Michael Shannon Receives 2009 Award For Excellence In Arts 4/28

The Theatre School at DePaul University is pleased to announce that Michael Shannon (actor, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD, BUG) will join Angela Bassett (actress, NOTORIOUS, WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, ER) and Theatre School alumnus DENNIS DUGAN (director, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY, BIG DADDY) as a recipient of the 2009 Award for Excellence in the Arts on Tuesday, April 28, 2009.

Michael Shannon's work has graced the stage in London's West End as well as in NY. Shannon's career started in Chicago; where he appeared at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the Goodman Theatre and A Red Orchid Theatre, among others. Some of his film credits include 8 MILE, BUG, BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD, VANILLA SKY, and REVOLUTIONARY TOAD, in which his work as John Givings earned him a nomination as Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2009 Academy Awards.

Theatre School alumnus P.J. BYRNE (actor BE KIND, REWIND, CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR) will serve as the emcee for the evening's festivities. Mr. Byrne can also be seen in his current reoccurring role on the CW series THE GAME, and has extensive film, television and commercial credits. He received his Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

The Theatre School is pleased to present the Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts to BILL KURTIS and DONNA LA PIETRA of Kurtis Productions, Ltd. David B. Speer will be accepting the 2009 Corporate Award for Excellence in the Arts on behalf of ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

The 2009 Awards for Excellence in the Arts will be held on April 28, 2009 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago. All proceeds from the event directly benefit The Theatre School Scholarship Fund.