New Delhi, March 5 (IANS): The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) and Festival 2020 on Thursday announced that the META 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred on renowned director, actor, set designer, writer, teacher and Theater Action Group's Founder Director, Barry John.

A pioneer in the establishment of drama and theatre studies for different schools, he was also Founder-Director of the NSD's Theatre in Education Company and drafted the CBSE curriculum for theatre.

The jury for the 15th edition of the awards was announced and comprises renowned playwright and filmmaker Mahesh Dattani, playwright and novelist Makarand Sathe, media expert Shailja Kejriwal, actress Sushma Seth, actor and and theatre director Saurabh Shukla, actor-writer Vinay Pathak and theatre director Lillete Dubey.

Barry John said, "Having hung up my boots (forgive the football analogy) some years ago, it comes as a surprise to be remembered and awarded, especially to be counted among the distinguished list of past awardees. It is indeed an honour."

Jay Shah, Vice President, Head, Cultural Outreach at the Mahindra Group, said, "This is indeed a landmark year for the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards and as we look forward to the 15th edition, we're also delighted to be giving away the 10th Lifetime Achievement Award to a theatre legend, Barry John.

"His contribution to stagecraft, especially his focus on introducing theatre into the school education system, the use of drama therapy and his role in shaping the theatre and performance industry have been invaluable."