Helen Hayes Stamp to be Released at the Helen Hayes Awards, 4/25

The Helen Hayes Awards is honored to announce that the United States Postal Service commemorative "Forever" stamp, honoring its namesake, First Lady of the American Theatre Helen Hayes, will officially debut at the 2011 Helen Hayes Awards on Monday, April 25, 2011.

The Helen Hayes Awards is partnering with the United States Postal Service for this First Day-of-Issue Ceremony. The stamp will be exclusively debuted - in a manner appropriate to Miss Hayes' theatrical legacy - during the Awards ceremony at the Warner Theatre, and will be presented by USPS Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Joseph Corbett. This unique First Day-of-Issue stamp premiere will take place before an audience of 2000 sponsors, nominees, theatre professionals, audience members and members of the greater Washington community.

"The United States Postal Service is honored to salute the life, career and remarkable legacy of Helen Hayes, the ‘First Lady of the American Theater,' with a commemorative Forever stamp," said Mr. Corbett. "Postage stamps like this one help us to bind this great nation together, and at the same time, celebrate the incredible cultural legacy that is at the heart of the American experience. From this day forward, this wonderful image of Miss Hayes will travel quickly, easily, and affordably on letters and packages throughout the country, and at the same time, will serve as a lasting tribute to a great American actress whose career in theatre, film, television, recording and publishing spanned all ten decades of the twentieth century."

Helen Hayes stamps and cancellation envelopes desired by collectors will be available for sale to the general public from 3-5pm at the JW Marriott from USPS staff, as well as to Awards guests during the evening.

The Helen Hayes Awards is among the area's chief community builders, helping to strengthen our region by building one of its most powerful assets: the professional theatre. One of our country's most prestigious cultural events, The Helen Hayes Awards annually honors excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area. For more information about the Helen Hayes Awards programs and services and tickets to the Awards Gala, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.helenhayes.org" www.helenhayes.org or call 202-337-4572.

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Helen Hayes began her lifelong love affair with theatre at the age of five after seeing her first play at The National Theatre. Her legendary work ethic and standards of excellence earned her the title "First Lady of the American Theatre." Eighty years after her first visit to The National Theatre, she presided over the inaugural presentation of her namesake awards and continued to inspire the Washington artists that followed in her footsteps. The National Theatre is now operated by the non-profit National Theatre Corporation, and managed by The Shubert Organization.

In 1983, Helen Hayes Awards Founder Bonnie Nelson Schwartz recognized that the 14 professional theatres that, at the time made Washington their home, were worthy of great attention and celebration. So when the first Helen Hayes Awards judging cycle began in 1984, the stage was set to cultivate a theatre community that would become the second most prolific theatre town in the country. While the organization takes center stage on one night each year to celebrate Washington area theatre, our work behind the scenes to build audiences, honor excellence, and educate youth continues for 365 nights - and days.