Lantern Theatre Company Wins 2009 Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia is pleased to announce that Lantern Theatre Company was the recipient of the 2009 Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service for its Classroom Connections Program. Actor Tony Danza, now an English teacher at Northeast High School, presented the award at the 2009 Barrymore Awards Ceremony on Monday, October 5 at the Walnut Street Theatre.

Lantern Theater Company's Classroom Connections is an in-school residency program that enriches the standardized curriculum in some of Philadelphia's most financially challenged public high schools. Classroom Connections is the centerpiece of Lantern's Illumination program which engages students in the world of theater and nurtures artistic expression through classroom outreach, student matinees, and after school drama clubs.

"We were very inspired by Lanter Theatre Company's Classroom Connections Program which connects young people to the stage and at the same time links closely with their classroom learning," said Sharon Tucker, Deputy Education Officer for the City of Philadelphia and a member of the Theatre Alliance's Education Review Panel. "This is the kind of collaboration we encourage, and which benefits Philadelphia as a whole."

"Working in schools with little to no established arts curriculum, our program offers an approach which utilizes the tools of theater in the teaching of literature," said Charles McMahon, Artistic Direcotr at Lantern Theatre Company. "By giving students a chance to think and work like actors, writers, directors, designers, and audiences, the program highlights reading, critical thinking, creative writing and acting through a series of culminating lessons. We are very honored that our work in the schools has been recognized by the Barrymore Awards program."

In selecting the award recipient, attention is paid to the project that best demonstrates a significant and lasting impact on the program's participants; interaction with the participants; the teaching of new skills and/or enhancement of cultural awareness; inclusion and representation of diverse cultures and/or socio-economic levels; action as a vehicle for betterment in the community; and accessibility to the community.

The Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service promotes the participation of theatres and theatre artists who provide innovative theatre and educational experiences as a vehicle for betterment within the community. Cash prizes of $1,500 to the awarded theatre company, and $500 to a teaching artist of the company's choice, are sponsored by the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theatre community, with more than 120 member organizations and 330 individuals, by promoting positive awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development and advocacy.