Masterworks Theater Company to Sponsor New York Thespians State Festival

Masterworks Theater Company (Eric Krebs, Founding Director; Christopher Scott, Artistic Director; Frankie Dailey, Managing Director), has just announced its partnership with the New York Thespians as it sponsors the 2015 NY Thespians State Festival as part of the Annual New York Educational Theatre Festival on April 25, 2015 at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

The upcoming Masterworks Theater Company's season will feature a multi-cultural production of THE GLASS MENAGERIE and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. As part of the sponsorship, Masterworks will present a series of workshops at the festival that will further expand of the themes and styles of this year's productions. Additionally, students attending the festival will receive free admission to either production and finally Masterworks Theater Company will present the first ever Masterworks Scholarship in the amount of $2000 to be presented to a deserving graduating senior.

"With funding for the arts in schools constantly being cut, it is extremely important that we help support those young people who have found a home in or around the stage. New York Thespians offers those students a place to share their talents with other similarly minded kids. In addition to making great classics accessible to audiences of all ages, Masterworks Theater Company is also proud to support the New York Thespians with the first ever Masterworks Scholarship. " Founding Director, Eric Krebs

"New York Thespians is thrilled to partner with Masterworks Theater Company in celebrating classic plays and their significance to theatre and education. Masterworks is making a new scholarship available to a graduating high school senior who exhibits an accomplished level of knowledge in classic work and its importance." New York Thespians

Masterworks Theater Company is a professional equity theater company whose repertoire will include the masterworks of the theater (plays, musicals and stage adaptation of novels) that every young person should have an opportunity to experience. These works are often part of the students' required reading. Masterworks Theater Company will offer a school-friendly schedule with affordable ticket prices with performances taking place at Times Square's 47th Street Theater (304 West 47th Street).

New York Thespians is a chapter of the Educational Theatre Association which sponsors the International Thespian Society. Thespian troupes are chartered in public and private schools through the country. New York Thespians has troupes all across New York in both public and private schools, representing excellence in theatre education.

Beginning in May of 2015 Masterworks Theater Company will present the first of its masterworks, Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE (May) followed by Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (June). In addition to the live theatrical experience, Masterworks Theater Company will also offer study-guides as well as teacher workshops with each production to help enrich the student's experience.

Directed by Christopher Scott, THE GLASS MENAGERIE will feature Saundra Santiago ("The Sopranos"), Richard Prioleau (HBO's "A Normal Heart") as Tom, Olivia Washington (Lee Daniels' The Butler), as Laura, and Doug Harris (The Found Dog Ribbon Dance) as Jim. The play will begin May 8 and Open on Thursday, May 14 running through May 30. MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM directed by Tamilla Woodard, will run June 5 through June 28 cast TBA at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47thStreet).