LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mac Wellman upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of an Honorary Award by the Brooklyn Arts
Exchange Arts and Artists in Progress

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to honor and recog-
nize those individuals whose commitment and creative talents contribute
to the cultural enrichment of their communities and of the entire State
of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mac
Wellman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of an Honorary
Award, to be celebrated at the 14th Annual Brooklyn Arts Exchange Arts
and Artists in Progress Awards Ceremony, on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at
the Brooklyn Arts Exchange Building, Park Slope, Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) Arts and Artists in Progress
awards recognize individuals in the arts who have revealed and trans-
formed their creative works; by instigating change, they have deepened
the definition of their field and paved the way for others; and
WHEREAS, These distinguished awards are given to some of the most
talented, generous, creative, and inventive persons in New York City
dance, theater or performance; and
WHEREAS, An American playwright, author, and poet, Mac Wellman holds
the distinguished position of Professor of Play Writing at Brooklyn
College; and
WHEREAS, Mac Wellman is best known for his experimental work in the
theater which rebels against theatrical conventions, often abandoning
such traditional elements as plot and character altogether; his plays
frequently resemble a moving collage of events; and
WHEREAS, In the fall of 2006, Mac Wellman and composer, David Lang,
presented THE DIFFICULTY OF CROSSING A FIELD at Montclair State Univer-
sity in New Jersey; two years later, he produced 1965 UU for performer
Paul Lazar, and directed by Stephen Mellor at the Chocolate Factory in
New York; and
WHEREAS, In October of 2011, Mac Wellman's 3 2'S; OR AFAR was
performed at Dixon Place in New York; in 2013, he presented HORRACKS
(AND TOUTATIS TOO) WOO WORLD WU at Emerson College in Boston; and
WHEREAS, Mac Wellman's most recent work, MUAZZEZ, with Steve Mellor,
was showcased at PS 122's COIL Festival, at the Chocolate Factory in
2014; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Mac Wellman released his third novel, Q'S Q, and two
years later, he published a volume of stories, A CHRONICLE OF THE
MADNESS OF SMALL WORLDS, as well as a new collection of plays entitled
THE DIFFICULTY OF CROSSING A FIELD; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Mac Wellman printed several books of poetry,
including MINIATURE in 2002, STRANGE ELEGIES in 2006, SPLIT THE STICK in
2012, and LEFT GLOVE in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Mac Wellman was the recipient of numerous awards and acco-
lades for his work; he received three Obie Awards, and his 2011 novel,
LINDA PERDIDO won the FC2 Catherine Doctorow Prize for innovative
fiction; he also accepted Fellowships from NEA, Guggenheim, and Founda-
tion of Contemporary Arts; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals who add strength, vigor and inspiration to the
cultural diversity and quality of life in the communities of the State
of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our playwrights and authors, and to express our

appreciation to everyone who patronizes the arts; and 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 Mac Wellman upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
an Honorary Award by the Brooklyn Arts Exchange Arts and Artists in
Progress; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mac Wellman.