Georgia’s Synetic Theatre gains 23 nominations for top US award

Georgian-founded, US-based movement and arts performance group Synetic Theater has gained dozens of nominations for prestigious theatre awards that recognise excellence in professional theatre in America.

Georgian silent theatre received 23 nominations in 47 categories of the Helen Hayes Awards, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious theatre awards in the Washington, D.C. area. This year more than 90 professional areas are vying for an award. 

Nominations of the Helen Hayes Awards 2015 were announced at the National Theatre on January 26. The awards were established in 1985 in Washington to recognise excellence in professional theatre.

The Synetic Theatre gained 11 nominations for its wordless piece of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Synetic Theatre was founded in 2001 by Georgian couple Paata Tsikurishvili and his wife Irina. It has a predominantly Georgian cast. The shows offered contemporary theatre combined with traditions of the Caucusus with distinctly American styles to tell classic stories through movement, music, technology and visual arts.

In January 2014 the Tsikurishvili couple were named Washingtonians of the Year for their services to theatre in the Washington state. The couple have also been nominated for the top theatre awards, which are equivalent to the Oscars awards for film.

I. Tsikurishvili has been nominated for awards for Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Choreography in the play Twelfth Night. Meanwhile her husband, P. Tsikurishvili, has been nominated for Outstanding Director of a Play.

Other Georgian artists Irina Kavsadze and Irakli Kavsadze were also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor awards in a Play.

Longtime theatre Washington Board Chairman Victor Shargai said the Synetic Theatre was unique for the United States.

The Synetic Theatre is a theatre with the elements of cinema. Founders Paata and Irina presented us with a unique interpretation of cinema and theatre. I would like to note that Paata and Irina made outstanding contributions for the Washington art scene," Shargai said.

Synetic Theatre has already earned 92 Helen Hayes nominations and received 24 Helen Hayes Awards, garnering acclaim for its Silent Shakespeare repertoire and its text-and movement-based classical pieces.

It is estimated Synetic Theatre reaches more than 36,000 patrons annually through its productions, educational studios and community projects.

The Helen Hayes Awards ceremony is administered by Theatre Washington will be held on April 6, 2015.