Jayne Houdeyshell and Elizabeth Marvel to Join David Strathairn and Ellyn Burstyn on Spring Panel at Sardi's, 3/22

Drama Desk will present its annual Spring Panel Discussion/Luncheon Friday, March 22, 2013 at Sardi's, 234 West 44th Street, NYC. Entitled "The Art of Storytelling," the panel will explore challenges actors face when bringing stories to life in front of an audience.

Among those who have expressed a desire to be a part of this exciting Panel are Ellen Burstyn (Picnic), Jayne Houdyshell (Dead Accounts), Elizabeth Marvel (Picnic) and David Strathairn (The Heiress). More to be announced soon.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Ronald Rand, Drama Desk member and founder/publisher of "The Soul of the American Actor" Newspaper. The luncheon event begins at 11:45 am. The Panel Discussion will run approximately from 1:15 to 2:30 pm.

Tickets, priced at $50 for members and $55 for guests/non-members may be purchased in advance by credit card at 212-352-3101 or online at https:// web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/9753063 until Tuesday, March 19 at 10 am. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway compete against each other in the same category. Formed in 1949 by a group of New York theater critics, editors, reporters, and publishers, the organization was formed to educate the community on vital issues concerning the theater.

In 1955, Drama Desk became the first major organization to honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway, with the Vernon Rice Awards, named for the late New York Post critic who had pioneered Off-Broadway coverage in the New York press. In 2012 Theatremania.com presented the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards. Drama Desk is currently led by President Isa Goldberg.

Panel participants are subject to change.