WSU Theatre Alum wins $100,000

Wright State theater alum Christian Duhamel who received his BFA in Acting-Musical Theatre just won $100,000 for his work. Tony Award winner Edward Kleben left it in his will that cash prizes would be given to “musical theater writers whose work shows great potential,” according to a report by the NY Times.

Duhamel won the Kleban prize for librettist, or writer of a musical work. The $100,000 is payable over two years and winners were chosen by a special committee.

“Christian is honored to have been named the recipient of the 2018 Kleban Award for most promising musical theater librettist. He won the award for his work writing the book of My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend. The award is administered by New Dramatists on behalf of the The Kleban Foundation, Inc.,” according to a statement on Duhamel’s website.

The NY Times also reported that “according to the Kleban Foundation, the 63 artists who have received the prize over its 28 years have collectively won four Tony’s, two Pulitzer Prizes and 59 Emmy Awards.”

The Wright State Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures also congratulated Duhamel in a Facebook post, “Congratulations to Christian Duhamel (Wright State BFA Musical Theatre) on receiving the prestigious Ed Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre composition. Very proud of you!”

To learn more about Duhamel, click here.