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Robert Wilson

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BIO

Born in Waco, Texas, Wilson is among the world's foremost theater and visual artists. His works for the stage unconventionally integrate a wide variety of artistic media, including dance, movement, lighting, sculpture, music, and text. His images are aesthetically striking and emotionally charged, and his productions have earned the acclaim of audiences and critics worldwide. After being educated at the University of Texas and Brooklyn's Pratt Institute, Wilson founded the New York-based performance collective "The Byrd Hoffman School of Byrds" in the mid?1960s, and developed his first signature works, including Deafman Glance (1970) and A Letter for Queen Victoria (1974-75). With Philip Glass he wrote the seminal opera Einstein on the Beach (1976). Wilson's artistic collaborators include many writers and musicians, such as Heiner Müller, Tom Waits, Susan Sontag, Laurie Anderson, William Burroughs, Lou Reed, and Jessye Norman. He has also left his imprint on masterworks such as Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape, Brecht/Weill's Threepenny Opera, Debussy's Pelléas et Melisande, Goethe's Faust, Homer's Odyssey, Jean de la Fontaine's Fables, Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and Verdi's La Traviata. Wilson's drawings, paintings, and sculptures have been presented around the world in hundreds of solo and group showings, and his works are held in private collections and museums throughout the world. Wilson has been honored with numerous awards for excellence, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination, two Premio Ubu awards, the Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale, and an Olivier Award. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, as well as the German Academy of the Arts, and holds eight Honorary Doctorate degrees. France pronounced him Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (2003) and Officer of the Legion of Honor (2014); and Germany awarded him the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit (2014). Wilson is the founder and Artistic Director of The Watermill Center, a laboratory for the arts in Water Mill, New York.


Photos

Awards and Nominations


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1987 - Noteworthy/Unusual Effects

Robert WilsonThe Civil Wars - Act 5, The Trees


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1975 - Scenic Design

Robert Wilson, A Letter For Queen Victoria


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Director

Robert WilsonDeafman Glance

Videos

News


MARY SAID WHAT SHE SAID North American Premiere Starring Isabelle Huppert to Begin in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2025

NYU Skirball will present Award-winning actress Isabelle Huppert in a tour de force performance of Mary Said What She Said at NYU Skirball. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
REDCAT Presents To The Fullest: The Music Of Julius Eastman And Arthur Russell
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 25, 2025

From March 4 through May 3, 2025, Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), LA Phil Insight and Wild Up, collaborate on a festival that uplifts the legacies of Julius Eastman and Arthur Russell — legendary collaborators whose music is expansive, quintessentially queer, in which every moment is full of choice.
Feature: 14 of the Best Cabaret Shows to See in 2025
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 24, 2024

Let's toast the New Year by looking ahead to some of the most anticipated shows of the next 6 months. We put together 14 shows we're looking forward to seeing next year, that are likely to sell out well in advance.
EGC Productions Inc. And Legato Arts Present JOURNEY OF FAITH: A Musical Tribute To Mother Teresa
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 24, 2024

ECG Productions Inc. and Legato Arts will present Journey of Faith: A Musical Tribute to Mother Teresa on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 8pm at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.
Roundabout Theatre Will Celebrate John Kander at Benefit Hosted By Alan Cumming
by Stephi Wild - Dec 20, 2024

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced a special one-night event Ring Them Bells: A Birthday Celebration for John Kander, hosted by Alan Cumming. Learn more here!
LA BOHEME, THE NUTRCRACKER and More Holiday Programming Now Streaming On Carnegie Hall+
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 17, 2024

Carnegie Hall+—Carnegie Hall's video streaming channel—invites music lovers to celebrate the holiday season with a curated selection of operas, ballets, concerts, and films, perfect for viewing at this festive time of year.
English National Opera Launches Plans For A New Partnership With Greater Manchester
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 21, 2024

English National Opera has announced the first wave of plans for a major new partnership between the company and the city-region of Greater Manchester for the next three years, enabling ENO to be firmly established within Greater Manchester by 2029.
Ars Nova Reveals 2024-2025 Residencies & More Fall 2024 Programming
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2024

