Princess Grace Award winners work in a broad array of mediums – from live art to books, to television and film – and our Award winners are at the forefront of utilizing new technologies like VR and presenting new work in digital spaces. So in this time of crisis, our artists are finding more creative platforms to showcase their work, and we are finding more ways to promote it! Please peruse these exciting works and keep checking back as this list is constantly evolving as our artists continue to create!
FILMS
This category includes film directed by or starring Princess Grace Award winners. Scroll through to find recent hits, new favorites and even debut feature films!
Sergio Mata’u Rapu
In a cinematic letter to his son, native Rapanui (Easter Island) filmmaker Sergio Mata’u Rapu explores the modern dilemma of their people, descendants of the ancient statue builders, as they face the consequences of their rapidly developing home. Rent now through your favorite local theater. |
Chinonye Chukwu
Don’t miss Chinonye’s 2019 Sundance Grace Jury Prize winning film. Available to rent or buy on Amazon |
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Start with the film that launched Cary’s career, Sin Nombre
And check out his other films: Jane Eyre (Available on Starz or to rent on Amazon) Beasts of No Nation (Available on Netflix) |
Nijla Mu’min
Watch Nijla’s first feature available on Amazon. The film premiered at SXSW in 2018 and Nijla received the Special Jury Recognition for Writing. |
Jon M. ChuAvailable on Amazon Prime
Also check out Jon’s other films before his blockbuster hit: Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Now You See Me 2, and G.I. Joe Retaliation |
Oscar Isaac
Watch everyone’s favorite fighter pilot, Poe Dameron in the new Star Wars trilogy. Also check out any film from Oscar’s prolific career. Some of our favorites: Inside Llewyn Davis, Ex-Machina, A Most Violent Year |
Maureen Towey
Short on time? Check out this moving short film adapted from Elinor Fuchs’ memoir, Making an Exit. |
Eric DarnellCo-creator and director of the Madagascar series
Original is available on HBO and check out the sequels on Amazon Prime |
Rashaad Ernesto Green
Rent Rashaad’s second feature film, starring Zora Howard. And check out his first feature, Gun Hill Road on Amazon. |
Reinaldo Marcus Green
Watch Reinaldo’s first feature starring John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman) and Anthony Ramos (Hamilton). Available on Amazon. |
Greg Mottola
Rewatch (or discover for the first time) this now classic comedy. Available on Amazon Also check out Greg’s other films Adventureland, Paul, Clear History and Keeping Up With the Joneses. |
Eric SimonsonA Note of Triumph: the Golden Age of Norman Corwin
Watch the 2006 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Short, directed by Eric. Available on Amazon. |
Nejla YatkinReleased to celebrate International Day of Dance on April 29, 2020, travel around the world with choreographer Nejla Yatkin with her short documentary film. |
TV
Princess Grace Award winners work as writers, directors, showrunners, and star in TV series. Scroll through to find new shows and old favorites.
Bridget CarpenterWriter Showrunner
Bridget has been in the writer’s room and the showrunner for some of the TVs most bingeworthy shows. Check out her work in Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, 11.22.63, The Red Road and the first season of Westworld. |
Stephen HillenburgCreator
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Revisit this perennial favorite cartoon which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year at the Monte Carlo TV Festival. |
Cary Joji FukunagaEmmy Director, 1st Season True Detective Watch the show that earned Cary his Emmy Available on HBO
Also check out his Netflix show, Maniac |
Shaunette Renée WilsonActress
Catch up on Fox’s medical drama, The Resident. Co-starring Shaunette Renée Wilson as Dr. Mina Okafor. |
Eric SimonsonWriter
Eric was a writer on season 3 of The Man in the High Castle and Homecoming. Both are available on Amazon Prime. |
Bridget CarpenterWriter Showrunner
Bridget has been in the writer’s room and the showrunner for some of the TVs most bingeworthy shows. Check out her work in Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, 11.22.63, The Red Road and the first season of Westworld. |
BOOKS, PODCASTS & MUSIC
Take a break from the screen and read a book by an Award winner or listen to an album. Currently on PGF’s playlist – Leslie Odom Jr.’s MR (of course)!
David HallbergA Body of Work : Dancing to the Edge and Back
At the height of his career, David suffered a devastating injury that lead to his retreat from ballet and an honest reexamination of his life. His memoir takes a look at his artistic life – right up to the moment he returns to the stage. |
Leslie Odom Jr.
