Eichelberger was the trail-blazing New York performance artist who died in 1990 at the age of 55. An Obie-winner, Eichelberger trained with Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company and later worked on his own, writing nearly 40 plays portraying women such Jocasta, Medea, Nefertiti, Clytemnestra, and Lucrezia Borgia.

The honor is a commissioning award given "to an artist or group that exemplifies Ethyl's larger-than-life style and generosity of spirit; who embodies Ethyl's multi-talented artistic virtuosity, bridging worlds and inspiring those around them."

  Mac is author and performer of the solo-shows, The Face of Liberalism, Okay, and Cardiac Arrest or Venus on a Half-Clam. He has performed at PS 122, Joe's Pub, FEZ, CBGB's, and the San Francisco Opera House. He is currently acting in Jabu at The Flea. His current show The Young Ladies Of will be presented as a work-in-progress at P.S. 122 June 2-4.

Mac will get a show in the upcoming season at Performance Space 122 as well as a stipend for its creation.

Finalists for the Ethyl Eichelberger Award were Theater Askew, Bradford Louryk, Julie Atlas Muz, Radiohole, Lavinia Co-op, David Neumann, John Collins and Mac.