‘Modern Family’ Star Coming to Muncie

(photo courtesy Ball State University)

One of the stars of the hit comedy “Modern Family” will be in Muncie this weekend. Five-time Emmy nominee Jesse Tyler Ferguson will serve as a visiting guest artist at Ball State University.

Ball State says Ferguson will give an “informal talkback” with a university audience and will spent a large portion of his time working closely with students in the Department of Theatre and Dance. An anonymous donor provided the funding to cover the cost of Ferguson’s visit and specifically requested the money be used to give acting students at the university the chance to work with a high-profile artist.

"We continue to feel so honored to have active professionals like Jesse Tyler Ferguson show an interest in the theater program we’ve built and continue to develop at Ball State," said Bill Jenkins, department chair. "We’re particularly excited for him to meet with the students in our acting program. I know that he will be impressed with their talent, dedication, and commitment to making the world a better place through their artistry."

Ferguson, also an accomplished stage performer, joins Broadway star Sutton Foster on the list of high-profile visitors to the Muncie campus. Earlier this year, Foster returned to co-direct "Shrek: The Musical" through the university’s theater department.

"Much like Sutton, Jesse has found success both on Broadway but also with a successful television series, and I think he’ll have some great wisdom to share about what it’s like to be a part of both those worlds," said Jenkins.