Jessie Mueller & Andy Truschinski to be Honored at A.R.T./New York's Spring 2016 Gala

The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (A.R.T./New York), the service and advocacy organization for New York City's 360 nonprofit theatres, will celebrate 44 years of service and dedication to the theatrical nonprofit community at its annual spring gala on Monday, April 11, beginning at 6:00 PM at Tribeca Rooftop (2 Desbrosses Street). The evening will be hosted by celebrated three-time Drama Desk nominee Julie Halston.

This year, A.R.T./New York will honor Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller (Beautiful, Waitress) and Andy Truschinski (The Heidi Chronicles, War Horse) with The Abe L. Blinder Award for public service and arts education. Acoustician Joe Solway and international multi-disciplinary engineering and consulting firm, Arup, of which Solway is associate principal, will receive The Kathy and Howard J. Aibel Award for theatrical innovation and excellence.

The 2016 gala program will feature "mini musicals" written specifically for honorees by Richard Rodgers Award-winning lyricist Timothy Huang and BMI Harrington Award-winning Lyricist Sara Wordsworth. The program will be directed and choreographed by Terry Berliner, with musical direction by BMI Harrington Award winner Arri Lawton Simon.

"Jessie and Andy are gifted artists who believe strongly in mentoring young artists and advocating for the arts." said A.R.T./New York Executive Director, Ginny Louloudes. "Jessie is a passionate supporter of Broadway Cares, Rosie's Theatre Kids, and enjoys teaching workshops and master classes for aspiring young artists. Andy has led master classes for students and professionals across the country, including his Alma Mater, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater and the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival. The timing for this award could not be better since Jessie Mueller is making history this spring in the new musical Waitress with the first ever all-female creative team on Broadway."

A.R.T./New York Board President and Founding Artistic Director of New Georges, Susan Bernfield, explained, "Jessie and Andy's commitment to the arts and arts education, as well as to public service is truly inspiring. It is fitting that they receive The Abe L. Blinder Award. Abe was a passionate advocate and supporter of the arts who grew up in the Midwest. He would be so thrilled that this award is going to these talented fellow Midwesterners."

The Kathy and Howard J. Aibel Award will be presented to Arup, and its Associate Principal Acoustician, Joe Solway. A.R.T./New York Board Chair Jeffrey R. Gural, President of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank explained, "As a participant in the New York City's Design Excellence Program, A.R.T./New York has benefitted tremendously from Arup, the international performing arts venue designers. Thanks to Joe, A.R.T./New York's new performance spaces will have state-of-the-art design features that will enhance the work of our boundary-pushing members.""

"Solway's continued quest for excellence in attempting to solve the acoustical challenges of our member theatres embodies the best of Arup, and makes them ideal recipients of The Kathy and Howard J. Aibel Award," commented Louloudes.

The 2016 Spring Gala will support A.R.T./New York's funding, training and real estate services for its 360 member theatres.

Tickets and tables for the A.R.T./New York Gala (including rooftop cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and three-course dinner with musical performances) start at $600.00 and may be purchased by visiting A.R.T./New York's website: www.art-newyork.org or by contacting Brooke Berescik-Johns at (212) 244-6667 x 242 or via e-mail at bjohns@art-newyork.org.