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Robert Wilson

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BIO

Born in Waco, Texas, Wilson is among the world's foremost theater and visual artists. His works for the stage unconventionally integrate a wide variety of artistic media, including dance, movement, lighting, sculpture, music, and text. His images are aesthetically striking and emotionally charged, and his productions have earned the acclaim of audiences and critics worldwide. After being educated at the University of Texas and Brooklyn's Pratt Institute, Wilson founded the New York-based performance collective "The Byrd Hoffman School of Byrds" in the mid?1960s, and developed his first signature works, including Deafman Glance (1970) and A Letter for Queen Victoria (1974-75). With Philip Glass he wrote the seminal opera Einstein on the Beach (1976). Wilson's artistic collaborators include many writers and musicians, such as Heiner Müller, Tom Waits, Susan Sontag, Laurie Anderson, William Burroughs, Lou Reed, and Jessye Norman. He has also left his imprint on masterworks such as Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape, Brecht/Weill's Threepenny Opera, Debussy's Pelléas et Melisande, Goethe's Faust, Homer's Odyssey, Jean de la Fontaine's Fables, Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and Verdi's La Traviata. Wilson's drawings, paintings, and sculptures have been presented around the world in hundreds of solo and group showings, and his works are held in private collections and museums throughout the world. Wilson has been honored with numerous awards for excellence, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination, two Premio Ubu awards, the Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale, and an Olivier Award. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, as well as the German Academy of the Arts, and holds eight Honorary Doctorate degrees. France pronounced him Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (2003) and Officer of the Legion of Honor (2014); and Germany awarded him the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit (2014). Wilson is the founder and Artistic Director of The Watermill Center, a laboratory for the arts in Water Mill, New York.


Photos

Awards and Nominations


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1987 - Noteworthy/Unusual Effects

Robert WilsonThe Civil Wars - Act 5, The Trees


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1975 - Scenic Design

Robert Wilson, A Letter For Queen Victoria


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Director

Robert WilsonDeafman Glance

Videos

News


Review: ITCH, Opera Holland Park
by Franco Milazzo - Jun 4, 2025

Opera Holland Park has never shied away from audacious programming, and with Jonathan Dove’s Itch, it plunges boldly into radioactive territory—literally. Originally seen here in 2023 and based on Simon Mayo’s YA novel about a teenage element hunter who stumbles upon a potentially world-altering discovery, this opera bubbles with energy, invention and musical firepower.
REDCAT, LA Phil Insight And Wild Up Present Arthur Russell's 24 TO 24 MUSIC In May
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 11, 2025

From May 1 - 3, 2025, Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), LA Phil Insight and GRAMMY-nominated orchestral collective Wild Up present Arthur Russell's minimalist disco masterwork 24 to 24 Music as part of the To the Fullest festival. 
US Cultural Ambassador Ronald Rand Celebrates 25 Years Starring In LET IT BE ART! On Tour In Asheville
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 26, 2025

US Cultural Ambassador Ronald Rand celebrating his 25th year starring as Harold Clurman, the 'Elder Statesman of the American Theatre' touring around the world in his celebrated solo play, LET IT BE ART! will perform in Asheville, North Carolina at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts on April 25th.
PORGY AND BESS, MESSIAH and More Set For Houston Grand Opera 2025-26 Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 20, 2025

Throughout the 2025-26 season, HGO will be celebrating its beloved artistic and music director, Patrick Summers, who in May 2026 will transition to a new role. Learn more here!
PORGY AND BESS & More Set for Houston Grand Opera 2025-26 Season
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 19, 2025

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has announced its 2025-26 season, featuring the American opera that launched HGO as a trailblazer, the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.
Leading Greek Performance Artist Euripides Laskaridis Bring RELIC To The Coronet Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 6, 2025

Euripides Laskaridis and OSMOSIS present Euripides Laskaridis in RELIC, running Wednesday 2 - Saturday 5 April.
Martha Graham Dance Center To Establish New Home In Midtown Manhattan
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 15, 2025

]The Martha Graham Dance Center has announced that it will relocate the dance organization's headquarters to 1501 Broadway in January 2026, securing a new and expanded home in Times Square for the renowned Martha Graham Dance Company as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
CocoRosie Release 'Yesterday' Track From Upcoming Album 'Little Death Wishes'
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 12, 2025

