The Michael Mendelson Award for Outstanding Commitment to Theater was conceived in 2005 to recognize the extraordinary relationship Michael had with The New Group. For 10 years, Michael dedicated himself and all of his resources to building an organization that is both vibrant artistically and healthy financially. This award is given annually to honor individuals who, like Michael, have shown outstanding commitment to the theatrical community.
Robyn Goodman was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Second Stage Theatre for 13 seasons and 50 plays. After leaving she spent four years as Supervising Producer of "One Life to Live" (six Emmy Awards) and two seasons as Director of Artistic Development at Manhattan Theater Club. Since forming her own production company, Aged in Wood, Off-Broadway she has produced Avenue Q, which received the Tony Award for Best Musical of 2004, In The Heights (Tony Award for Best Musical of 2008), and the current revival of West Side Story. Other Broadway credits include Metamophoses (Drama Desk Award), A Class Act (Tony nomination), Steel Magnolias, Barefoot in the Park, and High Fidelity. Off Broadway she produced Bat Boy, tick, tick... BOOM!, Our Lady of 121st Street, Red Light Winter and the award-winning Altar Boyz. She is currently the Artistic Consultant to The Roundabout Theatre Company.
Past recipients include:
2008 - Ethan Hawke
2007 - Ruth and Stephen Hendel
2006 - Wendy Ettinger and Derek McLane