THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - Actress Melissa Gilbert will talk to California Lutheran University students and the community at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, as part of the “Conversations With … “ series.

The third in a series of informal discussions with actors on their craft will be held in the Preus-Brandt Forum on the Thousand Oaks campus. Actor, writer and director Markus Flanagan, who teaches at CLU, will be the moderator for a one-hour talk followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Gilbert, the youngest person to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is best known for playing Laura Ingalls on the television series “Little House on the Prairie” from 1974 to 1983. She received the Young Artists Award for Best Young Actress in a Drama Series in 1983 and 1984 for her work on the series.

With Hollywood connections in her adopted family and a natural ability for entertaining, Gilbert started appearing in commercials as a child. Since the late 1970s, she has starred in more than 45 television movies and miniseries including “The Miracle Worker,” “Splendor in the Grass” and “Choices of the Heart.” She played Ma Ingalls in “Little House on the Prairie: The Musical” from 2008 to 2010. She has appeared in several television shows, from “Babylon 5” to “Nip/Tuck.”

Gilbert served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition. She released her autobiography, “Prairie Tale,” in 2009.

Flanagan, a 24-year veteran in the industry, has appeared in 10 movies and more than 100 TV shows. He also lectures for acting programs throughout the country.

Flanagan’s 2007 book, “One Less Bitter Actor: The Actor’s Survival Guide,” explains how to make it in the business of acting while staying sane and focused. The “Conversations With …” talks at CLU take the same approach, providing theatre arts students and other aspiring actors with advice from professionals.

Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the CLU Theatre Arts Department.

Preus-Brandt Forum is located south of Olsen Road near Mountclef Boulevard.

For more information, call (805) 493-3415 or e-mail dramadpt@callutheran.edu.