Spielberg and Siemer Launch Scholarship At Stella Adler

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting hosted its 4th annual Stella by Starlight gala benefit last night at Cipriani 23rd Street. Actor Martin Sheen accepted the Marlon Brando Award for a life committed to social activism and excellence in film art. His former "first lady," Stockard Channing, presented the award to Mr. Sheen, calling him one of the greatest actors of our time. Pamela J. Newman was given the Harold Clurman Spirit Award for courageous contribution to the culture of the City of New York and beyond; Ted Hartley of RKO Pictures presented the award. New York Post columnist, Liz Smith, accepted the Harold Clurman Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to the ennoblement of humanity through culture from HBO's Sheila Nevins.

The Studio also honored Roy Schieder, who recently passed away, with the Group Theatre Award for prolific achievement in the theater. Dr. Christiane Northrup presented the award to Mr. Scheider's wife, Brenda Siemer Scheider, and their son, Christian Scheider. Last evening also marked the inauguration of a scholarship fund in honor of Mr. Scheider. Director Steven Spielberg has pledged a challenge grant of $50,000 to launch the Roy Scheider Scholarship Endowment Fund. Also, Mr. Speilberg is joining Mrs. Scheider in sending a fundraising letter to major leaders in the entertainment industry and in the theater. The Fund will provide scholarships for inner-city, public school students to study at the Stella Adler Studio as part of the Stella Adler Outreach Division. Groups or individuals wishing to contribute to the Roy Scheirder Scholarship Endowment Fund can contact Nina Capelli at the Stella Adler Studio: (212) 689-0087 x27 or nina@stellaadler.com.

In addition to the honorees and presenters, guests included celebrities and notable members of the theater and entertainment industries. Also in attendance were: Kathleen Turner, Laura Linney, Holland Taylor, Tommy Tune, Jack O'Brien, Marian Seldes, Ben Brantley, David Amram, Sidney Lumet, Christine Ebersole, Anthony Zerbe, Casey Wilson and Dina Merrill.

Proceeds from Stella by Starlight will benefit the Studio's many programs including the Roy Scheider Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Stella Adler Outreach Division, which provides free training for inner-city youth. Stella by Starlight will also draw attention to the Studio's upcoming Capital Campaign to find a permanent home in New York City for the Stella Adler Studio. Funds also help sustain The Harold Clurman Lecture Series, which brings professional writers, directors, musicians, dancers and actors to the Stella Adler Studio. All of these programs help to keep the Stella Adler Studio a vital educational and cultural center for students, faculty and the entire cThe Stella Adler Studio of Acting hosted its 4th annual Stella by Starlight gala benefit last night at Cipriani 23rd Street. Actor Martin Sheen accepted the Marlon Brando Award for a life committed to social activism and excellence in film art. His former "first lady," Stockard Channing, presented the award to Mr. Sheen, calling him one of the greatest actors of our time. Pamela J. Newman was given the Harold Clurman Spirit Award for courageous contribution to the culture of the City of New York and beyond; Ted Hartley of RKO Pictures presented the award. New York Post columnist, Liz Smith, accepted the Harold Clurman Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to the ennoblement of humanity through culture from HBO's Sheila Nevins.

The Studio also honored Roy Schieder, who recently passed away, with the Group Theatre Award for prolific achievement in the theater. Dr. Christiane Northrup presented the award to Mr. Scheider's wife, Brenda Siemer Scheider, and their son, Christian Scheider. Last evening also marked the inauguration of a scholarship fund in honor of Mr. Scheider. Director Steven Spielberg has pledged a challenge grant of $50,000 to launch the Roy Scheider Scholarship Endowment Fund. Also, Mr. Speilberg is joining Mrs. Scheider in sending a fundraising letter to major leaders in the entertainment industry and in the theater. The Fund will provide scholarships for inner-city, public school students to study at the Stella Adler Studio as part of the Stella Adler Outreach Division. Groups or individuals wishing to contribute to the Roy Scheirder Scholarship Endowment Fund can contact Nina Capelli at the Stella Adler Studio: (212) 689-0087 x27 or nina@stellaadler.com.

In addition to the honorees and presenters, guests included celebrities and notable members of the theater and entertainment industries. Also in attendance were: Kathleen Turner, Laura Linney, Holland Taylor, Tommy Tune, Jack O'Brien, Marian Seldes, Ben Brantley, David Amram, Sidney Lumet, Christine Ebersole, Anthony Zerbe, Casey Wilson and Dina Merrill.

Proceeds from Stella by Starlight will benefit the Studio's many programs including the Roy Scheider Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Stella Adler Outreach Division, which provides free training for inner-city youth. Stella by Starlight will also draw attention to the Studio's upcoming Capital Campaign to find a permanent home in New York City for the Stella Adler Studio. Funds also help sustain The Harold Clurman Lecture Series, which brings professional writers, directors, musicians, dancers and actors to the Stella Adler Studio. All of these programs help to keep the Stella Adler Studio a vital educational and cultural center for students, faculty and the entire community.The Stella Adler Studio of Acting hosted its 4th annual Stella by Starlight gala benefit last night at Cipriani 23rd Street. Actor Martin Sheen accepted the Marlon Brando Award for a life committed to social activism and excellence in film art. His former "first lady," Stockard Channing, presented the award to Mr. Sheen, calling him one of the greatest actors of our time. Pamela J. Newman was given the Harold Clurman Spirit Award for courageous contribution to the culture of the City of New York and beyond; Ted Hartley of RKO Pictures presented the award. New York Post columnist, Liz Smith, accepted the Harold Clurman Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to the ennoblement of humanity through culture from HBO's Sheila Nevins.

The Studio also honored Roy Schieder, who recently passed away, with the Group Theatre Award for prolific achievement in the theater. Dr. Christiane Northrup presented the award to Mr. Scheider's wife, Brenda Siemer Scheider, and their son, Christian Scheider. Last evening also marked the inauguration of a scholarship fund in honor of Mr. Scheider. Director Steven Spielberg has pledged a challenge grant of $50,000 to launch the Roy Scheider Scholarship Endowment Fund. Also, Mr. Speilberg is joining Mrs. Scheider in sending a fundraising letter to major leaders in the entertainment industry and in the theater. The Fund will provide scholarships for inner-city, public school students to study at the Stella Adler Studio as part of the Stella Adler Outreach Division. Groups or individuals wishing to contribute to the Roy Scheirder Scholarship Endowment Fund can contact Nina Capelli at the Stella Adler Studio: (212) 689-0087 x27 or nina@stellaadler.com.

In addition to the honorees and presenters, guests included celebrities and notable members of the theater and entertainment industries. Also in attendance were: Kathleen Turner, Laura Linney, Holland Taylor, Tommy Tune, Jack O'Brien, Marian Seldes, Ben Brantley, David Amram, Sidney Lumet, Christine Ebersole, Anthony Zerbe, Casey Wilson and Dina Merrill.

Proceeds from Stella by Starlight will benefit the Studio's many programs including the Roy Scheider Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Stella Adler Outreach Division, which provides free training for inner-city youth. Stella by Starlight will also draw attention to the Studio's upcoming Capital Campaign to find a permanent home in New York City for the Stella Adler Studio. Funds also help sustain The Harold Clurman Lecture Series, which brings professional writers, directors, musicians, dancers and actors to the Stella Adler Studio. All of these programs help to keep the Stella Adler Studio a vital educational and cultural center for students, faculty and the entire community