The Pioneer of the Arts Awards
THE PIONEER OF THE ARTS AWARDS are presented to outstanding artists in Theatre, Film, Music, Television & Entertainment.
The past recipients are:
ELLYN LONG MARSHALL & MARIA E. NELSON, Casting Directors & Founder of Orpheus Group Casting: Girlfight (2000), Real Women Have Curves (2002), Maria Full of Grace (2004), and Amreeka (2009), (Pioneer of the Arts Award July 2013).
SAM POLLARD, Filmmaker & Editor (WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE: A Requiem in Four Acts (Primetime Emmy), SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME, FOUR LITTLE GIRS (Oscar Nominated), (Pioneer of the Arts Award February 2013).
DAVE DAVIDSON, Filmmaker (A PLACE OUT OF TIME - The Bordentown School, a documentary and CISSY HOUSTON - SWEET INSPIRATION), (Pioneer of the Arts Award February 2013).
ALDO SCROFANI, Broadway Producer (DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, CHITA RIVERA: The Dancer's Life and Lovemusik), (Pioneer of the Arts Award July 2011).
GERALYN LUCAS, Screenwriter (Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy - Lifetime), (Pioneer of the Arts Award July 2011).
JEWEL KINCH-THOMAS, Executive & Artistic Director (The Riverside Theatre), (Pioneer of the Arts Award July 2011).
The recipients for the Summer 2010 were:
HOPE CLARKE, Stage Director, Choreographer and Actress, 1992 Tony Nominee for the Broadway hit JELLY’S LAST JAM; and
KENNETH L. ROBERSON, Director/Choreographer, Tony Nominee for the Broadway hit AVENUE Q, and choreographer for the upcoming Broadway show UNCHAIN MY HEART, The Ray Charles Musical; and
MARCIA PENDELTON, Founder & President, Walk Tall Girl Productions, Audience Development & Group Sales for Broadway’s FENCES and FELA.
The recipients of the Summer 2009 were:
LUCIA KAISER, CEO of Kaiser International, Inc. (Theatre & Movie Producer) - (Pioneer of the Arts Award June 2009)
GEORGE FAISON, Cheorgrapher - TONY Award Winner for THE WIZ and Emmy Award Winner for THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY (Pioneer of the Arts Award June 2009)
VY HIGGINSEN, Pioneer, Producer & Publisher - Radio Personality on WBLS & WWRL, Producer of Joe Turner's Come and Gone on Broadway, and writer, producer, director of the longest-running, Off-Broadway musical in the history of American theatre with MAMA, I WANT TO SING. (Pioneer of the Arts Award June 2009)