Broadway Theater Panel

During the 2005 International Achievement Summit in New York City, the Academy of Achievement invited its student delegates to the Broadway theater district for an exploration of the role of the performing arts in society. The panelists for this program were an incomparable gathering of theatrical luminaries. America's foremost playwright, Edward Albee, is the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes, author of the classic drama Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Broadway's most honored composer, Stephen Sondheim first won fame as the lyricist of West Side Story and wrote music and lyrics for a series of landmark Broadway musicals including A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd. Tony Kushner received the Pulitzer Prize for his play Angels in America. James Earl Jones has had one of the most distinguished careers in the history of American theater and film, winning acclaim for his performances in the plays of Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams and August Wilson. Sally Field and Denzel Washington are two of America's best-loved actors. Field received two Oscars for her starring performances in the films Norma Rae and Places in the Heart. Denzel Washington received two Oscars for his performances in Glory and Training Day. This historic discussion was led by the Artistic Director of New York's Public Theater, Oskar Eustis.