Michael Urie, Annaleigh Ashford, Kristine Nielsen and Lewis J. Stadlen Earn Actors' Equity Foundation's Richard Seff & Clarence Derwent Awards!

The Clarence Derwent Award for most promising female and male performers on the New York metropolitan scene, has gone to Annaleigh Ashford and Michael Urie . Additionally, Kristine Nielsen and Lewis J. Stadlen have been named to receive the annual Richard Seff Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation. The award honors a veteran female and male character actor for the best performance in a supporting role in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production. The announcement was made by Arne Gundersen, president of the Actors' Equity Foundation, which administers the Award.

Kristine Nielsen, Sonia in Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, earlier was in Mr. Durang's Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them, for which she received Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations; Miss Witherspoon; Betty's Summer Vacation, Obie, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations; and Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge. Broadway credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, To Be or Not to Be, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Spring Awakening, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Green Bird, Jackie and The Iceman Cometh.

Lewis J. Stadlen was recognized for his performances in the Lincoln Center Theatre production of The Nance as well as for his performance in the Off-Broadway production of Checkers. Broadway credits include The Producers; The People in the Picture; 45 Seconds From Broadway; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To The Forum, Tony nomination; Laughter on the 23rd Floor, The Female Odd Couple, Candide, Tony nomination; The Sunshine Boys, and Minnie's Boys, for which he received Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World Awards.

Annaleigh Ashford was cited for her performance on Broadway in Kinky Boots, as well as in the Off-Broadway musical, Dogfight. Other Broadway appearances have included Hair, Wicked, and the original cast of Legally Blonde. Off-Broadway she received Drama League and Clive Barnes Awards nominations for her performance in Rent.

Michael Urie was recognized for his performance in Buyer & Cellar, a solo vehicle produced by Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre. On Broadway, Mr. Urie was in the 2011 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Other Off-Broadway appearances include The Cherry Orchard at Classic Stage, Angels in America and The Temperamentals. On TV, he appeared in the long-running hit series, Ugly Betty.

The presentation will take place at Equity's Eastern Regional Board meeting at 2 pm on Tuesday, June 11 at Equity's office, 165 West 46th Street.

The Judges' Panel includes: Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News; Adam Feldman, Time Out New York; Susan Haskins, Theater Talk; Harry Haun, Playbill and David Rosenberg, The Hour Newspapers