Theatre Alliance Presents Special Recognition Barrymore Award to Pete Pryor

The Theatre Alliance presented actor Pete Pryor with a Special Recognition Barrymore Award at its annual Member Meeting announcing the 2010 Barrymore Award nominations on Monday, August 2 at New Freedom Theatre.

Pryor recently participated in the prestigious Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program, a widely-acclaimed national program that recognizes the top regional theatre actors in the country. The Theatre Alliance's Special Recognition Award acknowledged this Fellowship as emblematic of Pryor's stature as one of the top regional theatre actors in the country.

"Pete Pryor's talent is emblematic of the level of quality we see constantly on Philadelphia's stages," said Theatre Alliance Executive Director Margie Salvante. "With this Special Recognition Award we are honoring the role he plays in raising the national profile of Philadelphia as a vibrant theatre city."

As a Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, Pryor and eight other actors from the nation's premier regional theatres joined renowned Shakespearean director and scholar Barry Edelstein for an intensive weeklong master class and retreat at Ten Chimneys in Wisconsin. In addition to the distinction of being selected and the immense value of participation, Pryor received a $2,500 cash award in recognition of his exceptional contribution to his community and to the overall quality of American theatre.

"The Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program celebrates the nine actors in America's top theatre communities, widely respected for their talent, dedication to craft and passionate pursuit of excellence," said Sean Malone, President of Ten Chimneys Foundation, which oversees the project.

"Pete's range as an actor is remarkable, not merely for his ability to embody differing roles (a devious Richard III at Lantern Theater Company, an irrepressible Teach in American Buffalo at Theatre Exile, or the pitiable simpleton Michal in our production of The Pillowman) but because of the nuance of characterization he brings which is both subtle and deeply engaging," said Blanka Zizka, Artistic Director of The Wilma Theater which submitted Pryor's application for the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship. "For nearly two decades I have personally watched Pete grow from merely a talented young actor into a passionate advocate for the arts and mentor for other artists, a performer who is deeply committed to his craft, and a gifted jack-of-all-trades of the Theatre World who is never content to be merely good enough at what he pursues."

Pete Pryor has been nominated for a record seventeen Barrymore Awards, including a nomination this year for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play for Any Given Monday, coproduced by Act II Playhouse and Theatre Exile. Taking home three Awards, Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play (Richard III at Lantern Theater Company), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play (Road at The Wilma Theater) and Outstanding Director of a Musical (Cinderella at The People's Light & Theatre Company), these nominations reflect Pryor's multi-faceted talents as both an actor and director. The co-founder of 1812 Productions, he is the recipient of two fellowships from the Independence Foundation and a grant from the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative. As an already established actor and director, Pryor also made his playwrighting debut with Beautiful Boy part of the New Development Series at 1812 Productions in 2008. He is the Artist-in-Residence at the Pathway School, an institution dedicated to helping students with special needs achieve success and independence.

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. More information is available online at www.theatrealliance.org or by calling (215) 413-7150.

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