Unicorn Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin Awarded National Honor

Unicorn Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin will be honored with the Kathryn V. Lamkey Award from the Actor's Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage managers. Equity's Spirit, A Celebration of Diversity event, is held March 12th, in Chicago at the Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier. It is presented annually by the National Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Committee. The Lamkey Award, or the "Kathy", is named after longtime Equity Central Regional Director, Kathryn V. Lamkey and honors theatre companies, individuals, producers, and organizations that provide ongoing opportunities for underrepresented members in the Central Region. The award will also be given to The Black Repertory of Kansas City's Artistic Director Damron Russel Armstrong, showing that Kansas City is a growing town of diverse unique talent.

Levin says "Receiving an award from Actors' Equity alone would be an amazing honor but to receive it from the Equal Opportunity Committee for our commitment to endorse goals of diversity and inclusion is one of the most important and humbling awards I could ever hope for."

The Unicorn illuminates social issues by shining a light on diversity and inclusive stories which include race, religion, and gender identity. Unicorn creates opportunities for the advancement of emerging and established actors, directors, playwrights, designers, technicians and administrative staff. Levin was offered the job of Artistic Director in December 1982. She started negotiations with AEA soon after, and the theatre joined under one of the first SPT contracts in 1984. She also joined the union as an actor/stage manager.

Cynthia Levin has been working with Unicorn Theatre for 39 seasons as the Producing Artistic Director. Over the years she has served as a director, actor, designer or producer for over 300 productions. She is a graduate of Park University, which also awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in 2002. She is a founding board member of the National New Play Network, an organization dedicated to the development and production of new works. Cynthia was chosen as one of Ingram's Magazine's "Local Heroes", she has been honored with the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Human Rights Campaign Equality Award, and the GLAAD Leadership Award.

Founded in 1974, Unicorn Theatre enhances the Kansas City community by developing and producing high-quality, thought-provoking plays that have never been seen in the region. We illuminate social issues by shining a light on diversity and inclusive stories which include race, religion and gender identity. Unicorn creates opportunities for the advancement of emerging and established actors, directors, playwrights, designers, technicians and administrative staff. Unicorn Theatre is under the artistic and executive leadership of Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin, who joined the company in 1979. From a newly expanded home in the Midtown neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, the Unicorn houses two stages-The Levin Stage (formerly The Main Stage) and The Jerome Stage (added in 2008). After a year-long capital campaign Unicorn Theatre was able to purchase the building outright in 2014. A fully professional not-for-profit theatre, the theatre operates under agreement with Actor's Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The Unicorn is a founding member of the National New Play Network, an alliance of not-for-profit professional theatres that champions the development, production and continued life of new plays for the American theatre; and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. Financial assistance for this theatre has been provided by The National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; corporate and foundation gifts; and the generous individuals throughout the community we serve.

To learn more about the current season please call 816-531-PLAY (7529) EXT. 10, go online at www.UnicornTheatre.org or buy in person during box office hours located at 3828 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111.

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