Also make sure to read his book, Failing Up, and listen to him in his iconic role as Aaron Burr on the Hamilton cast recording. |
Kara Lee CorthronThe Truth of Right Now
One of Bank Book’s Best Books of 2018, Kara’s debut novel tackles first love and the wreckage of growing up. |
Victor Lodato
If you’re in the mood for something a little shorter, read Victor’s essay in the NY Times Modern Love series or listen to Victor talk about finding inspiration while sheltering at home on the Magic Theatre’s podcast. |
Patrick PageHadestown: Original Cast Recording
Listen to Broadway’s favorite villain and the rest of the Hadestown cast. |
Margaret Mullin
Get a behind the scenes “listen” into the ballet world with Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist Margaret Mullin’s podcast. |
Megan Sandberg-Zakian
An artistic coming-of-age journey of a contemporary theater artist in ten essays, There Must Be Happy Endings: On a Theater of Optimism & Honesty is a smart, engaging and gently humorous contribution to the discussion of how we face art-making – and living – with hope and optimism, and an elegant, accessible, and satisfying companion to practical work in the world. |
David HallbergA Body of Work : Dancing to the Edge and Back
At the height of his career, David suffered a devastating injury that lead to his retreat from ballet and an honest reexamination of his life. His memoir takes a look at his artistic life – right up to the moment he returns to the stage. |
Leslie Odom Jr.
Also make sure to read his book, Failing Up, and listen to him in his iconic role as Aaron Burr on the Hamilton cast recording. |
LIVE EVENTS
From teaching dance classes on IG live to digital theater premieres and hosting weekly readings, Award winners are creative in how they connect with their community. Take class or listen in.
Robyn Mineko WilliamsUndercover Episode 018: Home Video One Night Only | May 29 6:30pm CMT This one-night-only, digital performance is the latest incarnation of “Undercover Episodes,” choreographer Robyn Mineko Williams’ innovative, ongoing dance series uniquely designed to fit into a multitude of spaces. The evening features Hubbard Street’s full company performing the work from their homes, a live score by Chicago band Verger, and interactive pre and post show events.
Mike Gross and Emilie Leriche in Undercover Episode 005: Hyde Park | Photo credit: Kathryn Staron |
Melia Bensussen
Artistic Director of Hartford Stage and Chair of the Princess Grace Arts Advisory Board is taking her weekly readings live. |
Michelle Dorrance | Dorrance Dance
Calling all hoofers! Join Michelle and members of Dorrance Dance Ensemble for virtual lessons every Wednesday at 3pm EST/noon PST. |
Louisa Proske (Director) & Zoe Scofield (Choreographer)The Mother of Us All: An opera by Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson A world premiere about the fight for suffrage in America; the opera was an historic first collaboration between the New York Philharmonic, the MetMuseum and Juilliard. Performed in February 2020 in the iconic Engelhard Court, it marked the 100th Anniversary of the 19th amendment and Susan B Anthony’s 200th birthday. Now available online. Photo credit: Stephanie Berger |
Isabella Boylston
Take class with the “Cindies”. Isabella and fellow Principal Dancer James Whiteside teach ballet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And Isabella has plans to develop a virtual repertory class to learn classical variations. |
Gabrielle LambVirtual Ballet and Improvisation
Join Gabrielle Lamb for Int/Adv Ballet class and Improvisation. Her class schedule rotates so be sure to check out pigeonwingdance for updates. |
Tiler Peck
Mondays – Fridays at 1pm EST/10am PST Tiler teaches ballet on IG Live. For beginners, advanced, and everyone in between. Tune in to dance, and to see her special guest stars. |
Andrea Miller
Join Artistic Director of Gallim Dance, Andrea Miller for virtual happy hour every Thursday at 6pm EST. Each week join for a live-streamed happy hour conversation about dance’s evolving field: what can change, how we can grow, and what we can create through collaboration. |
Spenser Theberge
Take ballet barre with Spenser Theberge. Spenser teaches at dance at CalArts and previously danced some of the world’s top contemporary companies including Nederlands Dans Company and the Forsythe Company. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1pm EST/10am PST
Photo credit: Jacob Jonas |
Franco Nieto
Join Franco for a contemporary class Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am PST/1pm EST. |
Melia Bensussen
Artistic Director of Hartford Stage and Chair of the Princess Grace Arts Advisory Board is taking her weekly readings live. |
Tiler Peck
Mondays – Fridays at 1pm EST/10am PST Tiler teaches ballet on IG Live. For beginners, advanced, and everyone in between. Tune in to dance, and to see her special guest stars. |