NEW AMERICAN THEATER FEATURED THROUGHOUT
GREENFIELD PRIZE WEEKEND
The Hermitage Artist Retreat and its partner, the Greenfield Foundation, are pleased to announce that this year’s Greenfield Prize Weekend, April 7-8, will highlight new work in American theater. It begins on Saturday afternoon, April 7, with two FREE programs, 3:00 – 5:00 pm, at the Hermitage Palm House, 6630 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. From 3:00 to 4:00, there will be a panel discussion of New Voices in American Theater. The panel with include Playwright Martyna Majok, recipient of the 2018 Greenfield Prize, Playwright George Brant, Hermitage Fellow and writer of the recently performed Grounded, done at Florida Studio Theatre, and Urbanite Theater Co-Artistic Director Brendan Ragan. Following this discussion, will be a second program, My Life, My Work, when Greenfield Prize recipient Martyna Majok will discuss her work. Due to limited space, reservations are required for these free programs and can be made online at GreenfieldPrize.org or by calling 941-475-2098, ext. 8.
The Greenfield Prize celebration continues on Sunday, April 8th when Martyna Majok will be presented with her award at a special dinner at Michael’s on East, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota, beginning at 6:30 pm. In addition to the wonderful dinner and award presentation, those who attend will enjoy excerpts from two of Majok’s plays, directed by Urbanite Theater Artistic Director Brendan Ragan and performed by professional actors. Tickets for the dinner start at $150 and can be reserved online at GreenfieldPrize.org or by calling Craig Badinger at 941-475-2098, ext. 2.
“Another exciting Greenfield Prize weekend is upon us and we could not be more excited at the lineup of events,” remarked Executive Director Bruce E. Rodgers. “We have such a vibrant live theater community in Sarasota and we are seeing and enjoying more and more work by new playwrights. It would be hard to name a theater in town who is not presenting new work! Anyone who frequents these venues will enjoy the Saturday presentations, as well as our dinner with the live performances. One of the many great aspects of our Greenfield Prize weekend is they are always different, interesting and entertaining. This year is no exception. Please join us for one or more of the events. You will be glad you did.”
The Greenfield Prize at the Hermitage Artist Retreat is a groundbreaking partnership between the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation and the Hermitage Artist Retreat. Pursuing the mission “to bring into the world works of art that will have a significant impact on the broader or artistic culture,” the prize seeks to identify individuals whose past work and future prospects position them to achieve this lofty and ambitious goal. The prize is awarded annually and includes a $30,000 commission for a new piece of work to be created within a two-year time frame. A residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key in Englewood, FL, ensures time and space in which to do the work. The Greenfield Prize rotates each year among three artistic areas; drama, music, and visual arts. The new play written by Martyna Majok, as a result of this commission, is slated to be presented by Asolo Rep in the spring of 2020. For more information or to check out past recipients and events, visit GreenfieldPrize.org.
