The 16th annual Hermitage Greenfield Prize was held April 14 at Michael's On East, with 300 guests in attendance.Â
The 2024 winner of the jury-selected prize recipient in the theater discipline, Brooklyn-based playwright and theater artist Deepa Purohit said she was deeply grateful for the generous Hermitage Greenfield Prize. The award money and residency provide space, time and resources necessary for her to complete new work, which will premiere in Sarasota in spring 2026.
"Deepa impressed this year's jury with her inspiring vision and thought-provoking ideas. Her work invites us to tackle complex questions and consider new perspectives, while also encouraging us to open our minds through innovative storytelling. Deepa's dedication to her craft and her forward-thinking outlook are reflective of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize mission: to bring into the world works of art that have a significant impact on the broad as well as the artistic culture of our society," said Hermitage Artist Retreat Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg.
The mission of the Hermitage is to inspire and foster the most influential and culturally consequential art and artists of our time, and is the only major arts organization on Florida's Gulf Coast exclusively committed to supporting the development and creation of new works across all artistic disciplines.
Roy Cohen, and board member Ellen Berman with Fred and Bethany Niell
Photo by Janet Combs
Vocalist Kavita Shah is a Hermitage fellow, with Nandita Shenoy, and Hermitage Greenfield Prize recipient Deepa Purohit
Hermitage Artist Retreat Managing Director Stacia Lee and Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg
Photo by Janet Combs
Nina Sedule-Ross is volunteering as a greeter for the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner Celebration of Theater.
Photo by Janet Combs
Carrie Grubb, Alan Meudt and Dan Pierce enjoy the cocktail hour.
Photo by Janet Combs
Judy Cole, Susan Rawson and Jeannette Paladino
Photo by Janet Combs
Travis Ray and Aron Lamerson work the check-in table at Michael's On East.
