Health & Fitness
Trumbull's Larissa Mark to be Honored by The Dramatists Guild of America
Trumbull High School senior will be recognized for her work to reinstate their production of 'Rent.'
Jessica Spillane, the director at the production of Rent at Trumbull High School, has announced that on February 24, Larissa Mark will be honored by The Dramatists Guild of America at its annual awards at the Lamb's Club in New York. Ms. Mark, a senior at Trumbull High, serves as the stage manager and assistant director of the musical.
Ms. Mark will be the first ever recipient of the Dramatist Legal Defense Fund's Defender Award for her work to reinstate the production of Rent at THS. "I couldn't be more proud of her!!" writes Ms. Spillane. She will be recognized with some impressive honorees, including Tony Award winner Christopher Durang for his play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.
The high school senior writes "I am incredibly honored to be The Dramatist Guild's first recipient of the DFDL Defender Award for fighting the cancellation of Trumbull High School's production of Rent. Thank you to everyone who supported our Thespian Troupe in our endeavor to bring Rent into fruition this Spring!"
Click here to read about the beginning of the controversy on Trumbull Patch.
Click here to read more about the manner in which change was made.
And yes, the controversy made the NY Times.
Writer/Producer/Director Chip Deffaa was especially pleased to learn of this award.
"As a Dramatist Guild member, I am very happy that the Guild will be presenting a special award to 17-year-old Larissa Mark for successfully leading the fight to present Jonathan Larson's musical Rent at her high school. As you may recall, the principal tried to cancel the students' planned production of Rent as their school musical at Trumbull (CT) High School, saying it was too controversial to be performed at their school. Larsissa Mark quickly organized a campaign to let the show go on, which soon attracted national attention. Congrats, Larissa! And I'm very much looking forward to seeing your school's production of Rent."
As am I. Click for show information.
Trumbull for RENT Facebook page
