League of Pro Theatre Women Awards Celebration and Big Mingle

On Monday, May 2, the League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre, is pleased to recognize the talents of six outstanding women: Micki Grant, Jane Cox, Ari Laura Kreith, Lisa Kron, Lear DeBessonet, and Elsa Rael. The awards will be presented at the League's 2016 Awards Celebration & Big Mingle, hosted by five-time Tony-Award nominee Estelle Parsons.

Micki Grant, three-time Tony Nominee, will be presented with The Lifetime Achievement Award by James Morgan (Producing Artistic Director of The York Theatre Company).

The Ruth Morley Design Award was initiated in 1998 in honor of costume designer Ruth Morley, one of the profession's leading designers for theatre and film who also served on the LPTW Board of Directors.�It is given annually to an outstanding female theatre designer in the field of costumes, scenery, lighting, or special effects. This year the award will be presented by John Doyle ("The Color Purple," "The Visit," "A Catered Affair," "Company" winner of Tony and Drama Desk Awards for "Sweeney Todd")�to set designer Jane Cox, this season's "Color Purple," "Noises Off" and "Hamlet."

In April 1999, the LPTW received a bequest from the Lucille Lortel estate to establish a fund which would be given annually to "an aspiring woman in any discipline of theatre who is showing great creative promise and deserves recognition and encouragement." This year's award will be given to Ari Laura Kreith, Artistic Director of Theatre 167 by Tina Howe ("Birth and After Birth," "Museum," "The Art of Dining," "Painting Churches," "Coastal Disturbances," "Approaching Zanzibar" and "Pride's Crossing").

TheLee Reynolds Award, in memory of producer and League member Lee Reynolds, is given annually to a woman or women active in any aspect of theatre whose work through the medium of theatre has helped to illuminate the possibilities for social, cultural or political change.

Lisa Kron (also representing Jeanine Tesori), will be presented the award by Sam Gold (Director of "Fun Home," "A Look Back at Anger," "Seminar," "The Realistic Joneses," "The Real Thing," "Picnic"), for their work on Broadway's "Fun Home."

The Josephine Abady Award is given in memory of Josephine R. Abady, a stage and artistic director, and leader of the nonprofit theatre movement in the United States. The award is given annually to a woman emerging theatre artist who has created work of cultural diversity. This year's recipient is Lear DeBessonet, director of Public Works at the Public Theater. She will be presented with the award by Anne Bogart (Co-Artistic Director of the ensemble-based SITI Company, head of the MFA Directing program at Columbia University).

Elsa Rael, playwright and founder of Professional Older Women's Theater and Women In Arts & Media Coalition, will receive a LPTW Special Award, presented by Shellen Lubin (directed 31st Annual Bistro Awards and Door Opens Walk Thru by Susan Merson at 13th Street Rep, VP of Programming for LPTW, and Co-President of the Women in the Arts & Media Coalition).

In connection with the Awards Celebration & Big Mingle, the LPTW will be holding their Fourth Annual Online Auction, which will run until Friday, May 6th at 11:59 p.m. Special prizes include tickets to Broadway's "Eclipsed" starring Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong'o, tickets to Broadway's "An American in Paris," four passes to Disney World, and tickets to a New York Yankees game! The auction is open to the public and bids can be made at: www.biddingforgood.com/LPTWAuction.

The Big Mingle will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2 at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street. Tickets are $100 for members, $135 for non-members, and $250 for VIP (which include premium seating).