HYDE PARK — The best African American artists of the year will be plucked from the crowd to be honored on Oct. 27 at the DuSable Museum of African American History.
The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago will present the Black Excellence Awards at 6:30 p.m. the museum, 740 E. 56th Place.
Joel Hall, who founded Joel Hall Dance Center in Edgewater in 1974, will be honored with the lifetime achievement award.
Nominees for the 14th annual awards include:
LITERATURE
Non-Fiction
“The Veil of Victory,” Yorli Huff
“A Change is Gonna Come,” Jeremy Allen Phelps
“High Rise Stories,” Audrey Petty
Fiction
“The Perfect Family,” Delena Lewis
“More Boy Than Girl,” Tony Lindsay
“The Best of Everything,” Kimberla Lawson Roby
THEATER
Production
“It's All-Right to have A Good Time The Story of Curtis Mayfield,” Black Ensemble Theater
“Chicago's Golden Soul,” Black Ensemble Theater
“Out Loud,” Eta Creative Arts Foundation
“Quark,” MPAACT
“King Hedley II,” Congo Square Theatre
Director
Jackie Taylor, writer, director, producer of “It's All-Right to have A Good Time The Story of Curtis Mayfield,” Black Ensemble Theater
Daniel Bryant, director of “King Hedley II,” Congo Square Theatre
Daryl D. Brooks, co-director of “It's All-Right to have A Good Time The Story of Curtis Mayfield,” Black Ensemble Theater
Jackie Taylor, writer, director, producer of “Chicago's Golden Soul,” Black Ensemble Theater
Olivia Dawson, director of “Out Loud,” eta Creative Arts Foundation
Chuck Smith, director of “Quark” MPAACT
Actor
Reginald E. Torian Sr., “It's All-Right to have A Good Time The Story of Curtis Mayfield,” Black Ensemble Theater
Anthony Irons, “King Hedley II,” Congo Square Theatre
Ronald Conner, “King Hedley II,” Congo Square Theatre
Watson Swift, “Out Loud,” eta Creative Arts Foundation
Quinton Guyton, “Quark,” MPAACT
Donald C. Manuel, “Once Upon a People,” Black Ensemble Theater
Actress
Perri Gaffney, “The Resurrection of Alice,” eta Creative Arts Foundation
TaRon Patton, “King Hedley II,” Congo Square Theatre
Alexis J. Rogers, “Once Upon a People,” Black Ensemble Theater
Kelly Owens, “Quark,” MPAACT
Melanie Loren, “Out Loud,” eta Creative Arts Foundation
Technical Support
Ann N. Davis, set design for “It's All-Right to have A Good Time The Story of Curtis Mayfield, Black Ensemble Theater
Evelyn Danner, costumes for "Chicago's Golden Soul,” Black Ensemble Theater
Casey Diers lighting for “Quark,” MPAACT
Andrei Onegin set design for “King Hedley II,” Congo Square Theatre
Special Recognition
E. Faye Butler, “Pullman Porter Blues,” The Goodman Theatre
Trisha Jeffrey, “The Color Purple,” The Mercury Theatre
Lisa Beasley, “Mountain Top,” Court Theatre
Greta Oglesby, “A Raisin in the Sun,” Timeline Theatre Company
Cheryl Lynn Bruce, “The Gospel of Lovingkindness,” Victory Gardens Theater
DANCE
Outstanding Achievement in Dance-Overall Performance
Red Clay Dance Company
Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
Najwa Dance Corp
Tinni Feet Cultural Arts Company
Praize Productions, Inc.
Outstanding Achievement Dance-Choreography
Najwa Dance Corp, Najwa One
Praize Productions Inc., Ressie Davis
Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, Amaniye Payne, artistic director
Special Recognition
RH School of Performing Arts Presents: “Legends a Journey through the Music of America's Legendary Artists: Tribute to Michael Jackson”
VISUAL ARTS
Artist
Raymond A. Thomas
Roger J. Carter
Dr. Yemonja Smalls
Special Recognition
Sketch N' Tyme
MUSIC
Gospel
Lemmie Battles
Ramon Perry
Sweet Holy Spirit Church-Pastor Larry Trotter
Rhythm and Blues
Time Morris featuring Lady D and the Times Darlene Fullerton
Marzette Griffith
Sandy Redd
Jazz
Xavier Breaker Coalition
Samuel Williams Jazz Violinist
Stephanie Higgins Garrett
FILM
Best Picture
“The 4th Meeting,” Josh MacNeal
“Finding Forever in Love,” Deri Tyton
“Cass,” Hugh Schulze
Actor or Actress
Tyrell Crawford, “Finding Forever in Love”
Malynda Hale, “The 4th Meeting”
Dan-Neika Clay, “Finding Forever in Love”
Rachel Hilson, “Cass”
Shorts
“Condoms,” Derek Dow
“Parietal Guidance,” Lonnie Edwards
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