LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lynn Nottage for her outstanding play,
RUINED, which just completed a successful run at the Manhattan Theatre
Club

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be underestimated; and
WHEREAS, The history, the heritage, and the lives of the people of all
countries and all cultures are portrayed in their music, dance and
literature; the art and act of sharing them enriches us altogether; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
individuals of historic and artistic significance whose creative talents
have contributed to the cultural enrichment of our communities and our
Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lynn
Nottage for her outstanding play, RUINED, which just completed a
successful run at the Manhattan Theatre Club; and
WHEREAS, A world-premiere co-production with the Goodman Theatre,
RUINED began previews at the Manhattan Theatre Club on January 21, 2009,
and ran through March 29, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Set in a small town in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
RUINED follows a shrewd businesswoman, Mama Nadi, and the women she
protects and profits from in a land torn apart by civil war; and
WHEREAS, Lynn Nottage is a playwright from Brooklyn, New York, whose
other work includes: "Intimate Apparel," "Fabulation, or the Re-Educa-
tion of Undine," "Crumbs from the Table of Joy," and "Las Meninas,"
which have been produced and developed at theatres both nationally and
internationally; and
WHEREAS, The quintessential artist, Lynn Nottage has been the recipi-
ent of a multitude of awards including the 2007 MacArthur Genius Award,
an OBIE Award for playwriting in 2005, the New York Drama Critics'
Circle Award for Best Play, the John Gassner Award for Best Playwright,
the Outer Critic Circle Award for Best Play and the American Theatre
Critics/Steinberg New Play Award in 2004; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Lynn Nottage was awarded a 2007 Lucille Lortel
Foundation Fellowship, a 2005 Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Black
Theatre Festival August Wilson Playwriting Award and the 2004 PEN/Laura
Pels Award for Drama; and
WHEREAS, A recent graduate of New Dramatists, Lynn Nottage is also a
graduate of Brown University and the Yale School of Drama, where she is
currently a visiting lecturer; among her most recent publications are:
INTIMATE APPAREL AND FABULATION and an anthology of her plays, CRUMBS
FROM THE TABLE OF JOY AND OTHER PLAYS; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of the
performing arts, which act to inspire, enlighten, and unify people from
all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of human
expression; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; as we celebrate the arts, we celebrate
and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in which
artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression of the
soul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lynn Nottage for her outstanding play, RUINED, which just

completed a successful run at the Manhattan Theatre Club and wish her
continued success in all of her future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lynn Nottage.