Press Releases
09/15/2016
Gov. Malloy: Connecticut's Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center Receives National Recognition
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today applauded an announcement from the White House that the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center in Waterford will be awarded the prestigious 2015 National Medal of Arts for its extensive contributions to American theater. President Barack Obama will present the medal during a White House ceremony on Thursday, September 22, 2016.
"The O'Neill is one of Connecticut's most iconic theaters, having been the starting point for some of the American theater's greatest works and artists," Governor Malloy said. "To see a Connecticut theater recognized on a national platform speaks volumes to the incredible work the O'Neill is doing in developing actors, directors, and playwrights. I extend my congratulations to its executive director, Preston Whiteway, and the entire O'Neill team."
"We know that the arts have the ability to bring communities together, improve quality of life, and contribute to the economic well-being of an area," Kristina Newman-Scott, Director of Culture at the Department of Economic and Community Development, said. "I'm thrilled to see the O'Neill recognized on a national level for their contributions to the American theater, as well as to the vibrancy of Connecticut's arts and culture sector."
The O'Neill Theater was founded in 1964 and is home to a number of national conferences, including the National Playwrights Conference, National Music Theater Conference, and the National Theater Institute. Staff and alumni from the O'Neill have won every major award in theater arts and the theater itself is the recipient of two Tony Awards, in 1979 for Theatrical Excellence and in 2010 for Regional Theater.
The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Medal of Arts is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.
The event will be streamed live online at www.whitehouse.gov/live.
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