Austin Pendleton to Receive Active Theater's 2012 Arts Award, 6/6

Actor, playwright and director AUSTIN PENDLETON will be the recipient of the 2012 ACTIVE ARTS AWARD, it was announced today by Nathaniel Shaw, Artistic Director of The Active Theater.  A ceremony will take place on Monday, June 4^th at the Active Theater's Spring Gala at the Whaler Lounge at the Madison Towers Hotel (22 East 38^th Street).

Last year's recipient Estelle Parsons is currently on Broadway in Nice Work if You Can Get It.  Tickets for The Active Theater's Spring Gala are $100 and can be purchased at www.TheActiveTheater.com/events .

Austin Pendleton has been seen on Broadway in The Diary of Anne Frank and Grand Hotel. He has appeared in the first New York productions of Oh Dad, Poor Dad..., Fiddler on the Roof, Hail Scrawdyke (Derwent Award), The Last Sweet Days of Isaac (Obie Award),The Sorrows of Frederick, Doubles, The Imposter, The Loop and Sophistry, and in the title roles of Off-Broadway productions of Hamlet, Richard III, Uncle Vanya, Keats and Jeremy Rudge. He is a playwright (Orson's Shadow, Booth and Uncle Bob), director (Spoils of War, The Runner Stumbles and Elizabeth Taylor in The Little Foxes), teacher (HB Studio), and member of Chicago's Steppenwolf Ensemble. His film credits include "What's Up Doc?", "Trial and Error," "The Associate," "The Mirror Has Two Faces," Mr. and Mrs. Bridge," "The Proprietor," "Guarding Tess," "The Fifteen Minute Hamlet," "Catch-22" and "Amistad." TV credits include "Fired Up," "Frasier" and "Tracey Takes On." He began his career, and has acted and directed many times, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.  Recently, Mr. Pendleton directed "Bus Stop" at The Olney Theatre and "Golden Age" at the Philadelphia Theater Company. Austin Pendleton currently teaches acting at the HB Studio and directing at The New School, both in New York City. There is a documentary film in production on his life and work called  "The Austin Pendleton Project: Where The Work Is".

In addition to the award ceremony and tribute to the guest of honor, the evening will feature live performances from members of The Active Theater, live musical entertainment, food and beverages. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Active Theater's upcoming 2012-2013 season.

The Active Arts Award honors exemplary achievement in the theater arts as well as a commitment to; and support of emerging artists and theater companies. The recipient is determined through a nominating process that includes The Active Theater staff, Board of Directors, and respected collaborators. "We are thrilled to present Austin Pendleton with the second annual Active Arts Award," says Nathaniel Shaw, Artistic Director of The Active Theater. "Mr. Pendleton has left an indelible mark on the American theater landscape and, in doing so, has positively influenced the community in which we work and create." 

Tickets for The Active Theater's Spring Gala are $100 and can be purchased at www.TheActiveTheater.com/events .