Marianne Murphy, a prolific professional actor, an alumna of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and a key supporter of the school's world-famous theater program, has won a 2006 Red Carpet Award, given each year by the organization Women in Theatre for extensive support to theater in greater Los Angeles. The award will be conferred during a ceremony in Los Angeles on Oct. 14.

Murphy has been one of the UCLA theater department's most loyal and engaged donors, sponsoring with a generous annual gift The Marianne Murphy Women & Philanthropy Play Reading Series. By offering student playwrights the opportunity to see and hear their work performed, the series supports the creation of new theatrical work that explores the contributions of women to society.

The empowering effect that programs like the Murphy Play Reading Series have on their participants has been strongly acknowledged by student participants such as Marlene Shelton, who told UCLA's Daily Bruin, "Life is harder as a woman, you have to run a little faster and be a little better. [It's good that there are] agencies out there that solicit women's plays and festivals for women's plays … a movement out there to specifically reach out to women in this business."

Established in 2002, the series provides a stepping-stone to the world of professional production and a first taste of exposure to an audience.

Murphy also has created two other ongoing awards programs at UCLA named for her parents and reflecting the circumstances of their educations: The John Ringlbauer UCLA Veteran's Scholarship, which supports a student returning to college after serving in the military, and The Margaret H. Brown Undergraduate Scholarship, for single parents continuing their education in nursing.

After earning an M.F.A. in theater from Southern Methodist University, Murphy studied acting in New York and launched a prolific professional career as a theater, film and television actress. Her acting and directing has encompassed regional, East Coast and international theater, as well as many daytime and prime-time television shows. Her feature film credits include "Semi-Tough," "The Lonely Guy" and Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo." She worked as a voice and speech specialist and recently spent a semester at Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan, teaching theater and directing "The Unforgiven," a play by one of her fellow teachers.

Murphy is affiliated with many UCLA support organizations, including the UCLA Alumni Association (life member); the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Alumni Association; TFT Angels, the premier philanthropic group for the School of Theater, Film and Television (member since 1999); The UCLA Foundation (board of governors); and The UCLA Fund (chancellor's associate). She also is a member of the board of directors of Women & Philanthropy at UCLA, an organization that recognizes and promotes women's leadership and philanthropy on the UCLA campus.

Murphy is a repertory member of the Creative Actors Alliance, a diverse group that actively seeks new scripts and creates projects that feature alliance members while also creating work for disabled and minority actors.

Organized in 1978 as a support group for women in the arts, Women in Theatre is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting positive images of women and empowering theater-arts professionals through performances, education, networking, service and outreach in Southern California. Every month, the group offers several events, including play readings, playwriting workshops, luncheons with guest speakers, cold-reading classes and other special programs.

A key goal of the Red Carpet Awards is to salute dedicated — yet perhaps unsung — theatrical participants throughout greater Los Angeles and those who provide community support and enlighten the lives of others via various forms of live artistic expression and performance.

For additional information on the Red Carpet Awards, or to arrange coverage, please contact Trish Ostroski at Women in Theatre at (818) 762-7608 or trishostroski@sbcglobal.net.

The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television offers its students a unique blend of scholarship and practical training, bringing together the highest levels of professionalism with the social mission of a public university. Its landmark integration of theater, film, television and digital media, and its outstanding faculty and facilities nurture creative innovation, personal vision and social responsibility. Alumni include such notables as Allison Anders, Charles Burnett, Francis Ford Coppola, Susan Egan, Moctesuma Esparza, Todd Holland, Judy Kaye,Gregory Nava, Alexander Payne, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tim Robbins, Tom Schumacher, Brad Silberling and Audrey Wells.

California's largest university, UCLA enrolls approximately 38,000 students per year and offers degrees from the UCLA College of Letters and Science and 11 professional schools in dozens of varied disciplines. UCLA consistently ranks among the top five universities and colleges nationwide in total research-and-development spending, receiving more than $820 million a year in competitively awarded federal and state grants and contracts. For every $1 state taxpayers invest in UCLA, the university generates almost $9 in economic activity, resulting in an annual $6 billion economic impact on the Greater Los Angeles region.

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