The 2023 Arthur Miller Foundation Honors, held at City Winery NYC on Monday, November 6, 2023, was a true celebration of theater teachers and the life-altering possibilities of theater education. Our magnetic hosts, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young – stars of the Purlie Victorious Broadway revival – led us with humor and feeling through an evening that revealed the many ways in which a single teacher impacts the lives of their students.
The 2023 Honorees:
- JERRE & MARY JOY STEAD – AMF Humanitarian Award
- MARTYNA MAJOK – AMF Legacy Award
- TALIA JAIME – AMF Excellence in Arts Education Award
This year’s AMF Humanitarian Award was presented to Jerre and Mary Joy Stead. The Steads embody a philanthropic gold standard; we commend their dedication to creating lifelong learners and innovative leaders of the future and are deeply grateful to be the recipients of their generosity.
Our AMF Legacy Award went to Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok. Martyna’s work in theater has had an immeasurable impact on countless audiences, and has been shaped and championed by mentors throughout her career. We were so happy to have Martyna as such an integral part of the evening.
We were proud to present the AMF Excellence in Arts Education Award to New York City Public School Theater Teacher, Talia Jaime. Talia’s ability to create for her students, in the words of Principal Paul Gumina, “a safe and nurturing environment where every student feels valued and empowered to express themselves” made her an ideal honoree. Talia was a member of our first cohort of AMF Fellows, and we were thrilled to honor her profound impact.
Attendees learned how significant Arthur Miller Foundation Theater Education Programs are in uplifting the voices and improving the lives of young people. Performers Brian d’Arcy James, Philippe Arroyo, Justin David Sullivan, Jordan Donica, and Samantha Williams, shared moving stories of teachers and mentors who changed their lives, coupled with magnificent musical performances by these Broadway veterans and rising stars. AMF Executive Director Jaime Hastings produced the event alongside a stellar creative team, made up of Music Director Julie McBride, Director Zi Alikhan, and Student Ensemble Director and Co- Producer Sasha Hutchings.
A special highlight of the evening was a performance of “A Brand New Day” from The Wiz by the students of theater teacher honoree Talia Jaime’s Advanced Acting Class. If you missed it or want to relive this moment, click below to watch a video of their stirring performance:
Honors Ceremony & Performance:
Red carpet:
