World-famous journalists, as well as royalty, will visit NIU in the upcoming weeks to participate in the school of Theatre and Dance’s two-week Theatre in Context Festival.

One of the most respected people in television journalism, Bill Kurtis, and Prince Norodom Sirivudh of Cambodia, are among the speakers for the festival. The festival goes hand in hand with the school of Theatre and Dance’s play and U.S. premier of, “The Terrible but Unfinished Story of Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia.”

The festival began on Monday with the viewing of “The Killing Fields,” in the Sandburg Auditorium, and continues until April 7.

The festival focuses on the southeast Asian country of Cambodia and an event that surrounded it during the rule of King Sihanouk, in which 1 in every 4 Cambodians were killed during mass genocide.

David Booth, marketing director for the School of Theatre and Dance, said it’s the school’s first ever attempt at a festival.

Programs will include lectures, concerts, symposiums and panel discussions, all of which will be at various locations around campus. The programs will feature various professors, scholars and researchers from all over the country.

Kurtis will lead a discussion on his investigative work, “The Return to the Killing Fields,” which will take place on Saturday 2 to 5 p.m., and those attending must R.S.V.P.

Prince Sirivudh, the half-brother of King Sihanouk, will lead an open panel discussion at 1 p.m. March 30 in the Music Building, room 173.

The NIU art museum also is getting involved in the celebration. Since earlier this month, and running until April 6, “Cambodia Examined: Inside-Out” has been on display in the Jack Olson Memorial Gallery.

The festival intends to demonstrate that no other art forms possess the theater’s innate potential for building communities and for exploring and putting into context the full range of human experience in all its diversity.

Earn $400 for Grant fire info

NIU TipLine officials are offering a $400 reward for information about a March 7 fire in Grant D-Tower’s basement elevator lobby.

The fire originated in a plastic ventilation ceiling tile, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage. Smoke traveled to the floors above, and one person was taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital for smoke inhalation.

Those with information can call the TipLine at 753-TIPS. Callers remain anonymous, and rewards are given when information leads to an arrest or a judicial finding of guilt.