Ars Nova has revealed its artists for the 2024-2025 season. Ars Nova has also revealed additional programming in its original home at 511 W 54th Street and on its digital platform, Ars Nova Supra. Learn more!
Isabelle Huppert & More to be Featured in NYU Skirball Winter/Spring 2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2024

NYU Skirball’s Winter/Spring 2025 season will feature Robert Wilson, Isabelle Huppert, Florentina Holzinger, and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
Gibney and The Simons Foundation Reveal Open Interval Residency 2024-2025 Awardees
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 11, 2024

Gibney and the Simons Foundation have revealed the 2024-2025 Open Interval Residency cohort. This marks the third year of a partnership that began in 2022. Learn more about the awardees.
Cultural Ambassador Ronald Rand to Bring Harold Clurman In LET IT BE ART! To Athens
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2024

Ronald Rand will perform his acclaimed solo play LET IT BE ART! as Harold Clurman in Athens during the Global Arts Education Summit, marking nearly 25 years of world tours. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
WHERE WE MEET To Play Limited Run At The Cell
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 23, 2024

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre announced the limited run of WHERE WE MEET, a solo musical by Kate Eberstadt, exploring quantum physics and human experience through music, from September 27-29, 2024.
Beverly Emmons Will Receive Ming Cho Lee Award
by Stephi Wild - Sep 18, 2024

Lighting designer Beverly Emmons will be honored with the Ming Cho Lee Award for Lifetime Achievement in Design bestowed by the Henry Hewes Design Awards at the 60th annual ceremony on October 21.
LEIMAY'S A MEAL to be Presented at HERE in September
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 9, 2024

Experience LEIMAY’S A MEAL at HERE from Sept 11-29. Learn more about the event and see how to purchase tickets.
Spaghetti Eastern Releasing Soundtrack EP For DRONE GIRL Film
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 7, 2024

Spaghetti Eastern Music, led by Sal Cataldi, will release a new EP featuring the soundtrack for Charles Dennis's short film Drone Girl, created in collaboration with musicians Jeff Keithline and Mark Peritz.
Cast and Creative Team Announced for Britton and The Sting's MAMA At Little Island NYC
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2024

Britton & The Sting's new show MAMA will debut at Little Island. The cast and creative team have been announced, promising an exciting production.
Martha Graham Dance Company Announces Second Season Of GRAHAM100
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2024

Martha Graham Dance Company reveals its 2024-2025 season, featuring the second year of GRAHAM100, celebrating the legacy and innovative works of Martha Graham.
Photos: Go Inside Bay Street Theater's 32nd Annual Benefit Gala MAYBE THEY'RE MAGIC...!
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 14, 2024

On Saturday, July 6, Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts hosted their annual EPIC full-blown gala extravaganza with special twists and exciting surprises, honoring show stopper Neil Patrick Harris, star of stage and screen (+food!) David Burtka, and East End community treasure Dr. Georgette Grier-Key. See photos here!
Photos: Inside The Bay Street Gala: 2024, Hosted by Marc Kudisch!
by James Blinken - Jul 12, 2024

The 32nd Annual Bay Street Theater Summer Gala was a night to remember. See photos.
Willem Dafoe Named Artistic Director of the Theatre Department of La Biennale di Venezia
by Stephi Wild - Jul 8, 2024

Willem Dafoe has been named the new Artistic Director of the Theatre Department of La Biennale di Venezia for the two-year term 2025-2026.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Robert Wilson been nominated for?

Noteworthy/Unusual Effects (The Hewes Awards) for The Civil Wars - Act 5, The Trees, Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for A Letter For Queen Victoria and Outstanding Director (Drama Desk Awards) for Deafman Glance.

What awards has Robert Wilson won?

Robert Wilson has won several notable awards, including the Noteworthy/Unusual Effects at The Hewes Awards for The Civil Wars - Act 5, The Trees. He also received the Scenic Design award at The Hewes Awards for A Letter For Queen Victoria. Additionally, Wilson was honored with the Outstanding Director award at the Drama Desk Awards for Deafman Glance.

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