Theatrical publishing and licensing company Samuel French will honor some of the theatre community's most respected artists, activists and rising stars on Mon Oct 24 when they bestow the Samuel French Awards in a private reception. This year's recipients include Tony nominated and Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Sarah Ruhl; playwright and artistic director of The New Black Fest, Keith Josef Adkins; musical theatre writers Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond. In addition to the awards presentation, the evening will feature live performances by Laura Benanti with songwriter Todd Almond, Kathleen Chalfant, actor and playwright Matt Shingledecker, Dennis A. Allen, MaameYaa Boafo & Michael Kooman. Ms Ruhl will receive the Award for Sustained Excellence in American Theatre, bestowed upon a Samuel French playwright, composer or lyricist whose body of work has been successfully produced across the nation, at both amateur and professional levels. Along with the award, a donation will be made to Piven Theatre and Yale Repertory Theatre, two regional theaters that strongly influenced and affected Ruhl's career. Mr Adkins of The New Black Fest will receive the Award for Impact & Activism in the Theatre Community, given to an individual who has significantly impacted the theatre community through activism in the past year. Along with the award, a donation will be made to The New Black Fest. Mr Kooman and Mr Dimond will receive The Next Step Award, an award which celebrates and supports playwrights, composers or lyricists toward the next step of their career. The award recognizes artists who have demonstrated strong energy and talent in their career thus far, and offers support for a current or shelved project. Press contact: Brett Oberman/Keith Sherman & Associates (212/764-7900)...