Broadway: Baayork Lee Honored With 2014 Paul Robeson Award

My dear wonderful friend Baayork Lee - Asian American actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, director and author - has received the 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation.

I first met Baayork in 1989 when she cast me in the first of two National Touring companies of A Chorus Line. Since then we've remained friends; and last year she asked me to choreograph a gala production of Hello, Dolly! for her National Asian Artists Project which was a beautiful experience.

From Broadway World:

Created in 1971, the Paul Robeson award honors individuals or organizations that best exemplify and practice the principles of universal brotherhood of all humankind, commitment to the freedom of conscience and of expression, belief in the artist's responsibility to society, respect for the dignity of the individual and concern for and service to all humans of any race or nationality.

Throughout her career, Baayork Lee has been committed to promoting a diverse society on American stages and dedicated to fostering opportunities for Asian American performers to play roles for which they might otherwise not be considered.

In 2009, Lee founded (with Steven Eng and Nina Zoie) the National Asian Artists Project, which focuses on providing opportunities for the Asian American artistic community. NAAP's "Discover New Musicals" program allows writers of all races and ethnicities to have new works showcased annually, utilizing Asian American casts, and its educational programs enable artists to hone their craft and to stay competitive in the workplace.

A member of the 1951 original production of The King and I, Baayork returned to Broadway in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song, Bravo Giovanni, Mr. President, Here's Love, Golden Boy, A Joyful Noise, Henry, Sweet Henry, Promises, Promises, Seesaw and Michael Bennett's groundbreaking production of A Chorus Line, in which she originated the role of "Connie."

She worked with Bennett in several productions and over the years went from being his dance partner, to being his assistant. She would later supervise all major productions of A Chorus Line, choreographing 35 international productions as well as the 2006 Broadway revival. She is the co-author of the book, On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line, published in 1990.

Lee also has choreographed and directed scores of national and international tours of, among others, The King and I; Bombay Dreams; Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella; Porgy and Bess; Jesus Christ Superstar and Carmen Jones.

(via BroadwayWorld)