Theater, the people of the 
State of Minnesota, and the United States of America.

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