Bill T. Jones discusses his work at the U of Md.

Celebrated gay stage director and choreographer Bill T. Jones (Fela!, Spring Awakening), among other hats, sits down for a wide-ranging discussion about his life and work for a Dean's Lecture at the University of Maryland on the set of the school's production of Rent. Recipient of four Tony Awards, a MacArthur "Genius" Award and the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, Jones is also noted for his outspokenness on matters of being black, gay and HIV-positive in America. This should be a fascinating chat, with Leigh Smiley of Maryland's School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies. Best of all, it's free. Monday, Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center's Ina and Jack Kay Theatre, University of Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium Drive. College Park. Tickets are free. Call 301-405-ARTS or visit claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

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