Wilson, ART/NY & Rising Phoenix Rep Receive IT Awards 9/24

The New York Innovative Theatre Awards (IT Awards), the organization dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, announce the 2007 Honorary Award Recipients. Hosted by Julie Halston, the ceremony takes place Monday, September 24 at 7pm at FIT's Haft Auditorium (Building C of FIT's campus on 27th Street, between 7th and 8th Aves). Tickets for the ceremony are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and available at www.nyitawards.com

"The IT Awards are given annually to honor individuals and organizations who have achieved artistic excellence in Off-Off-Broadway theatre. The New York IT Awards recognizes the unique and essential role Off-Off-Broadway plays in contributing to American and global culture, and believes that publicly recognizing excellence in Off-Off-Broadway theatre will expand audience awareness and appreciation of the full New York theatre experience," state press notes.

In addition to the production awards, 3 honorary awards are presented to outstanding individuals and organizations, according to the press announcement, they include:

The 2007 Artistic Achievement Award is presented to Doric Wilson. Wilson is a playwright, director, producer, critic, and gay political activist. He wrote his first play for his English Lit class at Kennewick High School, but was accused of plagiarism when his teacher informed him that no student of hers would ever be able to write a play. Wilson moved to NYC in 1959 where he became one of the first resident playwrights at NYC's legendary Caffe Cino, his comedy And He Made A Her, opening there in 1961. His Now She Dances!, a fantasia on the trial of Oscar Wilde, was the first Off-Off-Broadway play to deal positively with gay people (1961). He was one of the first playwrights invited to join the Barr/Wilder/Albee Playwright's Unit and later became a founding member of Circle Repertory Theater and TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence) Theatre Company and the more recently formed TOSOS II.

The 2007 Stewardship Award is presented to A.R.T./New York. A.R.T./New York is the support organization for over 375 of New York City's not-for-profit theatres.  Each year they award over $350,000 in cash grants to theatres throughout the City, provide more than 200 technical assistance workshops, roundtables and consultations and make more than $500,000 in cash flow and real estate loans.  They also provide low-cost office space to 45 companies in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The 2007 Caffe Cino Fellowship Award is presented to an Off-Off-Broadway theatre company that consistently produces outstanding work. This award also includes a fellowship to be used toward an Off-Off-Broadway production, the Rising Phoenix Repertory. The Rising Phoenix Repertory was founded in 1999 by Artistic Director, Daniel Talbott.  By learning from the traditions of the past and the teachings of the present, Rising Phoenix endeavors to rediscover the craft of a raw and vital living theatre.  Rising Phoenix Rep produces an ongoing reading series of new plays, workshops and festivals.  Festivals include Summer Lovin', seven new short plays by members of the MCC Playwrights' Coalition; Detour Days, a week of works-in-progress; The Brooklyn Plays, nine short plays on the theme of one borough; and ClipLight, eight days of workshops, panel discussions, readings and classes.  Recent productions include What Happened When at HERE Arts Center, Fall Forward in the Sitelines festival produced by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The Telling Trilogy, Rules of the Universe, and Three Sisters. Rising Phoenix Rep serves as a home base for a company of theatre professionals that encourages an open exchange of work and ideas within the greater theatre community.

For more information visit www.nyitawards.com