MTI CEO Freddie Gershon, and wife Myrna, have partnered with the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC to create and fund a grant program to reward outstanding teachers in honor of their friend, composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.  According to the Washington Examiner, "The Kennedy Center-Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards announced Tuesday will award $10,000 grants to U.S. teachers in any subject. Organizers say Sondheim credits teachers for his success.  The awards were created for Sondheim's 80th birthday this year. They will be given each year on his birthday in March."

The entire MTI family extends heartfelt thanks to the Gershons for their generosity, as well as our sincerest congratulations to Stephen Sondheim for his passionate commitment to education.

Playbill's Adam Hetrick's article, "Kennedy Center Names Educational Award for Stephen Sondheim" provides some more information on this exciting new grant, as well as past educational initiatives spearheaded by Freddie and MTI.  It's a great read, so check it out by clicking here.

The New York Times "Arts Beat" article can be found here.

Theatermania's post can be found here.

Shows by Stephen Sondheim

Anyone Can Whistle
Assassins
Candide (1973)
Candide (1999)
Company
Follies
Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, A
Into The Woods
Into The Woods Junior
Marry Me A Little
Little Night Music, A
Merrily We Roll Along
Pacific Overtures
Passion
Putting It Together (1999 Bway)
Saturday Night
Side By Side By Sondheim
Sunday In The Park…
Sweeney Todd
West Side Story
You're Gonna Love Tomorrow
Frogs,The
Sweeney Todd School Edition