EST will present Shanley, a longtime member of the troupe, with the Distinguished Member Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to theatre as part of the 37th anniversary benefit dinner. Artists who have collaborated with Shanley throughout his career on stage and screen are scheduled to take part in the presentation. "Law and Order" executive producer Fred Berner and Sundance Channel executive vice president Laura Michalchyshyn are benefit co-chairs.

Honorary chairs for the event include Nicolas Cage, Peter Finn, Bob and Jill Jaffe, Lynne Meadow, Jerry Saviola, Evan Shapiro and Meryl Streep.

Shanley received the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize in Drama for Doubt, which he adapted and directed for the screen. The film adaptation of Doubt received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Shanley's works also include the plays Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Defiance, The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, the musical Romantic Poetry and the Oscar-winning screenplay for "Moonstruck."

For further information visit EnsembleStudioTheatre.