Dugald Macarther Announced As 2009 Recipeint or Lifetime Achievement Award

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia announced that artist and educator, Dugald MacArthur will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre on Monday, October 5th at 7:00 PM at the Walnut Street Theatre. John P. Connolly, Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, and a former student of Dugald's in Temple University's graduate program, will present the award.

The Barrymore Lifetime Achievement Award is given in recognition of an individual with a distinguished carrier in Philadelphia theatre as an artist or patron who has devoted his or her time, talent and energy to making a significant impact on the artistic landscape of the city and region.

"Dugald is a unique and extraordinary Man of the Theater," said Mr. Connolly, "The profound impact he made on my generation of actors - the founding crews of Manning Street Actors' Theater, Theater of the Living Arts, Freedom Theater, and the Philadelphia Theatre Company among others - planted the seed of bold artistry and startling innovation that is the exciting hallmark of Philadelphia's Theatrical Renaissance today."

Dugald MacArthur arrived in Philadelphia in 1973 from CalArts to head Temple University's Graduate Theatre Department, building a program that continues to enjoy a national reputation. Twice nominated for a Barrymore Award, he has directed at Philadelphia Theatre Company, The People's Light & Theatre Company, Lantern Theater Company, Act II Playhouse, The Venture Theatre, Villanova Shakespeare Festival and Temple University. He was an early Board member of The Wilma Theater and served an essential role in helping to establish Lantern Theater Company, as both a board member and resident artist for the young company.

Over the past 30 years, MacArthur has had a significant impact as teacher and mentor on many of the area's finest theater artists, including Nick Embree, Tony Lawton, Dan Olmstead, Janet Embree, Bradley Thoennes, Frank X, Robert Christophe, Ashley Izard, Christy Parker, Maria Moeller, Jane Moore, Joe Canuso, Amy Gorbey, Mary Beth Scallen, Bill Zielinski, Madi Distefano, Michael Brophy, Kathryn Nocero, and Charles McMahon. Actors of national reputation that he has trained include Bill Irwin, Tom Sizemore, Dan Strickler and Gerry Bamman. At the time of his departure from Temple, his former students were working all over the world in theater, film, and television. Nine of his students are, or were, artistic directors of resident professional theater companies.

Currently, MacArthur regularly lectures on theater at several major universities including UPenn, Dartmouth, Harvard, Brown, and Princeton. He has served as program evaluator for the League of Resident Theaters, The National Endowment for the Arts and the League of Professional Training Programs. Nationally he has directed at American Repertory Theatre, the Tyrone Guthrie, American Conservatory of Theatre in San Francisco, Dallas Theater Company, StageWest, The Kennedy Center, and Dartmouth Equity Repertory.

"Dugald has made theater in Philadelphia his life's work. He has always born himself with exemplary modesty and decency; expressed himself with intelligence, wit, and originality; and shown unfeigned affection and commitment to those coming into his influence. He is without doubt one of the most universally beloved people in this profession," said Charles McMahon, artistic director of Lantern Theater Company.

Major support for the Barrymore Awards is provided by Actors' Equity Association, Ark Media, The Charlotte Cushman Foundation, Clear Sound, CRW Graphics, Drucker & Scaccetti, P.C., Earl Girls Theatrical Equipment, Garfield Refining Company, Harmelin Media, Independence Foundation, PECO, The Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust A as recommended by Carole Haas Gravagno, The Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust B as recommended by Leonard C. Haas, William Penn Foundation, and Ted & Stevie Wolf.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theatre community, by promoting awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development and advocacy. Tickets for the Barrymore Award Ceremony and more information are available online at www.theatrealliance.org or by calling (215) 413-7150.

 

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