Kazan And Esper Win Calrence Derwent Awards

 Zoe Kazan and Michael Esper, both recently seen on stage in Manhattan Theatre Club productions, have won Actors' Equity Foundation's 63rd Annual Clarence Derwent Awards. The awards, which honor the most promising female and male performers on the New York metropolitan scene, will be presented on June 10.

Zoe Kazan was recognized for her performance in three productions from the 2007-2008 season, including Manhattan Theatre Club's Come Back, Little Sheba; The New Group's Things We Want and Playwrights Horizons' 100 Saints You Should Know. Michael Esper, who was last scene on stage in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Four of Us, was honored for his performance in Playwrights Horizons' Crazy Mary.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country's most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. MTC productions have earned a total of 16 Tony Awards and five Pulitzer Prizes as well as numerous other awards. Renowned MTC productions include LoveMusik; Blackbird; Translations; Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Kimberly Akimbo; Love! Valour! Compassion!; Sylvia; Four Dogs and a Bone; Putting It Together; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain't Misbehavin'.

In 2003, MTC reopened Broadway's landmark, long-neglected Biltmore Theatre, following a two-year, $35 million capital campaign. In addition to the Biltmore, MTC operates two theatres at New York City Center, its Off-Broadway home since 1984.

During Meadow's sabbatical this season, Daniel Sullivan, a close associate of MTC and director of several Manhattan Theatre Club productions (Rabbit Hole, Brooklyn Boy, Sight Unseen, Proof, Psychopathia Sexualis), is serving as Acting Artistic Director. Sullivan will continue consulting with Meadow and MTC's artistic staff on the planning of the 2007-2008 season. Meadow will return to MTC for the 2008-2009 season and will consult on the planning of that season.

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Zoe Kazan made her Broadway debut this season in the role of Marie in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of Come Back, Little Sheba. Off-Broadway credits include Things We Want, The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (The New Group); 100 Saints You Should Know (Playwrights Horizons). TV/Film: "Medium," Fracture, The Savages, In The Valley Of Elah; upcoming: August, and Revolutionary Road (dir. Sam Mendes).

Michael Esper most recently appeared in the role of David in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Four of Us. He also appeared at the McCarter in Edward Albee's Me Myself and I. NY: Crazy Mary and Manic Flight Reaction (Playwrights Horizons), subUrbia (Second Stage), The Agony and the Agony (Vineyard), As You Like It (NYSF/Public Theater), Big Bill (Lincoln Center), Gone Missing (Zipper), Moon Bath Girl (EST). Regional: Long Day's Journey Into Night (dir. Garry Hines, Gaeity Theatre, Dublin), Blur (Dallas Theater Center), American Buffalo (Two River), Henry Flamethrowa (Trinity Rep), Drawer Boy (Penguin Rep.). Film: Bittersweet Place (dir. Alexandra Brodsky), Loggerheads (dir. Tim Kirkman), Light and the Sufferer (dir. Chris Peditto). Michael attended the B.F.A. program at Rutgers University. Associate Artist of The Civilians.