Theatricum Announces 2013 Israel Baran Award Winner

"Botanicum Seedlings," Theatricum Botanicum's development series for playwrights, is pleased to announce the recipient of the 4th Annual "Izzy" Award. The winning play, Recipe by Michael Gene Sullivan, was first presented as part of last year's spring playreadings. The Izzy is named for Theatricum's late dramaturg, Israel Baran, who passed away in 2007. To honor Israel's keen mind, sharp tongue, and ear for language (despite the fact that he was frustratingly deaf), the Izzy was established to recognize the Seedlings play that "speaks to us the loudest."

Sullivan's comedy is about members of a vigilantly progressive baking circle who raise funds for revolutionary causes. After its June playreading (directed by Jen Bloom and featuring company actors including Ellen Geer), Recipe was performed at Theatricum as a celebrity benefit. The August, 2012 staged reading was directed by Geer and starred Cloris Leachman, Amy Madigan, Wendie Malick, Jean Smart and Lisa Bonet.

"This is quite an honor!" says Sullivan, a critically acclaimed playwright based in San Francisco. "First it was super-cool to have the script read and directed by such a talented group of women at a socially aware theater, but now winning this award is unexpected, and wonderful icing on the cake. Which is appropriate for a show called Recipe!"

Since its inception in 2002, Botanicum Seedlings has established itself as a vital resource for writers across the country. The series has been instrumental in the development of over 100 new plays, at least 25 of which have gone on to be published, win awards and receive major productions.

In addition to its public playreadings (scheduled later in the summer), now produced by John Maidman, Seedlings recently added new programs for playwrights: writing workshops and dramaturgy led by Theatricum playwright-in-residence Jennie Webb.

The Seedlings Playwrights Workshop is a unique and highly focused play development workshop, limited to only six playwrights who want to clarify their vision and take their plays to the next level. At the end of four working sessions, each play in the Playwrights Workshop receives a Seedlings GreenRead with professional Theatricum actors, followed by a closely moderated dramaturgical discussion with workshop participants and Seedlings artists. The next session begins June 8; deadline is May 1 for playwrights to submit materials.

Seedlings now also offers Private Dramaturgy, a one-on-one session for playwrights ready to closely examine the successes and potential roadblocks within their plays, and devise a plan to move forward.

The Family Story Workshop provides an opportunity for family members of all ages to have fun together and work with a Theatricum artist to create a personal, theatrical narrative, which is then performed for friends and family.

Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a year full of events. For more information on Botanicum Seedlings and new programs for playwrights call (310) 455-2322 or visit www.theatricum.com. Visit us on facebook: www.facebook.com/theatricum. Follow us on twitter: @theatricum.