CocoRosie, the sister duo of Bianca and Sierra Casady have shared the third track, “Yesterday,” from their upcoming eighth studio album Little Death Wishes. Listen to the track now.
MARY SAID WHAT SHE SAID North American Premiere Starring Isabelle Huppert to Begin in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2025

NYU Skirball will present Award-winning actress Isabelle Huppert in a tour de force performance of Mary Said What She Said at NYU Skirball. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
REDCAT Presents To The Fullest: The Music Of Julius Eastman And Arthur Russell
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 25, 2025

From March 4 through May 3, 2025, Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), LA Phil Insight and Wild Up, collaborate on a festival that uplifts the legacies of Julius Eastman and Arthur Russell — legendary collaborators whose music is expansive, quintessentially queer, in which every moment is full of choice.
Feature: 14 of the Best Cabaret Shows to See in 2025
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 24, 2024

Let's toast the New Year by looking ahead to some of the most anticipated shows of the next 6 months. We put together 14 shows we're looking forward to seeing next year, that are likely to sell out well in advance.
EGC Productions Inc. And Legato Arts Present JOURNEY OF FAITH: A Musical Tribute To Mother Teresa
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 24, 2024

ECG Productions Inc. and Legato Arts will present Journey of Faith: A Musical Tribute to Mother Teresa on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 8pm at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.
Roundabout Theatre Will Celebrate John Kander at Benefit Hosted By Alan Cumming
by Stephi Wild - Dec 20, 2024

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced a special one-night event Ring Them Bells: A Birthday Celebration for John Kander, hosted by Alan Cumming. Learn more here!
LA BOHEME, THE NUTRCRACKER and More Holiday Programming Now Streaming On Carnegie Hall+
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 17, 2024

Carnegie Hall+—Carnegie Hall's video streaming channel—invites music lovers to celebrate the holiday season with a curated selection of operas, ballets, concerts, and films, perfect for viewing at this festive time of year.
English National Opera Launches Plans For A New Partnership With Greater Manchester
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 21, 2024

English National Opera has announced the first wave of plans for a major new partnership between the company and the city-region of Greater Manchester for the next three years, enabling ENO to be firmly established within Greater Manchester by 2029.
Ars Nova Reveals 2024-2025 Residencies & More Fall 2024 Programming
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2024

Ars Nova has revealed its artists for the 2024-2025 season. Ars Nova has also revealed additional programming in its original home at 511 W 54th Street and on its digital platform, Ars Nova Supra. Learn more!
Isabelle Huppert & More to be Featured in NYU Skirball Winter/Spring 2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2024

NYU Skirball’s Winter/Spring 2025 season will feature Robert Wilson, Isabelle Huppert, Florentina Holzinger, and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
Gibney and The Simons Foundation Reveal Open Interval Residency 2024-2025 Awardees
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 11, 2024

Gibney and the Simons Foundation have revealed the 2024-2025 Open Interval Residency cohort. This marks the third year of a partnership that began in 2022. Learn more about the awardees.
Cultural Ambassador Ronald Rand to Bring Harold Clurman In LET IT BE ART! To Athens
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2024

Ronald Rand will perform his acclaimed solo play LET IT BE ART! as Harold Clurman in Athens during the Global Arts Education Summit, marking nearly 25 years of world tours. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
WHERE WE MEET To Play Limited Run At The Cell
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 23, 2024

Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre announced the limited run of WHERE WE MEET, a solo musical by Kate Eberstadt, exploring quantum physics and human experience through music, from September 27-29, 2024.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Robert Wilson been nominated for?

Noteworthy/Unusual Effects (The Hewes Awards) for The Civil Wars - Act 5, The Trees, Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for A Letter For Queen Victoria and Outstanding Director (Drama Desk Awards) for Deafman Glance.

What awards has Robert Wilson won?

Robert Wilson has won several prestigious awards, including the Noteworthy/Unusual Effects award from The Hewes Awards for The Civil Wars - Act 5, The Trees. He also received the Scenic Design award from The Hewes Awards for A Letter For Queen Victoria. Additionally, he earned the Outstanding Director award at the Drama Desk Awards for Deafman Glance.

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