Burton, Estrella, Chazan and Osmundson Receive 2013 Pell Awards Honors Tonight

Trinity Repertory Company previously announced that three local Rhode Island residents would be receiving Pell Awards this year in addition to Kate Burton, the recipient of the 2013 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. The 17th annual Pell Awards will be held tonight, June 10, 2013 at Trinity Rep with a reception to follow next door at the Providence Public Library.

Gamm Theatre Artistic Director Tony Estrella will receive the 2013 Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts, noted art collector and philanthropist Joseph A. Chazan, M.D. will be honored as the recipient of the 2013 Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts, and educator and Shakespeare in the City founder Martha Douglas-Osmundson will receive the 2013 Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts.

The 17th annual Pell Awards will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013 at Trinity Rep. The annual fundraising event will be co-chaired by Joe & Michele Madden and Elizabeth "Beppie" Huidekoper. Both Mr. Madden and Ms. Huidekoper currently serve as members of Trinity Rep's Board of Trustees. Mrs. Nuala Pell will serve as the event's honorary chair. Members of the planning committee for this year's event include Elizabeth Chace, Paul J. Choquette, Mark Gim, Barry G. Hittner, Esq. & Kathleen Hittner, Suzanne M. & Ira C. Magaziner, William Lynn McKinney & Ron Margolin, Heidi Keller Moon, John Palumbo, Kibbe & Tom Reilly, Larry & Barbara Schoenfeld, Judith L. Stillman, Michael F. Sweeney, Esq., Alison Vareika and Bob & Grace Vincent.

Individual tickets to the full event are $500; a limited number of individual tickets to the ceremony and post-show reception are $250, and corporate sponsorships are available. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Trinity Rep's artistic and educational programs. Together with business, political and social leaders, guests at this fun and fabulous cocktail affair will mix, mingle, and enjoy delicious food and desserts provided by Russell Morin Fine Catering. For more information and reservations, contact Trinity Rep at (401) 453-9237.

The Pell Awards honor Senator Claiborne Pell and recognize artistic excellence in Rhode Island and the New England region as well as on the national level. Throughout his life, Senator Pell worked to support the arts and provide new opportunities for artists. He sponsored the landmark legislation that established the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities in 1965, and chaired the Senate Education and Arts subcommittee.

Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus said he is thrilled to welcome Tony and Emmy Award-nominated actress Kate Burton back to Providence as the 2013 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement winner. "Kate is one of the great actors of her generation, a woman of range, intelligence, and passion who has few equals in the American Theater. Her work on Broadway, throughout the country in the regional theater, her numerous film and television appearances alone would merit a recognition as one of the great actors of her generation. Just as important as her illustrious career, however, has been her service in promoting the arts, education, and arts education for Brown University, the American Theatre Wing, and the Williamstown Theater Festival, among other boards and national organizations. I am deeply pleased to present Kate with the Lifetime Achievement honor this year. "

Columbus called the Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts winner, Gamm Theatre Artistic Director Tony Estrella, "an immensely skilled and multi-faceted artist: a superb actor and director, a venerable artistic leader, and a true advocate for the arts on both a local and national level." He added that under Estrella's visionary leadership, The Gamm has transformed into a nationally renowned and respected company; a place where challenging new work and still-trenchant classics are given vibrant life - winning, along the way, three prestigious Elliot Norton Awards and attracting a growing subscriber base and fans from across New England and beyond. "In many ways," said Columbus, "much of this success can be directly attributed to Tony's talent, hard work and his dogged pursuit of artistic excellence."

Joseph A. Chazan, M.D., winner of the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts, is especially deserving of this honor, said Columbus, "His kind of philanthropy fully expresses and furthers Senator Claiborne Pell's original intention to support local artists in communities. Joe has spent decades promoting visual artists and other artistic institutions in Rhode Island, through the commissioning of art for community spaces around the city and state and by working to bring art to public awareness in an accessible way. He is not only a dedicated patron of the arts in Rhode Island, but one of its most tireless behind?the?scenes champions."

Columbus also commended Martha Douglas-Osmundson, recipient of the Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts, for her innovation and enthusiasm in and out of the classroom. "Martha not only is a fearless educator, but has worked tirelessly on the Shakespeare in the City program over the past five years. Few people could have brought any such bold, new program into existence, much less one focused on using Shakespeare to connect children and teachers from urban public and private schools. Through belief in the vitality of her mission and a special kind of determination, Martha has positively influenced the artistic growth and educational future of so many young people in our community - and that is something we at Trinity Rep could not be happier to celebrate."

Previous Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts honorees include Jane Alexander, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, Viola Davis, Olympia Dukakis, Adrian Hall, Arthur Miller, Liza Minnelli, Toni Morrison, Robert Redford, Chita Rivera, Jason Robards, Maurice Sendak, Beverly Sills, Stephen Sondheim and Kevin Spacey. Past honorees for the Pell Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Arts include Amy Morton and Trinity Rep's Resident Acting Company.

