LPTW Presents Awards Celebration and Big Mingle

On Monday, March 16, the League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), will recognize the talents of five outstanding women: Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Kathleen Chalfant, Sandra A. Daley-Sharif, Rachel Dickenstein and Donyale Werle. The awards will be presented at the League's 2015 Awards Celebration & Big Mingle, to be held at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

In connection to the Awards, the LPTW is running its annual online Auction. Two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran ("Noises Off," "It's Only A Play") is the Auction Celebrity Chair; Pat Addiss and Mari Lyn Henry are the Co-Chairs. The auction runs from February 13 - March 17, 2015 at BiddingforGood.com. Special prizes include tickets to Broadway's "It's Only a Play" (with a special backstage visit with Finneran) and a personalized voicemail recording from Hugh Jackman. The auction is open to the public.

Kathleen Chalfant, Tony Nominee and Drama Desk Award-winner, will be presented with The Lifetime Achievement Award by Sybille Pearson.

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 Anna Louizos to set designer Donyale Werle, 2012 Tony-Award winner for "Peter and the Starcatcher."

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 Rachel Dickstein, Artistic Director of "Ripe Time" by Ellen McLaughlin.

The Lee 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. Mary-Mitchell Campbell, one of Broadway's top music directors and orchestrators, will be presented with the award for the work she does with Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP).

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 Sandra A. Daley-Sharif, Obie Award Winner for "48 Hours in Harlem." She will be presented with the award by Dael Orlandersmith.

Tickets to attend the Awards Ceremony & Big Mingle reception are $100 for members, $135 for non-members, and $250 for VIP (which include premium seating).

The LPTW Awards Ceremony & Big Mingle will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16 at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street.