US-based Georgian theatre artists nominated for Helen Hayes Awards
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United States-based Georgian choreographers Irina and Vato Tsikurishvili have been announced among the nominees of the Helen Hayes Awards, one of the principal theatre prizes in the US.
Revealed on Monday, the shortlist for the 2018 awards features stage artists picked for 47 categories recognising theatre work from choreography to acting and production.
The two Georgian-born choreographers were selected in the Outstanding Choreography in a Play — Helen category for their staging The Adventures of Peter Pan.
Staged for the Washington-based Synetic Theatre, the work has seen the two creatives nominated for the award along with their counterparts from three other venues in the Washington D.C. area.
The show, praised by the DC Metro Theatre Arts review for its "gorgeous choreography”, is a production created for young audience and featuring actors Alex Mills, Ryan Sellers and Ana Tsikurishvili in principal roles.
The winners of the Helen Hayes Awards will be announced in May at a gala event celebrating "excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area”.
Congratulations to Irina and Vato Tsikurishvili on their Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Choreography in a Play for 'The Adventures of Peter Pan'! pic.twitter.com/JHYxKZAkuB
— Synetic Theater (@SyneticTheater) February 6, 2018
Established in 1983, the awards are named after celebrated late American actor Helen Hayes, a recipient of the Emmy, Grammy and Oscar awards, along other honours.
The Synetic Theatre was founded in 2001 by Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, two artists who moved to the US from Georgia in the 1990s.
The company’s repertoire features productions on a variety of works, but has been particularly noted for stagings on Shakespeare plays.
Their show of Hamlet was recognised in 2003 with three Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Director and Outstanding Resident Play.
Founders Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili were also awarded the title of Washingtonians of the Year in 2014 by magazine Broadway World.
The publication said the two were recognised with the award for "being local heroes in their commitment to making the Washington DC community a better place through boundary-pushing theatre”.