WINSTON-SALEM – North Carolina School of the Arts alumna Missi Pyle, most recently seen as Mrs. Beauregarde in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, will be a guest artist at her alma mater on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Pyle, a Tennessee native who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from the NCSA School of Drama in 1995, will speak to current drama students at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 17 in the Proscenium Thrust Theatre, Performance Place, on the NCSA campus, 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem.

Pyle also has been seen as Mildred in BIG FISH, Barbara in SOUL PLANE, Ashley in BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, Vera in HOME ALONE 4, Alexandra Cabot in JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS, Thermian Laliari in GALAXY QUEST, and Café 24 Waitress in AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

(Unfortunately, she will miss the activities this weekend – Nov. 13 – surrounding the visit of BIG FISH producer Bruce Cohen, co-sponsored by NCSA and Wake Forest University. For more information, see www.ncarts.edu/pressreleases/Tips2005/Nov2005/cohenbigfish.htm.)

Pyle’s upcoming films include STORMBREAKER with Ewan McGregor and Mickey Rourke, MOHAVE PHONE BOOTH with Annabeth Gish and David DeLuise, JUST MY LUCK with Lindsay Lohan, and AMERICAN CRUDE with John C. McGinley and Rob Schneider.

Pyle also has been featured in several TV favorites including “Mad About You” (final episode), “Friends,” “Ally McBeal” (Barry Manilow episode), “Frasier,” and, most recently, “My Name is Earl” (“Broke Joy’s Fancy Figurine” episode).

Media: This event is not open to the general public. However, if you are interested in attending the event or interviewing Missi Pyle, please contact Marla Carpenter in the public relations office at 336-770-3337 or carpem@ncarts.edu.