Actors' Equity Association Accepting Nominations for Rosetta LeNoire Award Through 2/11

Actors' Equity Association's National Equal Employment Opportunity Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Rosetta LeNoire Award.  The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 11, 2011.  Created in 1988 and named in honor of the noted actress and producer Rosetta LeNoire, the award will be presented at the annual Equity Membership Meeting in April.
 
Ms. LeNoire championed the cause of racial equality for more than 70 years and her efforts profoundly influenced the New York theater community. The award bearing her name is given in recognition of outstanding artistic contributions made by either an individual or institution to the "universality of the human experience in American theaters."  Inherent in the award is acknowledgement that the recipient has an exemplary record in the hiring of promotion of ethnic minorities, female actors and actors with disabilities through multi-racial and/or non-traditional casting. 
 
Past recipients of the Rosetta LeNoire Award include: Jacki Taylor and The Chicago Black Ensemble Theater, Bethune Theatredanse, Detroit Repertory Theatre, Mia Katigbak and NAATCO, Woodie King Jr. and New Federal Theatre, and Kitty Lunn and Infinity Dance Theatre.
 
Ms. LeNoire, who was the first recipient of the award, founded the Amas Repertory Theatre Company, an organization dedicated to maintaining an interracial company of actors. Through AMAS, she created an artistic community where members' individual skills were recognized without regard to race, creed, color, religion or national origin. An accomplished actress, Ms. LeNoire appeared in hundreds of shows and touring productions, making her Broadway debut in Mike Todd's 1939 production of HOT MIKADO.  In addition to numerous film credits, including THE SUNSHINE BOYS, Ms. LeNoire appeared on popular television shows including COSBY, GIMME A BREAK and as Estelle Winslow on FAMILY MATTERS.
 
For a Nomination Submission Form go to www.actorsequity.org and click on the Rosetta LeNoire Award link. The Nomination Submission Form must be utilized for all nominations. All nominations must be accompanied by articles or testimonials that will help document how the nominee meets the guidelines for the award, citing background and any pertinent information in as much detail as possible. Please submit all nomination and support materials electronically via e-mail to RosettaLeNoire@actorsequity.org.To obtain a hard copy of the Nomination Submission Form, contact Luther Goins at 312.641.0393 x237 or lgoins@actorsequity.org.