Michael Merritt Design Awards April 21

The 15th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring nationally renowned sound designer David Budries, will take place on Monday, April 21, at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Yondorf Hall. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the second annual 'Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review.  

Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, "Designers and Directors: Styles of Collaboration" with the awardees and past Merritt Award recipients from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the awards presentation will begin at 8 p.m. 

Other awardees include set designer Kevin Depinet who will receive The Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award, and student scholarship recipients – Samantha Umstead (costume design major) from The Theatre School of DePaul University, Chantal Calato (costume design major) from Northwestern University and Jessica Harpenau (lighting design major) from Columbia College Chicago for The John Murbach Scholarship for Collaborative Design.  

Patrons will enjoy a Chicago style buffet by Conn's Catering, beer, wine and soda reception from start to finish and the evening's festivities will continue from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person, $15 for members of the theater community and $5 for students; and a $25 fee for all participating exhibitors. For reservations, phone (312) 344-6105 (credit card orders are accepted) OR email mbadger@colum.edu. 

Steppenwolf's Yondorf Hall is located on the second floor of their administrative building located at 758 West North Avenue (northeast corner of North and Halsted in Chicago); parking is available for $9 at their Halsted Street Garage. The Michael Merritt Endowment Fund was established in 1993 in honor of the memory Michael Merritt, "a brilliant designer, an inspiring teacher and good friend who died in 1992 at the age of 47."