Past Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts honorees include John Benson, Howard BenTré, Dan Butterworth, Bob Colonna, Robert Coover, Umberto "Bert" Crenca, Richard Cumming, Ruth Frisch Dealy, Richard Fleischner, Peter Geisser, Malcolm Grear, Michael Harper, Bunny Harvey, Dorothy Jungels & the Everett Dance Theatre, George Kent, Eugene Lee, David Macaulay, Salvatore Mancini, Dave McKenna, Barbara Meek, Denny Moers, Timothy Philbrick, Duke Robillard, Thomas Sgouros, Sr., Consuelo Sherba, Gretchen Dow Simpson, Maria Spacagna, Judith Lynn Stillman, Chris Van Allsburg, Paula Vogel, Keith and Rosmarie Waldrop, William Warner, Rose Weaver, Steven Weinberg, and Toots Zynsky.

Among those honorees awarded the Pell Award/Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in/to the Arts are Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., Adrian Hall, P. William Hutchinson, Virginia Lynch, Lowry Marshall and Elaine Foster Perry. The Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in Arts has been awarded to Mihailo "Misha" Djuric, Roger Mandle, Senator Claiborne Pell, George Wein, J.L. "Lynn" Singleton, and the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in Arts Education to Ruth J. Simmons. Additionally, past recipients of the New England Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts were Brian Dennehy, Julie Harris, Lloyd Richards, Gunther Schuller, and John Updike.

Kate Burton

2013 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Kate Burton has amassed a wide range of awards, nominations and accolades from her decades as an actress across the globe in theatre, film and television. Recent film roles include Josh Radnor's Liberal Arts; 2 Days in New York from writer/director Julie Delpy; Danny Boyle's 127 Hours with James Franco and the indie Puncture with Chris Evans. Past film roles include: Remember Me (Alan Coulter), Max Payne (John Moore), What Just Happened (Barry Levinson), Celebrity (Woody Allen), The Ice Storm (Ang Lee), First Wives Club (Hugh Wilson), August (Anthony Hopkins), Big Trouble in Little China (John Carpenter), Unfaithful (Adrian Lynne), Swimfan (John Polson), Stay (Marc Forester), Sherrybaby (Laurie Collyer), Quid Pro Quo (Carlos Brooks). Upcoming roles include the indie Consent; Barefoot, with Evan Rachel Wood, and Mariachi Gringo.

Television audiences can see Kate recur in the latest Shonda Rhimes ABC series Scandal, in addition to her recurring roles on the CBS hit drama The Good Wife, the NBC series Grimm and the HBO series Veep with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Prior pilots include the ABC drama pilot Boston's Finest and the HBO comedy pilot The Washingtonienne. Past recurring roles also include both Grey's Anatomy (two Emmy nominations) and Rescue Me. Recent television guest star roles include Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, Eleventh Hour, Justice, The West Wing, The Practice, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 100 Centre St., and Notes For My Daughter (Emmy Award). Kate appeared in HBO's Empire Falls, the Lifetime feature Obsessed (John Badham) with Jenna Elfman and The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer for ABC.

On stage, Kate starred in the new A.R. Gurney play The Grand Manner at Lincoln Center Theater, playing the legendary Katherine Cornell. Previous theatre credits include the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening, the Williamstown production of The Corn is Green directed by Nicholas Martin, starring opposite her son, Morgan Ritchie, and the City Center revival of Applause with Christine Ebersole. Kate received a Tony nomination for her role as the title character in The Constant Wife for the Roundabout Theatre Company, directed by Mark Brokaw and appeared in The Water's Edge opposite Tony Goldwyn at the Second Stage Theatre. She appeared as Olga in the critically acclaimed West End production of Three Sisters with Kristen Scott Thomas, directed by Michael Blakemoore. Kate received two Tony nominations in 2002 for the title role of Hedda Gabler on Broadway, directed by Nicholas Martin, and for the role of Mrs. Kendall in The Elephant Man, directed by Sean Mathias. Kate has also starred on Broadway in The Beauty Queen of Leenane (also UK/Ireland tour), An American Daughter, Jake's Women, Some Americans Abroad (Drama Desk nomination) and Present Laughter (Theater World Award). She has appeared for thirteen seasons at Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Tony Estrella

2013 Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts recipient Tony Estrella has been the artistic director of The Gamm Theatre since 2002. A 1995 graduate of the Trinity Rep Conservatory, he first began his tenure with Alias Stage/The Gamm as an actor and director. He has appeared in more than 20 productions with The Gamm including his recent turn in Stoppard's The Real Thing and the U.S. premiere of Anne Boleyn. Past performances include roles in Ibsen's A Doll's House (which he also adapted), Glengarry Glen Ross, Rock 'n' Roll, Much Ado About Nothing (2009 & 2000), Awake and Sing!, The Pillowman, the world premiere of Paul Grellong's Radio Free Emerson, La Bête, Crime and Punishment and the title roles in Hamlet and Henry V. He adapted and directed new versions of Friedrich Schiller's Don Carlos and Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, and has directed many other productions for the company including Red, After The Revolution, the U.S. premiere of Howard Brenton's Paul and Sarah Kane's 4:48 Psychosis.

