Treasure Island wins AATE Distinguished Play Award for Best Adaptation

On Sunday, August 9th, 2009, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education presented Ken Ludwig with the Distinguished Play Award for his adaptation of Treasure Island. The award ceremony was held as part of the annual AATE/ATHE (Association for Theatre and Higher Education) Conference in New York City.The AATE Awards honor exceptional individuals as well as organizations for the high quality work they perform in the field of theatre with and for young audiences. Recipients represent the best in the field and inspire others with the outstanding work, commitment, and dedication. The AATE Awards are presented annually at the National Conference.The distinguished Play Award honors the playwright(s) and the publisher(s) of the most outstanding plays for young people published during the past calendar year (January to December). The successful script demonstrates superiority in execution, delineation of characters, theatricality, and appropriateness of style. Selected scripts respect young people's understandings and abilities, providing them with perspectives on their own experiences while enhancing their imagination and emotional growth.Coincidentally, Lynda Sharpe, winner of the John C. Barner Teacher of the Year Award, was directing her students in a production of Ken Ludwig's adaptation of The Three Musketeers at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as the awards ceremony was in progress. Two of her former students were present to receive the award on her behalf and took photographs with Ken. Congratulations to Lynda and her students!