(Updated March 17, 2020)

Northwest Missouri State University’s slate of spring lectures begins with a Maryville native who is a working Hollywood producer and continues with a civil rights activist in March and then a political scientist and a senior intelligence analyst in April.

The lecture series is free and open to the public.

Dave Neustadter, a Maryville native, will discuss his journey from Maryville High School to becoming a Hollywood producer at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.

“Dave Neustadter’s story is that of ‘the local-kid-done-good,’” Kenton Wilcox, the chair of the Distinguished Lecture Series Committee and an English instructor at the University, said. “After graduating from Maryville High School, he prepared hard for a career as a Hollywood executive. Whether our students want to learn details about what it takes to get a popular movie made or they want insight into how to get from college to their dream lives, Dave is eager to take their questions.”

As executive vice president of production at New Line Cinema, Neustadter’s credits include “Annabelle Comes Home,” the latest installation in “The Conjuring Universe,” which is the highest grossing horror franchise in history. His other recent projects include the critically-acclaimed global success “Shazam!” and hit films “The Curse of La Llorona,” “Isn’t It Romantic,” “The Nun,” “We’re The Millers,” “Tag,” “Game Night,” “The Disaster Artist” and “It.”

Neustadter, who began his career at New Line as an intern in 2003, is currently in pre-production on a highly anticipated film adaptation of “Mortal Kombat,” based on the legendary videogame franchise. Additional projects awaiting release include a female-fronted mob drama, “The Kitchen” and “It: Chapter Two.”

Northwest’s Distinguished Lecture Series seeks to enhance the academic environment through its exploration of interdisciplinary topics. Supported by the Office of the Provost and the SAC, the series presents the Northwest campus and surrounding communities with opportunities to hear from extraordinary individuals from around the globe. Scholars, world travelers and leaders in their fields visit the Northwest campus to share their wisdom, insight and experiences.