Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, Cherry Jones, Anika Noni Rose, Mark Rylance Among Motion Picture Academy Invitees

There are several notable Broadway names among the 683 filmmakers, artists and executives who have been invited this year to join membership ranks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Among them are Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, Cherry Jones, Anika Noni Rose and Mark Rylance. Others on the list include LorEtta Devine, Broadway's original Lorrell Robinson in DREAMGIRLS, MAMMA MIA director Phyllida Lloyd and the most recent ruler of the now-concluded Lincoln Center revival of THE KING AND I, Daniel Dae Kim.

As Academy members, each would be eligible to vote for the annual Oscars.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs writes on the organization's website, "We're proud to welcome these new members to the Academy, and know they view this as an opportunity and not just an invitation, a mission and not just a membership."

Academy membership is limited to film artists working in the production of theatrically-released motion pictures. The Academy has 17 branches, for the crafts ranging from Actors to Writers, and two categories, Members-at-Large and Associates to accommodate individuals who work in motion picture production but do not fit into one of the branches.

The Academy's membership process is by sponsorship, not application. Candidates must be sponsored by two Academy members from the branch to which the candidate seeks admission. Additionally, Academy Award nominees are automatically considered for membership and do not require sponsors. Nominees and sponsored candidates are reviewed by branch committees and recommendations for membership are considered by the Academy's Board of Governors. The Board decides which individuals will receive invitations.

The Academy points out that 46% of the new members invited are women, which would raise female membership from 25% to 27%. Additionally, 41% of the nominees are people of color, which would raise that percentage from 8% to 11%.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's preeminent movie related organization, comprised of 7,000+ accomplished men and women working in cinema. The Academy seeks to recognize and uphold excellence in the motion picture arts and sciences, inspiring imagination, and connecting the world through the medium of motion pictures. Visit Oscars.org.

Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole are currently in previews at Chicago's Goodman Theatre as cosmetics titans Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden in the new musical WAR PAINT, opening July 18. Visit goodmantheatre.org.

Betty Buckley stars with Rachel York in CTG/Ahmanson Theatre's production of GREY GARDENS, opening July 13th. Visit centertheatregroup.org.