Samuel French Honors Sarah Ruhl, Keith Josef Adkins

Christopher Dimond, Michael Kooman, Bruce Lazarus, Sarah Ruhl, Keith Josef Adkins, Nate Collins

Samuel French, the world’s leading theatrical publishing and licensing company honored some of the theatre community’s most respected artists and activists at the Samuel French Awards at the Irvington at The W Hotel, Union Square.  This year’s recipients included Tony nominated and Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Sarah Ruhl (In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; Stage Kiss); playwright and artistic director of The New Black Fest, Keith Josef Adkins (Facing Our Truth: Ten Minute Plays on Trayvon, Race and Privilege; Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments); award winning musical theatre writers Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond (Judge Jackie Justice, Disorder in the Court; Dani Girl).

Laura Benanti, Andrew Lippa

In addition to the awards presentation, the evening featured live performances by Tony Award winner Laura Benanti (She Loves Me, Gypsy) with Lortel nominated songwriter Todd Almond (Melancholy Play: a chamber musical; Iowa), Tony nominee Kathleen Chalfant (Wit, Angels in America), actor and playwright Matt Shingledecker (West Side Story, Spring Awakening), Dennis A. Allen (The Mud Is Thicker In Mississippi), MaameYaa Boafo (UN-TAMED: Hair Body Attitude), and Michael Kooman.

Sarah Ruhl & Todd Almond

Sarah Ruhl received the Award for Sustained Excellence in American Theatre, bestowed upon a Samuel French playwright, composer or lyricist whose body of work has been successfully produced across the nation, at both amateur and professional levels. Along with the award, a donation will be made to Piven Theatre and Yale Repertory Theatre, two regional theaters that strongly influenced and affected Ruhl’s career. The award was presented by James Bundy (Dean of Yale School of Drama, Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre).

Kamilah Forbes, Keith Josef Adkins

Keith Josef Adkins of The New Black Fest received the Award for Impact & Activism in the Theatre Community, given to an individual who has significantly impacted the theatre community through activism in the past year. Along with the award, a donation was made to The New Black Fest. The award was presented by Kamilah Forbes (Artistic Director, Hi-Arts).

Dennis A. Allen III, MaameYaa Boafo, Todd Almond, Matt Shingledecker, Laura Benanti, Kathleen Chalfant, Andrew Lippa, Michael Kooman.

Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond received The Next Step Award, an award which celebrates and supports playwrights, composers or lyricists toward the next step of their career. The award recognizes artists who have demonstrated strong energy and talent in their career thus far, and offers support for a current or shelved project.   The awards was presented by Tony nominated composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, Big Fish).

Dennis A. Allen III, MaameYaa Boafo, Kamilah Forbes, Keith Josef Adkins

“Samuel French proudly celebrates all those who make theatre happen,” said Samuel French’s President, Nate Collins. “Continuing in that spirit, we are thrilled to honor Sarah, Keith, Michael and Chris with this year’s Samuel French Awards. These awards were created to acknowledge the great work and unparalleled passion of these theatre artists, as well as applaud their significant contributions to our industry. Bravo to this year’s honorees. We celebrate you and look forward to your future works.”

Kathleen Chalfant

Samuel French is the world’s leading publisher and licensor of plays and musicals. The company’s catalog features some of the most acclaimed work ever written for the stage and titles by writers at the forefront of contemporary drama. Samuel French is proud to have served as a leader in theatrical publishing and licensing for over 180 years and is committed to the future by championing for playwrights, innovating the industry, and celebrating all those who make theatre around the world.

Andrew Lippa