Maxwell, Rogers, Dockery Among 2009 IT Award Nominees

On July 20, 2009, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, the organization dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, celebrated it?s fifth birthday and announced the 2009 nominees at its annual sold-out event at the Carmine Street Recreation Center located at 25 Carmine Street.

Over the past five years, the IT Awards has honored nearly 700 individual artists, over 240 productions, and 150 theatre companies; having collected over 16,000 ballots and disseminated more than 3,200 judges. The 2009 Nominees were selected from an adjudication pool of approximately 2850 artists. Nominees include 142 individual artists, 49 different productions and 38 theatre companies.

Presenting the 2009 honors were a panel of community members who support the artists and the foundation, they include Roman Feeser, Playwright, author and member of the Board of Directors for the IT Awards, Aaron Riccio, Theater Critic and Editor, That Sounds ?Kul, New Theatre Corp, and member of the Honorary Awards Committee, Stephanie Williams, Stage Manager and Chair of the Outstanding Stage Manager Committee, Hillary Cohen, Scholarship Coordinator, Baruch College and Program Development Coordinator for the IT Awards, Desmond Dutcher, Actor and Judge Wrangler for the IT Awards, Ron Bopst, Actors' Company Manager, Emerging Artists Theatre Company and at-large Judge (see 2009 nominees below).

A special award was presented: Jason Bowcutt, Shay Gines and Nick Micozzi, co-executive directors of the New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, presented The Founders Award to Akia, an individual who has made a significant contribution to the New York Innovative Theatre Foundation and the Off-Off-Broadway community. This award is presented only upon special occasion and when it has truly been earned (not an annual award.) There has only been one Founders Award presented in the past, in 2004 to Paul Adams, Artistic Director of Emerging Artists Theatre Company.

"When reflecting on our last 5 years, and recognizing Akia?s extraordinary contribution to our longevity and success, we realized that it was time once again to present this award,? states Ms. Gines. ?It is perhaps the most personal of the awards that we offer, because the 3 of us, the Founders of the IT Awards, decide on it ourselves. Akia?s dedication to Off-Off Broadway and the IT Awards is monumental. Without her, we would be unable to produce these two special events--the nomination party and awards ceremony. She works tirelessly on a regular basis to make sure that everything runs flawlessly. Her energy, dedication and unwavering loyalty is invaluable, we could not do it without her.?

The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation 2009 Nominees!

The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation is celebrating its Fifth Anniversary as a not-for-profit organization, which recognizes the great work of New York's Off-Off-Broadway?honoring its artistic heritage and providing an alliance for this extensive and richly varied community. As advocates for Off-Off-Broadway, they recognize its unique and essential role contributing to global culture.

Each season, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation publicly recognizes excellence in Off-Off-Broadway, with a high-profile awards ceremony. The New York Innovative Theatre Awards celebrate the community and honor some of the previous year?s greatest achievements. The IT Awards heighten audience awareness and foster greater appreciation of the New York theatre experience.

For more information on the New York Innovative Theatre Awards visit, www.nyitawards.com

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.