Michael R. Jackson '03 (BFA, Dramatic Writing) / '05 (MFA, Graduate Musical Theatre Writing), (Photo: Marc J. Franklin)
Tisch alumnus and playwright Michael R. Jackson '03 (BFA, Dramatic Writing) / '05 (MFA, Graduate Musical Theatre Writing) has been named one of five winners of The New York Community Trust’s Helen Merrill Award for Playwriting.
Created by the late theatrical agent, Helen Merrill, in order to foster new talent and excellence in playwrighting, The Helen Merrill Fund has made 88 awards since 1999. It is considered to be one of the most significant prizes for playwrights in the country with an award amount of $30,000.
Jackson wrote lyrics and the book for the musical adaptation of the 2007 horror film Teeth with composer and co-bookwriter Anna K. Jacobs. His other musicals include White Girl In Danger and A Strange Loop, which is currently receiving its world premiere at Playwrights Horizons. He has received a 2017 Jonathan Larson Grant, a 2017 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, a 2017 ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award, a 2016/2017 Dramatist Guild fellowship, and was the 2017 Williamstown Theatre Festival Playwright-In-Residence.
Read more about Michael and fellow Helen Merrill award winners here.