Photo Flash: APT's 2011 Literature to Life Awards

Verbatim performances of "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz and "Down These Mean Streets" by Piri Thomas debuted Monday, May 23 at The Times Center, 242 West 41st Street, marking their entry into the repertoire of The American Place Theatre's Literature to Life® program.

Both authors received 2011 Literature to Life® Awards in a Gala ceremony that benefited the American Place Theatre's arts and literacy program for young readers.

Junot Diaz attended the gala and saw an excerpt of his NY Times bestseller, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," enacted onstage in a verbatim performance that was adapted and directed by Elise Thoron and acted by Elvis Nolasco.

Piri Thomas accepted his award via video. An excerpt of "Down These Mean Streets," adapted and directed by Wynn Handman, was performed by Jamil Mena.

The evening was attended by a supportive crowd including actors Michael Douglas and Kathleen Chalfant.

Both of the performances that debuted in the evening are specifically designed for Literature to Life®, a performance-based literacy program that presents professionally staged verbatim adaptations of significant American literary works for use in schools. These performances will expose students to Thomas' and Diaz' stories, provide an inspiring first-person presence and develop understanding of the authors' works in discussions before and after the performance.

Other works in the Literature to Life® repertoire include "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd, "Black Boy" by Richard Wright, "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt and "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison. The arts/literacy program is delivered to over 30,000 underserved students annually. (www.americanplacetheatre.org)

Photo Credit: Agate Elie