“SNL” director Beth McCarthy Miller to speak at WFU

McCarthy Miller is a four-time Emmy Award nominee and a Cable Ace and two-time DGA (Director’s Guild of America) Award winner. She is currently in her ninth season as director of “Saturday Night Live” and is directing a one-hour Shania Twain music special to air on NBC Nov. 26 through her company Catalyst Entertainment.

On SNL, she has staged hosts such as Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey and Jack Nicholson as well as numerous musical performances ranging from Garth Brooks and the Smashing Pumpkins to Whitney Houston and Luciano Pavoratti.

Some of McCarthy Miller’s specials include “SNL’s 25th Anniversary Show,” “NBC’s 75th Anniversary Special,” “America: A Tribute to Heroes” and the “Super Bowl 35 Half-Time Show.”

McCarthy Miller began her career in 1985 as an intern at MTV. She worked as an assistant to the line producer and then began directing in 1988. During her nine years with MTV, she was the eyes behind many of MTV’s most successful shows and specials, including the acclaimed “Unplugged” series with performances from Nirvana, Neil Young, Tony Bennett and kd lang.

In 1998, McCarthy Miller created Catalyst Entertainment with Carol Donovan, a former colleague from MTV. Together, they have completed projects such as the 1999 Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremonies, a two-hour Shania Twain concert on NBC and the current Shania Twain music special.

McCarthy Miller earned a degree in radio, television and film from the University of Maryland.

The lecture is sponsored by the Student Union. For more information, contact the Student Union at 336-758-5697.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Beth McCarthy Miller is available for interviews. To arrange an interview or coverage of the event, contact Pam Barrett at 336-758-5237.