It’s time for the announcement of the 2015 44th Annual Audelco Awards nominees. Audelco (Audience Development Committee, Inc.) was established and incorporated in 1973 by the late Vivian Robinson, to stimulate interest in, and support of, performing arts in Black communities. Vivian Robinson was patron of the arts for many years and had a passion for reporting on Black Theatre.
Miss Robinson was born in Portsmouth, Va. While working in the advertising department of “The Amsterdam News,” she noticed that many small theater companies were not being covered and volunteered to review their productions for the newspaper. In 1973, she created Audelco ”to generate recognition, understanding and awareness of the arts in black communities and to build new audiences for nonprofit theaters and dance companies.”
Nominees were announced at a ceremony in Harlem, New York on October 15th. Nominees are a result of the consensus of the Audelco Nominating Committee. These committee members are members in good standing who have contributed $50.00 or more to Friends of Audelco.
We must never forget to honor and support organizations such as Audelco, as they put their passion for theatre and the arts into action. Without organizations like this, much of Black Theatre would go unrecognized. Our talent often goes ignored or is grossly undervalued in the world of mainstream award shows. The passion and commitment to honoring Black Theatre is underscored on the Audelco website:
The Committee reaffirms its commitment to recognizing excellence in Black theatre within the five boroughs in the New York metropolitan area. The Committee shall make every effort to see all productions produced primarily by, but not limited to, Black theatre companies, as well as productions showcasing the talents of the performers of color. To that end, due consideration shall be given to all artists regardless of ethnicity.
And now here are some of this years nominees:
Best Revival
Aint Misbehavin’ Irving Street Rep/Faison Firehouse Theater
Brothers from the Bottom Billie Holiday Theatre
Dutchman New Federal Theatre
Fences The Morningside Players
The Glass Menagarie Masterworks Theatre
The Tempest Classical Theatre of Harlem
Playwright
Katori Hall Our Lady of Kibeho Signature Theatre
Kimber Lee Brownsville Song (B-side for Tray) Lincoln Center Theatre 3
Suzan-Lori Parks Father Comes Home from the Wars, Parts 1,2 &3 The Public Theater
Billy Porter While I Yet Live Primary Stages
Nikkole Salter Carnaval National Black Theatre
Musical Production of the Year
A Band of Angels New York City Children’s Theater
Flambeaux Obsidian Media Group/Braata Prods.
For the Last Time Clement Arts/Epic Theatre Ensemble
Texas in Paris York Theatre Company
The Fortress of Solitude The Public Theater
Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical AnthonyKen, LLC/Sheryl L. Ralph
These are just a few of the nominees and categories. For the entire group of nominees scroll down. The awards ceremony will take place Monday, November 16th at the Peter Norton Symphonyspace in New York City. We salute all of the nominees and wish you best of luck during the awards!
