Justin Bartha, Jonathan Groff, et al. Set to Present 2011 Artios Awards

The Casting Society of America will fête their own tonight at the 27th Annual Artios Awards®. The bi-coastal award ceremonies will be held simultaneously at the The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles (reception will commence at 5:45 p.m. PDT) and at District 36 in New York (reception will commence at 5:30 p.m. EDT). For ticket information, please call (212) 868-1260 , or (323) 463-1925 , or visit artios@castingsociety.com.

The ceremony in New York will be hosted by Michael Urie with participating award presenters Justin Bartha, Bobby Canavale, Alan Cumming, Rachel Griffths, Jonathan Groff, Mamie Gummer, John Larroquette, Lucy Liu, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Patina Miller, Hunter Parrish, Lily Rabe, Daniel Radcliffe, Brooke Shields, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bernard Telsey, and Ben Walker, among others.

Presented yearly for outstanding achievement in casting, awards are given on the criteria of originality, creativity and contribution of casting to the overall quality of a project. The term "Artios" is from the ancient Greek word meaning "perfectly fitted."

Each year, in addition to the awards presented to casting directors for their achievements in Theatre, Television and Film casting, the Casting Society of America also recognizes industry notables with a Career Achievement Award, given in recognition of the recipient's contribution to the industry as a whole and their inclusion of the casting director in the overall creative process; The New York Apple Award, given in recognition from the casting community to an individual who has made a special commitment to the New York entertainment industry through collaboration with casting directors; and bestows the Hoyt Bowers Award on one of its own, given for outstanding contribution to the casting profession. Hoyt Bowers was a brilliant casting director and a supportive mentor. He created an atmosphere in which creativity could flourish.

This year's honorees are: In NY, Academy Award®-winner Whoppi Goldberg will take home the New York Apple Award, in LA, Dick Wolf will receive the Career Achievement Award, and Meg Liberman, the Hoyt Bowers Award.

Mike Nichols will present the 2011 New York Apple Award to honoree Academy Award®-winner, Whoopi Goldberg.

The Artios Awards® were first given in 1985 to honor excellence in casting and the ceremony was held in the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel, and was attended by 500 industry leaders. The first New York awards were given in 1988.

The CSA is the premiere organization of theatrical casting directors in film, television, and theatre, and is passionately committed to establishing a recognized standard of professionalism in the industry, enhancing the stature of the profession in the industry, freely exchanging information and ideas among members, providing the opportunity to honor the outstanding achievements of its - members, and providing members with professional support and resources. CSA members are a united professional society that consistently set the level of professionalism in casting on which the entertainment industry has come to rely. With more than 425 members, the CSA has representation not only in the United States, but also in Canada, England, and Australia. For more information, or to become a member, visit www.castingsociety.com.