BTW’s Vision: 30 years of celebrating the best and brightest
Two young Montreal artists, Vladimir Alexis and Briauna James both emerging actors, will be honoured for their achievements and their commitment to the arts by Black Theatre Workshop at the 30th annual Vision Celebration Gala on January 30th.
Alexis, a Dawson College graduate, will receive the Gloria Mitchell-Aleong Award, and James, who is currently at Dawson’s Professional Theatre program, will be honoured with the Victor Phillips Award.
Alexis boasts of a longstanding relationship with BTW, having participated in the company’s YouthWorks and Artist Mentorship Program, and performed in the Black History Month School Tour of The New Canadian Kid.
He also comes with an impressive list of credits in films and stage productions, including a lead role in Stonewall, a film directed by Roland Emmerich (2012, Independence Day, The Patriot, Stargate) that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. He was a guest star on the television show Saving Hope and will be featured in the upcoming premiere of X-Men: Apocalypse.
On stage, Alexis appeared in In Transit (The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts), Hairspray (Just Pour Rire), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Mainline) and Blind (Scapegoat Carnivale).
James started acting at the age of five with the drama group at her church and appeared in many of their productions. She then took it to another level at Centennial Regional High School where she appeared in
Plays, including Stay, iRonnie and The Follies: Alice in Wonderland.
Over the past year she has had several standout performances at Dawson in productions, such as The Visit and My Son is Crazy…But Promising. James is looking forward to a bright future in film and on stage.
At this year’s milestone Vision Celebration, which marks three decades since the BTW has been honouring those who have made contributions to the arts in Canada and beyond, Vladimir and Briauna will share the spotlight along with two other great Canadians, Jackie Richardson and Otis Grant.
Richardson is a Toronto based award-winning singer who has shared the stage with many of the all-time greats in a career that extends well over four decades. She will receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award.
Grant, a former world-boxing champion, has established himself as a great Montrealer through his work as a community worker and educator. He will be awarded the Dr. Clarence Bayne Community Service Award.
Vision Celebration Gala takes place January 30 at EVO LA Plaza Centre-Ville. The evening will be hosted by Nantali Indongo of CBC Radio and Nomadic Massive. With performances by Kim Richardson, Jireh Gospel Choir, Saarah-Ellise Hicks and Daniel Loyer. Music by DJ Don Smooth. Vision 2016 will be an unforgettable night in the spirit of Dr. King.
Information: 514-932-1104 ext. 228 .
