March 3, 2005—Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson, Maya Lin, Gore Vidal, Minnie Driver, Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, Dan Rather, Agnes Gund, Frank Rich, Diane von Furstenberg, and Sam Waterston will read their favorite poems by some of America's best-loved poets on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. as part of Poetry & The Creative Mind, the third annual benefit for the Academy of American Poets. Poetry & The Creative Mind will be held at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City. Meryl Streep will return as the Honorary Benefit Chair, along with Co-Chairs Rose Styron, an Academy Board member; and Jorie Graham, a former Academy Chancellor and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. "Poetry & The Creative Mind has become one of the most anticipated literary events in New York City," said Tree Swenson, the Academy's executive director. Swenson added, "This event also resonates with lovers of film, theatre, art, music, and dance."
Poetry & The Creative Mind also kicks off the 10th annual National Poetry Month (April), which was established by the Academy in 1996 and is now the largest literary celebration in the world. The Empire State Building will be lit blue and white on April 5 in recognition of Poetry & The Creative Mind.
Among the readers at the Academy's past benefits are Wynton Marsalis, Kevin Kline, Diane Sawyer, Jessye Norman, Mark Morris, Natalie Portman, Laurie Anderson, Caroline Kennedy, Mary-Louise Parker, Vanessa Redgrave, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and Brice Marden.
To purchase tickets to Poetry & The Creative Mind, call 212-721-6500 or visit or the Alice Tully Hall box office at Broadway and 65th Street. Tickets to the performance are $35-$75. A limited number of VIP tickets (including the performance followed by a cocktail buffet supper with the special guest readers) are available starting at $400. Please contact Beth Harrison at [email protected] or (212) 274-0343 ext. 34 for more information about VIP tickets.
The Academy of American Poets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1934 to foster appreciation for contemporary poetry and to support American poets at all stages of their careers.