Playhouse Square Board of Trustees Chair Amy Brady bestowed the organization’s Henkel Lewis Award to internationally-recognized urban designer Danny Barnycz on October 30 during the organization’s Chairman’s Dinner. The Henkel Lewis Award, formerly known as the Playhouse Square Star Award, is the organization’s highest honor.
As Chief Creatologist at The Barnycz Group, Barnycz creates the next generation of extraordinary experiences. With dynamic environments and experiential designs totaling more than 100 million square feet and counting, he leads each project through the rigors of design, development, construction, fabrication and implementation.
His work can be seen around the world – from New York City to Washington D.C., Las Vegas and Dubai – as well as Playhouse Square with Dazzle the District in 2014 and Marquee Moments this past September.
Past award honorees include composer Marvin Hamlisch; prolific lyricist Sir Tim Rice; Disney Theatricals President Thomas Schumacher; Broadway producers Michael David and Edward Strong, Margo Lion, Hal Luftig, Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, David Stone, and Barry and Fran Weissler; and pioneering Playhouse Square leaders Oliver C. “Pudge” Henkel, Jr. and John F. Lewis.
Prior to the presentation of the award to Barnycz, it was announced that the Playhouse Square Star Award would be renamed the “Henkel Lewis Award” to honor Oliver C. “Pudge” Henkel, Jr. and John F. Lewis for their lifetime dedication to the performing arts.
The Playhouse Square Henkel Lewis Award is bestowed annually to an individual(s) whose work continues to enhance the world around us through lifetime dedication to the performing arts, contributions to our culture, proven leadership and creative thinking.