Theatre Projects' David Staples honored with ISPA International Citation of Merit

	David Staples receiving the ISPA International Citation of Merit Award. Photo courtesy Theatre Projects

Theatre Projects announces that David Staples has been awarded the International Citation of Merit by the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA). The award recognizes "a unique lifetime achievement which has enriched the international performing arts." The award was presented by Benson Puah, CEO of The Esplanade in Singapore, on January 11 at the 2018 ISPA Congress in New York.

ISPA selected Staples to receive the award in recognition of his distinguished career as a theatre consultant. For over 40 years, he has planned theatres, concert halls, and opera houses in some 67 countries. Staples has advocated for arts organizations, jump-started projects, and drafted design competitions for more than 200 theatres, opera houses, concert halls, and other cultural facilities. As a project manager and arts advocate, he's been instrumental in the design of some of the world's most recognizable venues including the Oslo Opera House (Norway), Dubai Opera (United Arab Emirates), Portland'5 Centers for the Arts (Oregon), Esplanade -- Theatres on the Bay (Singapore), Royal Opera House Muscat (Oman), and Lowry Centre (Salford, England).

"I have been a member of ISPA for over 37 years. It is an astonishing collection of leaders in the performing arts world," Staples said. "To receive this award and acknowledgment from ISPA is an extraordinary honor and privilege."

Staples has significantly impacted international theatre and arts management communities. His approach to his work, Staples said, is "to enjoy working as part of creative teams -- client, architect, and consultants to plan, design, and construct theatres that are relevant and appropriate for their city and culture." By following his own advice Staples has had a stellar career, including an impressive body of work with over 86,000 theatre seats created.

This lifetime achievement award is Staples' second ISPA honor. In 2007 he received the Patrick Hayes Award, which recognizes ISPA members who have "demonstrated transformative leadership in the performing arts." The only other person in the history of ISPA to win both the Patrick Hayes Award and the International Citation of Merit was Theatre Projects' own Tony Field.