The Writers Guild of America, East will honor Albee during its 62nd annual ceremony at the Hudson Theatre. The award was created in the memory of former guild executive director Burkey, who dedicated her professional life to supporting writers.

"In both word and deed, Edward Albee has lived a life of letters that distinguishes writers wherever they may be. He would be a notable recipient of the Burkey Award for his body of work alone, but in addition, through his Edward F. Albee Foundation and its William Flanagan Center, Mr. Albee has encouraged and honored the creativity of countless others toiling in all aspects of the arts," said Writers Guild of America, East president Michael Winship in a statement.

Edward Albee's work includes his Tony Award-winning dramas Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? He received Tony nominations for The Ballad of the Sad Café, Tiny Alice, A Delicate Balance, Seascape, and was awarded a Tony for Lifetime Achievement in 2005. His plays A Delicate Balance, Three Tall Women and Seascape were each awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Albee has also been honored with the Gold Medal in Drama from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, the Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts.

The Los Angeles component of the WGA Awards will also be presented on Feb. 20 in Los Angeles. For tickets to the New York event, phone (212) 767-7812 or visit WGAEast.org.

The Hudson Guild Theatre is located at 145 West 44 Street in Manhattan.