Howell Binkley to Receive Michael Merritt Award

The 24th Annual Merritt Awards for Excellence in Design and Collaboration will take place on Monday, May 13th, 2019 at Columbia College Chicago from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

Legendary Broadway and theatre lighting designer Howell Binkley (Hamilton, In the Heights, Ain't Too Proud -- The Life and Times of The Temptations, Come From Away, A Bronx Tale, After Midnight, How to Succeed...) will receive the 2019 Merritt Award.

Lighting designer Jason Lynch, costume shop manager Heidi McMath, costume designer Birgit Rattenborg Wise, and costume manager Jerica Hucke will receive major awards in addition to student and exhibition prizes.

The Merritts return to Columbia College Chicago where the Merritt Awards began. This year's event will be held in the newly renovated Getz Theatre Center.

The Michael Merritt Awards and Endowment Fund honors the memory of a brilliant designer and inspirational teacher. This national award, unique in its emphasis on excellence in both design and collaboration, has been presented annually since 1994 to outstanding professional theatrical designers. The Endowment Fund recognizes and encourages the work of young professionals and students through a national design exposition and prizes to promising theatrical design students.