Friday, May 1, 2015

2015 Michael Merritt Awards And Design Exposition

The 22nd Annual Merritt Awards for Excellence in Design and Collaboration will take place on Monday, May 4th, at Loyola University Chicago. 5:00pm-10:00pm

Announcing a brand new annual award: The Emerging Technical Collaborator Award. This award celebrates a passionate and skillful early career professional who goes about their work in a particularly collaborative manner. We know that it is hard to launch a career in this profession so we are thrilled to announce that this award comes with a $2000 prize. Last year we unveiled the The Robert Christen Award for Excellence in Technical Collaboration, this award recognizes an outstanding technical professional whose career as a collaborator in the realization of theatrical design has been significant and sustained. We see the pair as a compliment to the Merritt and Maggio design awards. There are so many amazing Scenic Painters, Production Managers, Technical Directors, Costume Shop Managers, Master Electricians, Carpenters, Programmers, Drapers, Cutters, Riggers, Sound Supervisors, Properties Masters, Stage Managers… that are long overdue for public celebration. We are thrilled to be launching a new era in which we celebrate these key members of theatrical collaborative team. Both awards are made possible by the generosity of Founding Sponsor Chicago Flyhouse.

The Michael Merritt Awards And Endowment Fund Honor The Memory Of A Brilliant Designer And Inspirational Teacher. The Michael Merritt Award, A National Award Unique In Its Emphasis On Excellence In Both Design And Collaboration, Has Been Presented Annually Since 1994 To Outstanding Professional Theatrical Designers. The Endowment Fund Recognizes And Encourages The Work Of Young Professionals And Students Through A National Design Exposition And Prizes To Promising Theatrical Design Students.

Tickets
Student - $ 5.00
General Admission - $ 20.00
Book tickets online at merrittawards.com
General Public is welcome.
Food, wine and beer are included in the ticket price. Funds go to support the awards endowment fund.

Schedule:
THEATRE DESIGN EXPOSITION
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Showcasing the works of Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and graduating design students from Chicago's best theatrical design programs and attended by many of Chicago's artistic directors, production managers, and industry professionals.

DIALOGUE WITH THE DESIGNERS
7:00-8:00 p.m.
A discussion moderated by Hedy Weiss featuring the award recipients exploring current issues of interest to professional and student designers.

AWARDS PRESENTATION AND CELEBRATION
8:15-8:45 p.m.
Presentation of The Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award, our four academic prize recipients, the Prizes for Best Exhibit and The Michael Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration. Additionally, this year features a brand new annual award honoring a backstage technician.

Food, wine, beer and fellowship until 10:00 p.m.

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