Goodspeed Announces Andrew A. Isen Prize for Emerging Young Professionals

Goodspeed Musicals is delighted to announce the establishment of The Andrew A. Isen Prize at Goodspeed Musicals. The prize, to be given annually, will recognize a young person between the ages of 20-29 who has demonstrated excellence in their work during the previous Goodspeed Musicals season. Each March, Goodspeed will award $5,000 to an honoree - chosen by committee - to aid in their pursuit of a career in musical theatre. The inaugural prize will be awarded in 2019 for candidates from the 2018 season. Application information will be made available to eligible candidates during their time at Goodspeed.

This award is funded through a generous gift given by DC-based entrepreneur and musical theatre devotee Andrew A. Isen and was created to give young people who are in the early stages of professional development financial assistance and encouragement to focus on artistic excellence. The establishment of this award with Goodspeed Musicals will also serve to enhance Goodspeed's efforts to recruit exceptional apprentices, technicians, designers and other theater professionals.

"In creating this award at Goodspeed we were really thinking outside the box. There are many established fellowships that acknowledge young writers and performers but we wanted to include artisans, technicians, designers, assistants, stage managers and administrators in this endeavor to support young people just starting out in musical theatre," explained Mr. Isen. "The thing that gives me so much pleasure is that we'll be recognizing people who would never be considered for an award like this, and it's never been done before. "

"This all came about because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people working to make a life in musical theatre," Isen shared "I feel passionate about this opportunity to give back. It just feels right." Isen continued, "Establishing this award in conjunction with Goodspeed Musicals is a dream come true. I have been warmly welcomed into the Goodspeed family."

Goodspeed's Executive Director, Michael Gennaro, echoes Mr. Isen's enthusiasm and is appreciative of his efforts. "It is part of our mission to develop and train young professionals to become future leaders in musical theatre. This prize, which focuses on young people from all disciplines, is especially unique because it supports those who are rarely ever recognized," stated Mr. Gennaro. "We are grateful to Mr. Isen for his generosity and vision. This award will have a positive impact on both Goodspeed's future as well as our field of musical theatre"

For more information about employment opportunities at Goodspeed Musicals, please visit www.gooodspeed.org.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Gennaro, Goodspeed Musicals is dedicated to the preservation, development and advancement of musical theatre and is the first theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement). Goodspeed produces three musicals each season at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of United Airlines, the official airline of Goodspeed Musicals; official audio sponsor Sennheiser; and official auto sponsor Hoffman Audi. Goodspeed is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development with support from the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

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