Faculty Recognized in 2024–25 Bessie Award Nominations
Several Theatre Arts & Dance faculty were recently acknowledged in the newly announced Bessie Award nominations. Carlo Antonio Villanueva received a 2024 nomination for Outstanding Performer with the ensemble of Weathering by Faye Driscoll. Talvin Wilks served as dramaturg for two Urban Bush Women works nominated for Outstanding Choreographer/Creator: Haint Blu (2024) and Scat! ... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar (2025).
Additionally, jess pretty and Sonja Kuftinec are engaged in scholarly research on CATS: The Jellicle Ball, which earned 2025 nominations for Outstanding Choreographer/Creator and Outstanding Performer.
A wonderful acknowledgment of the artistry and impact our faculty bring to the field.
You can see the full list of nominees at the Bessies website.
Details about the nominated pieces:
Carlo Antonio Villanueva received a nomination for Outstanding Performer as part of the Ensemble for Weathering by Faye Driscoll
2024 Bessie Award Nomination - Outstanding Performer
Ensemble
Weathering, Faye Driscoll
New York Live Arts
Weathering, Faye Driscoll
New York Live Arts
(Carlo Antonio Villanueva, Ensemble)
Talvin Wilks served as the dramaturg for two Urban Bush Women works that were nominated for Outstanding Choreographer/Creator, Chanon Judson and mame Diarra Speis's Haint Blu and Urban Bush Women for Scat! ... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar
2024 Bessie Award Nomination - Outstanding Choreographer/Creator
Chanon Judson and mame Diarra Speis of Urban Bush Women
Haint Blu
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Harlem, NYC
Haint Blu
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Harlem, NYC
(Talvin Wilks, Dramaturg)
2025 Bessie Award Nomination - Outstanding Choreographer/Creator
Urban Bush Women
Scat! ... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar
Perelman Performing Arts Center
Scat! ... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar
Perelman Performing Arts Center
(Talvin Wilks, Dramaturg)
Photos from Urban Bush Women's performance of Scat! ... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar (2025).