Under Tony's leadership, The Gamm has received three Elliot Norton Awards, including Outstanding New Play for Radio Free Emerson, Best Production for Awake & Sing and a Special Citation for the 25th Anniversary of the theater's contributions to the field. During his tenure, Estrella has also overseen the increase of the theater's subscription base from less than 100 to well over 2,000 members. Over that same period, in terms of staff size, budget and ticket sales, the organization has grown more than fivefold.

In 2009, Tony was the recipient of the Pawtucket Foundation's Person of the Year Award and honored by Teatro Ecas for his work in furthering speaking theater in the state. In 2011, he was named Distinguished Alumni of the University of Rhode Island. In addition to being The Gamm's artistic director, Tony has worked as an actor in theaters throughout New England including Trinity Rep, Boston Playwrights and the Wheelock Family Theatre. Tony's film and TV credits include Martin Scorsese's The Departed, John Wells' The Company Men and episodes of the Showtime TV series Brotherhood and NBC's Law & Order. Tony has taught at many colleges and universities including Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island, where he has been on the theater faculty since 1997.

JOSEPH A. CHAZAN, M.D.

2013 Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts recipient Joseph A. Chazan, M.D. has been a Providence resident since 1967. Born in Rochester, New York, Dr. Chazan was raised and educated in Buffalo schools, culminating with his graduation from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine (now SUNY Buffalo). Following training in internal medicine and a nephrology fellowship in Boston hospitals, Dr. Chazan joined the faculty of the Brown School of Medicine. While serving in that role, he developed and initiated the kidney dialysis program at Rhode Island Hospital. Since 1973, Dr. Chazan has pursued the private practice of nephrology. He and his associates offer dialysis treatments at ten area clinics. In 1991, Dr. Chazan became a clinical professor of medicine for the Warren Alpert Medical School where he was named emeritus in 2009.

His community activities include past service to AS220, Southside Community Land Trust, and as a trustee of RISD and the Wheeler School. He is a past chair of RISCA and past president of Temple Beth-El. Currently, he serves on the RISD Museum's board of governors and a trustee for the Newport Art Museum.

Dr. Chazan and his late wife, Helene, began to collect contemporary art in 1973, eventually donating much of it to more than thirty museums and institutions including the RISD Museum. The Museum featured these objects in its 2005 exhibition "Chazans' Choice." Since 2005, Dr. Chazan has focused on collecting the contemporary work of Rhode Island artists and on highlighting their careers through such initiatives as public art placements and production of the visual arts project NetWorks. NetWorks Productions have included the documentation of more than 80 accomplished Rhode Island artists through photographic portraits and videos and the "Art RI" series broadcast by RIPBS.

MARTHA DOUGLAS-OSMUNDSON

2013 Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts winner Martha Douglas-Osmundson was born and raised in Katonah, a suburb of New York City. Growing up a short train ride away from the bright lights of Broadway, the theater has always been a large part of her life. Martha received her B.A. in English from State University of New York in 1982 and her M.A. in Teaching of English from Manhattanville College in 1989. After spending a few years teaching English and history at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich, Connecticut, Martha and her husband, the photographer Glenn Osmundson, relocated to Rhode Island. Since 1991, she has taught English and drama at Lincoln School in Providence, receiving the Dorothy W. Gifford Chair Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004. At Lincoln School, Martha has been commended for her unique teaching style, integrating the arts into major subject curricula, and working to make grammar and Shakespeare's language important and relevant to her students' lives. In 2008, after seeing 450 schoolchildren perform Hamlet at Shakespeare's Globe during a trip to London, Martha created "Shakespeare in the City," which aims to break down barriers between urban public and private schools, bringing diverse groups of students and teachers together through art, challenging text, and performance. Reaching over 200 students each year, Shakespeare in the City culminates in a two-day community building experience that includes theater games and a final performance for parents and friends. Since 2009, Shakespeare in the City has mounted performances of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. Martha has continued her personal and professional development throughout her career, participating in programs ranging from Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance at Shakespeare's Globe in London to Brown/Gamm Shakespeare Institute for The Urban Teacher Collaborative in Pawtucket. In 2012 she received Lincoln School's Stand Up, Lincoln! Award, a new initiative which celebrates one's work toward peace, equity, and justice through service, for her work both in and out of the classroom. Martha and Glenn live in Cumberland, where they raised Emma, now a theater major at Drew University, and Grant, a junior at Cumberland High School.

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson

To post a comment, you must register and login.