Wayne McGregor and Danielle de Niese honoured with Olivier special awards
The Olivier Awards have revealed the recipients of this year’s special prizes for Outstanding Contribution to Dance and Opera, alongside Industry Recognition Awards, ahead of their 50th anniversary ceremony in April.
Choreographer Wayne McGregor will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Dance Award in recognition of his more than 30 years working across dance, technology and science. McGregor’s long affiliation with the Royal Ballet, where he has been resident choreographer since 2006, has been a defining feature of his career.
Soprano Danielle de Niese is named recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Opera Award. De Niese launched her career as a television host before making her Broadway debut in Les Misérables at 18, subsequently building a distinguished international opera career.
The Industry Recognition Awards, presented by the Society of London Theatre, will honour three individuals for their contributions behind the scenes and in theatre education. Betty Laine, founder and Principal Emerita of Laine Theatre Arts, is recognised for decades of training performers. Linda Tolhurst is celebrated for over 50 years of service at the National Theatre, including 46 years as Stage Door Keeper.
Playwright David Wood also receives an Industry Recognition Award for his work in children’s theatre, with stage adaptations of authors such as Roald Dahl and Floella Benjamin featuring prominently in his career.
The recipients will be presented with their awards at a ceremony at the Londoner Hotel on 20 March. They will also attend the Olivier Awards ceremony on 12 April, which will be broadcast on the BBC.
On the night of the Olivier Awards, McGregor and de Niese will present the awards for Best New Dance Production and Best New Opera Production, respectively, marking their prominent roles in the celebration.
These special prizes highlight the diverse talents acknowledged by the Olivier Awards alongside the main categories, emphasising the importance of work both onstage and behind the scenes in the UK’s performing arts sector.
