Marian Seldes Receives Harold Clurman Spirit Award

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting closed the 2nd annual Harold Clurman Festival of the Arts on September 17 with a presentation of the Harold Clurman Spirit Award to actress Marian Seldes. The award was presented to her by actress and teacher Elizabeth Parrish.

Seldes participated in the opening symposium of the Festival on September 14 where she read Edward Albee's 1998 speech to the American Council for the Arts. She also joined Mike Medavoy, Jonathan Demme, Wallace Shawn and Edward Albee in discussing art and social activism.

The Harold Clurman Festival of the Arts, four days of theater, poetry readings, concerts and symposia, was created to celebrate and extend the spirit of the legendary Elder Statesman of the American Theater. A co-founder of the fabled Group Theater, Harold Clurman was the award-winning director of over 40 of the most important plays of the 20th Century. He also directed Marlon Brando in his first adult role in Truckline Café and authored such influential books as "The Fervent Years" and "On Directing."

The theme of all events of the Festival, Art and Social Activism, was conceived to be a teaching tool for young actors, to inspire them to understand the deeper mission of the artist. The theme was also designed to draw attention to the Studio's own feeling of social obligation. Proceeds from this event will support the Stella Adler Outreach Division, providing free year long actor training to low income inner city youth.