Theatre Wing To Air Special 'Horton Foote's America' on CUNY TV 3/6

The American Theatre Wing has announced that, in honor of the late playwright Horton Foote, they will air a special episode of their popular "Working in the Theater" series titled "Horton Foote's America."

The episode, which originally aired in 2007, features Foote talking about his early career as an actor, who was responsible for his becoming a playwright, how his connection to the past inspires his writing and what it was like to write for television's Golden Age. He's joined by four artists who have worked with him in recent years: his daughter, actress Hallie Foote; James Houghton, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director of Primary Stages; and Michael Wilson, Artistic Director of Hartford Stage.

This special episode will air Friday, March 6 at 9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 7 at 11:00 a.m. and is currently available at www.americantheatrewing.org for download as a podcast.

On Sunday, March 8 at 5:00 p.m., the newest episode of "Working in the Theatre," titled "Consolation and Provocation: Playwrights 2009," will feature an impressive panel of this generation's playwrights. Special guests include playwrights Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw at Second Stage), Stephen Adly Guirgis (Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train), Tina Howe (Chasing Manet at Primary Stages), Lisa Loomer (Distracted at Roundabout) and Christopher Shinn (Hedda Gabler at Roundabout). The program, moderated by American Theatre Wing Executive Director Howard Sherman, will air on CUNY TV beginning Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. (with additional airings March 13, 14 and 15 - check local listings).

It will be also be available for viewing and for download as a podcast at www.americantheatrewing.org beginning March 11, 2009.

In "Consolation and Provocation: Playwrights 2009," the writers explore a wide range of provocative questions including: Do they write to console or provoke an audience? To what degree do current events, including the election of a new president and the economic freefall, affect their work? Who do they write for? Can playwriting be taught?

An acclaimed fixture on New York television and in the theatre community for 30 years, the American Theatre Wing's "Working in the Theatre" offers an unprecedented forum for the meeting of theatrical minds. Bringing together performers, directors, playwrights, designers, choreographers, producers and behind-the-scenes personnel from the American and international theatre, the program offers a rare opportunity for students and audiences to see the people who create theatre engaged in thoughtful conversation with one another. With more than 600 past guests, "Working in the Theatre" has become an unequalled archive of theatrical talk, a chance to hear from the people behind the characters, stories and productions that draw us to the theatre.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. In addition to "Working in the Theatre," the Wing's other activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre, include "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants and scholarship program to New York City schools and not-for-profit theatre companies, which has awarded nearly $3 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; and SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC.

Visitors to www.americantheatrewing.org can view or download an archive of "Working in the Theatre" and the career guides and listen to archive episodes of the hour-long interview series "Downstage Center", all as free, on-demand streaming audio and podcast.

For additional information about "Working in the Theater" and all American Theatre Wing programs, go to www.americantheatrewing.org.