Theatre Education Barrymore Award Nominations Announced

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia announced the nominees for the Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service at a press conference on Monday, August 2nd at New Freedom Theatre. The nominees are 1812 Production's 1812 Outreach, B. Someday Productions' Of Mythic Proportions, and Philadelphia Young Playwrights' Annual Playwriting Festival. The recipient will be announced at the Barrymore Awards Ceremony on Monday, October 4th at 7:00 PM at the Walnut Street Theatre.

1812 Productions' 1812 Outreach is a unique in-school theatre education program for at-risk students at The Widener School for Children with Disabilities and South Philadelphia High School. 1812 Outreach uses arts to enrich and further academic, social, interpersonal and creative skills. The program specifically uses comedy to challenge students' abilities and imaginations.

B. Someday Productions' Of Mythic Proportions provides opportunities for young people of Kensington to create and perform an original theater piece and to share it with the community. To combat the violence in their lives, the program utilizes yoga as a pro-peace means of creation, empowering students to envision a positive existence of themselves.

Philadelphia Young Playwrights' Annual Playwriting Festival is a multi-faceted program providing a platform to nurture and share student voices. In addition to tapping the potential of youth and inspiring learning through playwriting, the program also engages the community at large to listen and respond respectfully to these voices.

"This award promotes the participation of theatres and theatre artists beyond the stage and into the community by providing innovative theatre and educational experiences for underserved citizens," said Education Award panel member, Varissa McMickens, Director, ArtsRising. "This is especially important for our children and youth...the artists and audiences of tomorrow."

In selecting the award recipient, attention is paid to the project that best demonstrates a significant and lasting impact on the program's participants; interaction with the participants; the teaching of new skills and/or enhancement of cultural awareness; inclusion and representation of diverse cultures and/or socio-economic levels; action as a vehicle for betterment in the community; and accessibility to the community. The applications were read by a panel of theatre educators and administrators including Jay Berkowitz, Associate Professor of Theatre, West Chester University Department of Theatre & Dance; Nan Gilbert, Theatre Manager, Mandell Theater, Drexel University; Marlene Goebig, Theatre Teacher, Philadelphia High School for the Creative & Performing Arts; Varissa McMickens, Director, ArtsRising; Betsy Riley, Executive Assistant to the Chief Cultural Officer, Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy; Pearl Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, University of the Arts; and Roberta Sloan, Professor and Head of Theater Education, Temple University's Department of Theater.

Major support for the Barrymore Awards is provided by Actors' Equity Association, The Charlotte Cushman Foundation, The CHG Charitable Trust, Clear Sound, CRW Graphics, Drucker & Scaccetti, P.C., Earl Girls Theatrical Equipment, Garfield Refining Company, Independence Foundation, PECO, The Virginia Brown Martin Fund, William Penn Foundation, and The Wyncote Foundation.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theatre community, by promoting awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development and advocacy. Tickets for the Barrymore Awards Ceremony and more information are available online at www.phillytheatretix.com or by calling (215) 413-7150.

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