HARLEM — An award-winning Broadway choreographer and producer is to be honored for his contributions to the arts in Harlem.
George Faison, who founded the Faison Firehouse Theater in West Harlem, will be honored by Sound Business, Inc., a Harlem-based nonprofit that provides education assistance and arts programs to youth.
Faison will be celebrated at its first annual gala and fundraiser on May 19 at the legendary Harlem Stage.
“George Faison has had an incredible 30-year career as a famed dancer and celebrated Broadway choreographer,” said Charles Thompson, SBI’s executive director.
“He could have simply stopped there. Instead, he renovated an abandoned firehouse in Harlem and made it his mission to create an incubator for black and brown students to experience theater and dance in a master class setting.”
Faison became the first African American to win a Tony for his work choreographing The Wiz. He also won an Emmy in 1991 for choreography of the HBO film The Josephine Baker Story.
"It is always gratifying to be appreciated and honored for your achievements," Faison said.
"But for me, the compassion to help, to be able to inspire others to achieve and to be of service to my community is not just an honor but my duty."
The gala will be held at 6 p.m. May 19 at Harlem Stage, 150 Convent Avenue. Tickets cost $100 per person and $500 for a table for six.
