LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the Irondale Ensemble Project's
INSPIRE! and paying tribute to the 2015 honorees at its 5th Annual M.
Edgar Rosenblum Awards event

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to
individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to the
cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate
the Irondale Ensemble Project's INSPIRE! and to pay tribute to the 2015
honorees at the 5th Annual M. Edgar Rosenblum Awards event; this auspi-
cious occasion will be held on June 25, 2015, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 M. Edgar Rosenblum Awards honorees include: Chancel-
lor of the New York City Department of Education, Carmen Farina, for her
outstanding leadership and strong commitment to arts education; the Pig
Pen Theatre Company, for its award-winning work which inspires the next
generation of artists; and Jon Gould Rubin, who is receiving the inau-
gural Living the Life Award for his 40 years of achievement as an excep-
tional actor, director, producer, teacher; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1983, the Irondale Ensemble Project is one of the
most long-established companies of its kind in the United States; its
work ranges from both accurate versions and radical reinterpretations of
the classics, to original creations, often with a strong emphasis on
company created music; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Irondale Ensemble Project has
created over 60 productions, offering audiences a wide range of plays
which include the American premier of Brecht's "Conversations in Exile,"
and re-imaginings of Buchner, Chekhov, Gogol, Ibsen, Ostrovsky, Sopho-
cles, Shakespeare, and Strindberg, as well as 13 original works created
collaboratively by the company; and
WHEREAS, At the heart of this remarkable theatrical project is the
spirit of collaboration and the idea of the ensemble; and
WHEREAS, A leader in the national ensemble theatre movement, the Iron-
dale Ensemble Project helped to create and manage the Network of Ensem-
ble Theatres from 2001-2007; this ethos has been further developed since
the opening of its new home in Fort Greene, Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, After renovating the former Sunday School of the historic
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in 2008, the Irondale Ensemble
Project became the first new organization to open in the Brooklyn
Cultural District with its state-of-the-art theatre in Fort Greene serv-
ing as the company's first permanent home; and
WHEREAS, Over its illustrious 33 year history, the Irondale Ensemble
Project has utilized its distinctive approach to expand appreciation for
the arts in public schools, universities, special education facilities,
correctional facilities, shelters, youth centers and cultural organiza-
tions; and
WHEREAS, A pioneer in the field of arts education, the Irondale Ensem-
ble Project has used theatre to enhance teaching and learning for thou-
sands of students, teachers and at-risk youth; and
WHEREAS, The Irondale Ensemble Project has developed literacy programs
for special education students in collaboration with District 75, and
has helped train middle and high school students in theatrical improvi-
sation to develop their presentation, critical thinking, and teamwork
skills in its STEAM (the "A" is for Acting) program; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Irondale Ensemble Project provides training
for children and teens on site, as well as in school residencies and
partnerships throughout New York City; the organization has also offered

space subsidies and technical assistance to 45 performing groups and
more than 400 artists; and
WHEREAS, Many of Irondale Ensemble Project Young Company alumni now
attend such schools as Carnegie Mellon, Dartmouth and Sarah Lawrence, or
are currently teaching in its programs; former company members also
continue to build on their Irondale work with their own ensembles
including Irondale Canada, Epic Theatre Ensemble, Big Dance Theatre,
Strike Anywhere, and Letter of Marque; and
WHEREAS, The Irondale Ensemble Project is a member of the Downtown
Brooklyn Arts Alliance and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; it also has
active partnerships with BRIC Arts Media, Mark Morris Dance Group,
Brooklyn Historical Society, Weeksville Heritage Center, Wave Hill, and
CUNY, and many others; and
WHEREAS, Committed to making a global impact, the Irondale Ensemble
Project and its senior members have toured Russia, created programs for
AIDS affected children in South Africa, and directed at the Drama Centre
London, a premier British training program; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Irondale Ensemble Project is the premier destina-
tion for artistic innovation, quality arts education programming, and a
home and support for many underserved artists and companies; its work
inside theatres and in the community is held in the highest esteem; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the Irondale Ensemble Project's INSPIRE! and to paying tribute
to the 2015 honorees at its 5th Annual M. Edgar Rosenblum Awards; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Irondale Ensemble Project, and aforementioned honorees.