NEW YORK CITY: Arts journalist, theatre critic, and 3Views co-editor Brittani Samuel can be awarded the inaugural Edward Medina Prize for Excellence in Cultural Criticism by the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA). The award, which can be introduced at ATCA’s New York gathering this month, is meant to honor theatre critics and journalists within the United States from under-represented backgrounds who write about theatre and its function in highlighting individuals from numerous cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. The prize additionally is meant to encourage elevated readership of cultural criticism composed by various writers and critics from under-represented teams.
“Brittani is a dynamic New York City-based writer who has collected an impressive collection of regional and national bylines,” mentioned ATCA chair David John Chávez in an announcement. “Her work has critically captured a plethora of topics from trends in the American theatre movement to touchstones of popular culture.”
Samuel is a Caribbean American tradition journalist whose work has appeared not solely at 3Views on Theater however in American Theatre, Broadway News, Glamour, Observer, Zora, and several other different shops. She is an alumna of the BIPOC Critics Lab and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Critics Institute.
“Wow, I’m floored,” mentioned Samuel in an announcement. “I’m very honored to be selected for this inaugural award in reverence of such a special human being.” Samuel will obtain a money award, a complimentary annual ATCA membership and journey and lodging prices for the November 2022 ATCA convention in New York City.
Samuel was chosen by a panel of theatre, journalism, and communication professionals together with Wei Huan Chen, Mirla Criste, Jiles King, Lynde Rosario, Yura Sapi, Russell G. Jones, and Jay Woods.
“Reviewing Brittani’s application, it was clear to me that she loves the theatre despite being able to identify systemic and longstanding problems in it,” mentioned Jones. “I was really impressed by her piece on Claudia Rankine’s play Help at The Shed, and I am excited that ATCA is supporting her voice.”
“Brittani demonstrates a great use of personal voice that cultivates an honest and welcoming energy to readers,” mentioned choose Yura Sapi, who’s the founding father of Advancing Arts Forward, in an announcement. “As we reviewed submissions for the Medina Prize, we looked for writers whose unique voice has the potential to lead to large-scale transformation in the theater and theater criticism industries.”
ATCA named the prize in honor of Edward Medina, a proud Nuyorican whose well-established life inside the arts and leisure business included work as a acknowledged and award-winning producer, director, and creator. Medina additionally was a critic and member of the American Theatre Critics Association, for which he served on the manager committee, in addition to the the Membership and Belonging and Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion committees till his dying in 2021. He emphasised the necessity for growing variety inside theatrical manufacturing and criticism and sought to supply contemporary alternatives and assist for brand spanking new critics discovering their calling on this important discipline.
Related