Photo Flash: American Theatre Wing Presents the 2009 Jonathan Larson Grants

For the first time, the American Theatre Wing presented the 2009 Jonathan Larson® Grants, recognizing emerging creators of musical theatre. The presentation featured the performance of a rarely heard Jonathan Larson work as well as performances of work by the 2009 Jonathan Larson® Grants Recipients Mark Allen, Dave Malloy, Thomas Mizer and Curtis Moore, and Ryan Scott Oliver, along with additional performances and recognition of work by the 2008 Jonathan Larson® Grants Recipients Gaby Alter, Susan DiLallo, Jordan Mann and Jeff Thomson, Joel New, and Jason Rhyne.

American Theatre Wing presented the 2009 Jonathan Larson Grants on Tuesday, March 17 at Touch 240 West 52nd Street, NYC (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue).

Originally administered by the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation (from 1997-2008), the Jonathan Larson Grants became a part of The Wing earlier this year, adding to the organization's storied history of programs designed to support theatre professionals at the beginning of their careers. Under the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation, more than 75 composers, lyricists and book writers were recognized at the start of their careers. Now, thanks to the resources of The Foundation and the Larson Family, countless more emerging artists will be acknowledged for their talent through the Jonathan Larson Grant.

Past recipients of Jonathan Larson Grants include Nell Benjamin, John Bucchino, Kirsten Childs, Ricky Ian Gordon, Amanda Green, Joe Iconis and Michael Korie.

Jonathan Larson's critically acclaimed musical Rent received numerous awards and honors, including a Tony Award for Best Musical, an Obie Award and the Pulitzer Prize. While the original Broadway production of Rent closed on September 7, a new national tour began in January 2009, featuring several members of the original cast. In addition, a cinecast of "Rent," filmed by Sony Pictures during the musical's last performances, is available on DVD. A film version of the musical was released in 2005. Jonathan Larson® is a registered trademark of Skeeziks LLC.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. The Wing's other activities, dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre, include "Working in the Theatre," now in its 30th year of telecasts on CUNY TV in New York and on other national cable outlets; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants and scholarship program to New York City schools and not-for-profit theatre companies, which has awarded nearly $3 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; and SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC. Visitors to www.americantheatrewing.org can view or download an archive of "Working in the Theatre" and the career guides and listen to archive episodes of the hour-long interview series "Downstage Center", all as free, on-demand streaming audio and podcast.

For additional information about the Jonathan Larson Grants and all American Theatre Wing programs, go to www.americantheatrewing.org

Photo credit: Steve and Anita Shevett

ATW Chairman Ted Chapin, Al Larson and ATW Executive Director Howard Sherman