Shannon Matesky Selected as Edes Prize Winner

The Theatre School at DePaul University announces that solo artist and actor Shannon Matesky is the 2012 recipient of The Claire Rosen and Samuel Edes Foundation Prize for Emerging Artists. The award is a cash prize of $30,000 granted to a recent alumnus/a from DePaul University in Music or Theatre. The prize's intended purpose is to advance the award recipient's professional career by giving them the freedom to engage in their intended artistic pursuits.

The Edes Foundation Board has established the Claire Rosen and Samuel Edes Foundation Prize for Emerging Artists at four institutions in the Chicago area, including DePaul University, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Edes Foundation Board also provides support to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Sir Georg Solti Conducting Competition and Apprenticeship.

Shannon Matesky's application outlined her plans to develop a national tour of her solo performance piece SHE THINK SHE GROWN alongside fellow artist Lama Jordan, who is touring the United States with the movie LOUDER THAN A BOMB. Together they will go into communities to ignite discussions exploring the challenges young people face today and the journey of becoming an adult. The tour will include workshops for institutions, neighboring non-profits, and community centers across the country. The tour will also support research for Shannon's next piece, a documentary-style solo show IF I EAT, THEN YOU EAT spotlighting homelessness in America. The Edes Foundation Prize will enable Shannon to focus on and develop these creative pursuits to impact numerous communities across the country.

"I am tremendously honored by this opportunity," said Shannon Matesky. "Thank you so much for believing and investing in me. I'd love to accept this award and continue to make The Theatre School proud. Many thanks; this has changed my life."

At DePaul University, the Edes Foundation Prize alternates each year between artists from The Theatre School and the School of Music. The Deans ask each department chair to nominate up to five candidates who are then invited to apply for the award. Each applicant is asked to provide a resumé/curriculum vitae and a letter outlining his/her career goals and discussing how the Edes Foundation Prize would positively impact his/her career. School of Music alumnus Joe Clark received last year's Claire Rosen and Samuel Edes Foundation Prize for Emerging Artists. His prize money enabled him to produce an album of original jazz compositions. The recording sessions were held in late March of this year. The Edes Foundation Prize committee was comprised of Theatre School faculty and staff who evaluated and interviewed each of the candidates.