By Isseu Diouf-Campbell
AUDELCO (Audience Development Committee, Inc.) hosted its 41st Annual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Awards honoring the crème de la crème of black film and theatre on September 25, 2013 at Symphony space in Manhattan.
The piano lesson, a family drama written by August Wilson and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson was the big winner of the evening with 8 awards.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and Forces of Nature were tied for first place in the new category: Outstanding Dance Company of the year.
The complete list of honorees include:
* Rui Rita – “The Piano Lesson” – Best Lighting Design
* Michael Carnahan- “The Piano Lesson” – Best Set Design
* Karen Perry – “The Piano Lesson” – Best Costume Design
*David D. Wright – “The Importance of Being Earnest” – Best Sound Design
*Ruben Santiago-Hudson– “The Piano Lesson”- Best Director/Dramatic Production
*Keith Lee Grant – “Dreamgirls” – Best Director/Musical Production
*Mercedes Ellington – “Storyville” – Best Choreographer
*Colman Domingo – “Wild with Happy” – Best Playwright
*Chuck Cooper– “The Piano Lesson” – Best Supporting Actor
*Sharon Washington – “Wild with Happy” – Best Supporting Actress
*Dion Millington– “Dreamgirls” – Outstanding Performance in a Musical-Female
*Michael Leonard James – “Storyville” – Outstanding Performance in a Musical-Male
*Ryan Touhey– “Dreamgirls” – Outstanding Musical Director
*“Dreamgirls” – Harlem Repertory Theatre- Musical Production of the Year
*“Choir Boy” – Manhattan Theatre Club- Outstanding Ensemble Performance
*Jeannette Bayardelle – “Shida” – Best Solo Performance
*Brandon J. Dirden– “The Piano Lesson”- Best Lead Actor
*Roslyn Ruff– “The Piano Lesson” – Best Lead Actress
*”The Piano Lesson” – Signature Theatre Company- Best Revival
*“Wild with Happy” – The Public Theater – Dramatic Production of the Year
* Alvin Ailey American Dance Center – Outstanding Dance Company of the year (Tie)
* Forces of Nature – Outstanding Dance Company of the year (Tie)
Interview with Grace L. Jones – President of AUDELCO
Photos of the 40th Annual AUDELCO Awards