<p>It was just announced that Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, 2 U of M 2007 MT grads (they both graduated in December in order to pursue their joint composition career full-time) have been won the Jonathan Larson award for emerging young composers. Not only that, they will be awarded the biggest amount ever from this prestigious program: $20,000! </p>
<p>From the official press release:</p>
<p>Jonathan Larson’s dream was to infuse musical theatre with a contemporary,
joyful urban vitality. After 12 years of struggle as a classic “starving
artist,” his dream came true with the phenomenal success of RENT. To
celebrate his creative spirit and honor his memory, Jonathan’s family and
friends created the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation. The mission
of the Foundation is to provide financial support and encouragement to a new
generation of musical theatre composers, lyricists and bookwriters, as well
as nonprofit theatre companies that develop and produce their work. It is
one of the few places where individual creative theatre artists can turn for
help. Each year, the Foundation receives over 150 applications, which are
carefully reviewed by readers, staff and trustees. The finalists are sent to
a panel of noted theatre professionals to determine the final list of
recipients and grant amounts. The awards are presented at a gala awards
luncheon each February.</p>
<p>See their websites:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.pasekandpaul.com%5B/url%5D”>www.pasekandpaul.com</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...dID=735[/url]”>http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...dID=735</a> 32091</p>
<p>Justin, the pianist of the duo, is also an Equity actor who played the lead in UM’s fall production of the Peter Mills musical PURSUIT OF PERSEPHONE.</p>