Alan Alda Helps Irondale To Celebrate 35 Years Of Theater

Irondale, Brooklyn's leading theatrical ensemble producing immersive and non-traditional performance experiences, will present the M. Edgar Rosenblum Award to American actor, author and playwright, Alan Alda. The award will be presented at Irondale's 35th Anniversary Celebration Benefit, May 10, 2018, at the Norwood Club in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

The M. Edgar Rosenblum Award, named for one of the most innovative producers in the American not-for-profit theater, is Irondale's way of honoring those whose work and core values demonstrate a commitment to enriching audiences and communities through the arts. It recognizes artists, public servants, educators, and community and business leaders whose actions reflect the values of the company. Alda, the 2018 recipient, is being recognized for his remarkable work as an actor, writer and director and his work using theatrical improvisation to enhance science communication. He is the founder of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University teaching scientists to communicate their work more effectively with the public. The mission of the Alda Center mirrors Irondale's STEM to STEAM program Alda, which aids young engineers and mathematicians (14-18 years old) to present their work with clarity. Alda's integrity as an artist, and the lasting affect of his work, parallels all that the M. Edgar Rosenblum Award represents.

"Each year we honor someone whose life, work and character inspires our own, and Alan Alda is such a person," explains Irondale's Executive Director Terry Greiss. "His work as an actor and writer is reason enough to be awarded, but his commitment to using theater as a way for people to better understand each other, and the world we live in, has inspired Irondale Ensembles' work. There is no one better suited for us to honor."

Since its inception in 1983, Irondale has created 84 off-Broadway productions, established To Protect, Serve and Understand, an ongoing workshop to build better relationships between members of the community and officers of the NYPD, and served more than 30,000 students, teachers and members of the New York City community through its STEM to STEAM and Irondale's Young Company programs.

While Irondale's current home in Fort Greene, Brooklyn revived a 160-year-old derelict church space into a fully equipped, modern theater, the organization has served its community for more than three decades. The 35th Anniversary benefit will raise funds for Irondale's renowned programs as well as Brecht in Exile, the company's next large scale theatrical undertaking, staging Life of Galileo, Mother Courage, and The Good Person of Szechwanover the next 3 seasons.

35th Annual Benefit Information

Irondale's 35th Annual Benefit honoring Alan Alda will take place on May 10, 2018 at The Norwood Club. Doors open at 6:30p.m. Cocktails, hearty hors d'oeuvres, special guests and an art buffet of live and video entertainment will be included.

Tickets are still available at 718-488-9233 or https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10244981

VENUE INFORMATION

Norwood Club is located a 241 W 14th Street, and accessible by the 1,2 and 3 trains.

ABOUT Alan Alda

Alan Alda, 7-time Emmy Award-winner, played Hawkeye Pierce and wrote many of the episodes on the classic TV series M*A*S*H, the final episode of which was seen by more than 105 million people, still a record audience. Alan has starred in, written and directed many films, and was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Aviator. He has appeared in continuing roles on ER, The West Wing, 30 Rock, The Blacklist, Louis CK's Horace and Pete, and CBS's new streaming series The Good Fight.

His skills as an interviewer were honed for 11 years on the award-winning PBS series Scientific American Frontiers where he interviewed hundreds of the world's greatest scientists. Using his experience as an actor in relating to the people he interviews, he has brought out their humanity and humor, while lending clarity to sometimes complex ideas.

This became the basis of the work of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, which has trained over 11,000 doctors and scientists to be world class communicators. Alan is the author of several New York Times Best Selling books, the most recent being the 2017 break out book on relating and communicating, "If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?" The book, which has also been #1 on Amazon's top seller list for business and communication, explores the importance of relating in every line of work, and in every aspect of our lives.

Alan is also the founder and CEO of Alda Communication Training (ACT), which supports the Alda Center by helping to provide global workshops for STEM and business professionals seeking to better their communication and leadership skills.

Alan is also launching a podcast, "Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda" in July of 2018. The podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts and on his official web site at: AlanAlda.com

ABOUT IRONDALE

Located in the heart of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, Irondale is the home of the Irondale Ensemble Project. It is a theatre ensemble, a performance think-tank and a collaborative laboratory for non-traditional artists. Irondale's unique and transformational space has gained much attention as a place for both established and emerging artists to premiere major projects and showcase developing work. The Irondale Ensemble Project was founded in 1983 by Jim Niesen, Terry Greiss, and Barbara Mackenzie-Wood and is one of the longest established permanent ensemble theaters in the country. The ensemble has created over 60 Off-Broadway productions from intimate chamber productions of Shakespeare to company devised epic work. Irondale's learning programs provide high quality, cutting-edge workshops and school residencies designed to develop the artist in every human being.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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