LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring M. Edgar Rosenblum posthumously upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Irondale
Ensemble Project on November 15, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to
individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to the
cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor M.
Edgar Rosenblum posthumously upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Irondale Ensemble Project at its Awards Cere-
mony to be held on Monday, November 15, 2010; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Jim Niesen, Terry Greiss and Barbara Mackenzie-Wood
created a theater company dedicated to the ongoing exploration of thea-
ter as an art form and a force for educational and social change; and
WHEREAS, Through the power of the Ensemble Project, Irondale creates
and presents theater, performance and education programs that challenge
traditional assumptions about art and help us to better understand
today's world; the Irondale Center, its theater, laboratory and class-
room, is a home for ensemble artists of all disciplines and cultures and
a resource for the community; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, M. Edgar Rosenblum continually
demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent
leadership in his unwavering service to both the Irondale Ensemble
Project and the community; and
WHEREAS, M. Edgar Rosenblum was born on January 8, 1932, to Jacob and
Pauline Rosenblum; he graduated from Midwood High School and attended
Lafayette College and Bard College; and
WHEREAS, M. Edgar Rosenblum began his career in arts management in the
1950s, when he opened an art gallery in New York City; he later moved it
to Woodstock and began putting on concerts and play readings; throughout
the 1960s, he put on plays, children's shows and musical events at the
Woodstock Playhouse; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, M. Edgar Rosenblum came to the Long
Wharf Theater as its Executive Director in 1970, when it was only five
years old; upon his arrival, he forged an extraordinary 26-year partner-
ship with the theater's artistic director, one of the longest tenured
leadership tandems in the last half-century of regional theater; and
WHEREAS, Together, they raised Long Wharf Theater's profile with
numerous plays that moved on to Broadway; among them were "The Changing
Room" by David Storey and "The Gin Game," by D.L. Coburn; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at Long Wharf Theater, M. Edgar Rosenblum
combined remarkable business acumen with a deep and emotional devotion
to the art of theater and helped steer the theater to prominence in the
American theater landscape; he developed extraordinary work that trav-
eled to Broadway and elsewhere and won Pulitzer Prizes and Tony Awards
along the way; and
WHEREAS, In addition, M. Edgar Rosenblum taught theater management at
Yale throughout his career; he also served as President of the League of
American Regional Theaters and the American Arts Alliance, an advocacy
group now known as the Performing Arts Alliance; and
WHEREAS, After leaving the Long Wharf Theater, M. Edgar Rosenblum was
Executive Director of Theater for a New Audience in New York; at the
time of his passing, he was serving as Executive Director of the Cali-
fornia International Theater Festival; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout was his wife, Cornelia, his daughter,
Jessica, and his brother, Robert, all of whom feel privileged to have
been a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, M. Edgar Rosenblum dedicated himself to the performing arts,
which serve to inspire, enlighten, and unify people from all cultural
backgrounds through the transcendent power of human expression; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor M. Edgar Rosenblum posthumously upon the occasion of his desig-
nation for special recognition by the Irondale Ensemble Project on
November 15, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of M. Edgar Rosenblum.