Joan Cushing Receives Imagination Award

At Imagination Stage's 2011 Gala on October 22, Joan Cushing, playwright, performer, writer, lyricist, and political satirist, was honored by the Imagination Award for her work in creating new musicals for young audiences. She was introduced and welcomed by satirist, CBS correspondent, and Imagination Stage alumnus and board member, Mo Rocca. The award was presented to Cushing by Board Treasurer Cathy Bernard.

In 2000, Cushing agreed to adapt the book Miss Nelson is Missing for Imagination Stage's White Flint theatre. This was the beginning of a wonderful, extensive collaboration. Her show Junie B. Jones & A Little Monkey Business inaugurated Imagination Stage's new theatre in 2003. In all, Cushing has adapted 13 popular children's books as stage musicals, nearly half of which have been commissioned by Imagination Stage (Miss Nelson is Missing; Miss Nelson Has a Field Day; Junie B. Jones & A Little Monkey Business; Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood; Heidi -with Martha King De Silva; and George and Martha: Tons of Fun.) Her work has received over 350 productions in the U.S., Europe, and in China and has also achieved three national tours.

According to TYA Today, Cushing is the most produced playwright in children's theatre in America, and Miss Nelson is Missing is the most produced play in children's theatre history.

In her presentation remarks, Bernard said "One very important reason I support Imagination Stage as a board member and a patron is because I appreciate this organization's national prominence in its commissioning of more than 40 new plays for young audiences in the past 18 years. Imagination Stage's commitment to bringing high quality theatre to young audiences means a lot of joy for children and families who come to the theater here today...it also means that we are growing a generation of children who will grow up to support theatre when they are adults."

In her acceptance speech, Cushing said, "The key to my success with this theatre is the way we collaborate. Janet Stanford and Kate Bryer are a perfect team.... They provide a really great atmosphere for artists like myself. They are also brilliant at developing new works...I am amazed at what these two women have pulled out of me. They help me to cut, simplify, and focus. I love working here. It has almost become a second home to me."

Cushing started her professional career teaching second grade and moonlighting at Mr. Smith's Piano Bar in Georgetown. Before adapting popular children's books for theatre, she was best known for her political satirical revue Mrs. Foggybottom & Friends, which ran for 10 hit years at the Omni-Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

With the Imagination Award, Imagination Stage recognizes an accomplished arts or humanities professional whose leadership, passion, discipline, and commitment to the larger community exemplify the ideals which Imagination Stage strives to impart to children. Past recipients include Dennis Haysbert (2003), Christopher Reeve (2004), Dr. Jane Goodall (2005), Joe Fab (2006), and Maureen McGovern (2007).

About the Imagination Stage Gala

The event, chaired by Melissa and Scott Lesmes and Margo and Michael Sadow, raised $278,000. Proceeds benefit Imagination Stage's theatre and arts education programs, which reach more than 100,000 children and families in the Washington, D.C. region each year. The evening kicked-off with a pre-show reception and silent auction and featured an original performance by Imagination Stage students and professional actors. The evening concluded with a celebratory buffet reception, generously provided by Ridgewells Catering.

About Imagination Stage

Imagination Stage is the largest and most respected multi-disciplinary theatre arts organization for young people in the Mid-Atlantic region. It offers a year-round season of professional shows (adult actors performing for families and schools), after-school programs and summer camps for ages 1-18, and arts-integration professional development training for teachers, students, schools and families. All of its programs are informed by the core belief in making the arts inclusive and accessible to all children, regardless of their physical, cognitive or financial status. The theatre welcomes nearly 100,000 audience members each year and 4,000 students.

Photographer: Daniel Cima

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