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Gotham-based legit troupe Epic Theater Ensemble's Shakespeare Remix program is a recipient of a 2009 Coming Up Taller Award, the national honor for after-school and out-of-school arts programs.

In the Shakespeare Remix program, students at four public high schools in three New York City boroughs analyze Shakespeare texts and look for contempo resonances; the process culminates in the students performing in fully produced Off Broadway stagings with professional legiters.

Coming Up Taller is an initiative from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (co-chaired by Rialto producer Margo Lion), along with other orgs including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Award comes with a $10,000 prize for each recipient.

Epic founders Zak Berkman, Melissa Friedman and Ron Russell received the award at the White House with student Remix participant Shana Brown. Michelle Obama hosted the ceremony.