Winners of the 2024 Chita Rivera Awards have been announced. The awards ceremony, which recognizes excellence in dance and choreography across theater and film, was held on May 20 at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
In a tie, the award for Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show went to Camille A. Brown for her work on “Hell’s Kitchen” along with Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll for their collaboration on “Water for Elephants.”
The award for Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show, which allows for two winners, went to Antoine Boissereau for his performance in “Water for Elephants” and Tilly Evans-Krueger for a turn in “The Outsiders.”
The company of “Illinoise” was acknowledged as Outstanding Ensemble of a Broadway Show.
As previously announced, Bernadette Peters received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, Phil LaDuca, creator of LaDuca dance shoes, received the Vanguard Award for his contribution to the dance community. The Douglas and Ethel Watt Critics’ Choice Award, which honors work outside the established categories, was awarded to Mayte Natalio, who choreographed both “How to Dance in Ohio” and “Suffs” in the 2023-2024 Broadway season.
The Chita Rivera Awards were produced by Joe Lanteri in conjunction with Patricia Watt. All funding and proceeds from the 2024 awards will benefit the new Chita Rivera Training Scholarship, which is part of the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation Scholarship Program.
A complete list of nominees and winners, noted in bold, can be found below.
Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show (tie)
Camille A. Brown, “Hell’s Kitchen”
Julia Cheng, “Cabaret”
Rick and Jeff Kuperman, “The Outsiders”
Lorin Latarro, “The Heart of Rock and Roll”/“The Who’s Tommy” (joint nomination)
Justin Peck, “Illinoise”
Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll, “Water for Elephants”
Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show (two winners)
Antoine Boissereau, “Water for Elephants”
Ben Cook, “Illinoise”
Chloe Davis, “Hell’s Kitchen”
Gaby Diaz, “Illinoise”
Tilly Evans-Krueger, “The Outsiders”
Rachel Lockhart, “Illinoise”
Phillip Johnson Richardson, “The Wiz”
Byron Tittle, “Illinoise”
Ricky Ubeda, “Illinoise”
Avery Wilson, “The Wiz”
Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show
“Cabaret”
“Hell’s Kitchen”
“Illinoise”
“The Heart of Rock and Roll”
“The Outsiders”
“Water for Elephants”
Outstanding Choreography in a Theatrical Release
“Barbie,” Choreographer: Jennifer White
“Carmen,” Choreographer: Benjamin Millepied / Marina Tamayo
“Mean Girls,” Choreographer: Kyle Hanagami/Casey Nicholaw
“The Color Purple,” Choreographer: Fatima Robinson
“Wonka,” Choreographer: Christopher Gattelli
Outstanding Direction of a Dance Documentary
“Daughters,” Directors: Angela Patton/Natalie Rae
“Eldorado: Everything the Nazis Hate,” Directors: Benjamin Cantu/Matt Lambert
“Lift,” Director: David Petersen
“Studio One Forever,” Director: Marc Saltarelli
“Swan Song,” Director: Chelsea McMullan
Special Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernadette Peters
Vanguard Award: Phil LaDuca
Douglas and Ethel Watt Critics’ Choice Award: Mayte Natalio
