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Rep. McCarty Applauds the Eugene O’Neill Theater
Will Receive National Medal of Arts from President Obama
WATERFORD – State Rep. Kathleen McCarty (R-38) is applauding the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center for its highest achievement to date. President Obama will present the O’Neill Theater with the National Medal of Arts this week in Washington.
Rep. McCarty has long supported the theater and all that it contributes to the arts, culture and economy of Waterford’s community and beyond.
“Congratulations to our treasured O’Neill Theater – a wonderful theatrical and educational institution that has provided entertainment for over five decades of American history!” said Rep. McCarty. “How exciting for the O’Neill Theater to be recognized with the nation’s highest honor for excelling in such a prestigious field. The National Medal of Arts is very much deserved by the O’Neill Theater and it will be celebrated for many years to come.”
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The 2015 National Medal of Arts will be presented to the O’Neill on Thursday, September 22 at a special White House Ceremony. Tune in to watch it live at www.whitehouse.gov/live.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Medal of Arts is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their
outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.
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Colloquially called the “Launchpad of the American Theater,” the O’Neill discovers and develops new work and new artists for the American theater. Founded in 1964, by George and Betsy White, it is home to a
number of national conferences, including the National Playwrights Conference, National Music Theater Conference, and the National Theater Institute. Staff and alumni from the O’Neill have won every major award in theater arts and the theater itself is the recipient of two Tony Awards, in 1979 for Theatrical Excellence and in 2010 for Regional Theater. The O’Neill has launched the careers of August Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Wendy Wasserstein, John Patrick Shanley, Michael Douglas, Meryl Streep,
John Krasinski, Jennifer Garner, Rachel Dratch, Elizabeth Olsen, and thousands more.
Congratulations to Preston Whiteway, Executive Director, Tom Viertel, Chairman, Betsy and George White Founders, and to the entire O’Neill Family on this outstanding achievement.
