OUR TOWN Director Cromer Awarded MacArthur 'Genius' Grant

According to an article in the New York Daily News, David Cromer, director of OUR TOWN, THE ADDING MACHINE and BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship on Monday. Referred to as the "genius" grant, the Arthur Foundation awards its recipients with $500,000 over five years to spend as they choose, "no strings attached."

"We could spend it all on cake," Cromer joked of the grant in an interview with the Daily News, but added, "It purchases you freedom. I can do things now that aren't necessarily going to generate income."

Cromer made his directorial debut in 2005 with ORSON'S SHADOWBOX at the Barrow Street Theatre - the same theater that would later house his enormously successful production of OUR TOWN.  In 2008, Cromer directed the critically acclaimed musical adaptation of THE ADDING MACHINE.  In 2009, he directed the Broadway revivals of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. Currently, he is slated to direct Nicole Kidman in the Broadway revival of the Tennessee William's play SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH, opening in the fall of 2011.

In addition to the MacArthur Fellowship, Cromer is the recipient of a Lucille Lortel Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Joseph Jefferson Award.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski

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