Director of Dance Place and beloved leader in the dance field, Deborah Riley is pleased to accept the prestigious Pola Nirenska Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. The award will be presented on Saturday, January 23 at 7pm at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Please join us in congratulating Deborah at this unique evening celebrating four generations of Polish contemporary choreography and classical music. In honor of Pola Nirenska, Company E will restage Ms. Nirenska’s work Dirge, part of her Holocaust Tetralogy.
“What an honor to receive this recognition, just incredible. DC is a thriving dance community and it’s been a complete delight to find a home amongst so many engaging and inspiring artists. I’m fortunate to stand on the strong shoulders of Pola Nirenska and the many pioneering dancers who came before me. Their visionary efforts have made it possible for me to realize an artistic career. I’m tremendously grateful to Dance Place for providing me an anchor and support for countless opportunities.”
– Deborah Riley
About Deborah Riley
Recently described as one of “the presiding goddesses of this longstanding temple of dance,” (Sarah Kaufman, The Washington Post) Deborah Riley has provided 28 years of service to the Washington, DC dance community at Dance Place. In her capacity as artist-in-residence, faculty member, staff and Co-Director, Deborah has contributed immeasurably to nurturing the careers of thousands of dance artists, students and arts administrators. Under her tenure at Dance Place, the organization has been awarded the DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Service to the Arts and Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education and been recognized as “the hub of dance activity in Washington DC” (Alan M. Kriegsman).
As a dancer, choreographer and educator, career highlights include international touring with Douglas Dunn & Dancers, collaborative choreography with Diane Frank and director of Deborah Riley Dance Projects. In addition to guest artist residencies at universities across the country, Deborah’s choreographic work has been presented in the U.S, the U.K. and France. In the DC Metro area, Deborah’s Moving Affirmations workshops have helped to facilitate healing and recovery in partnership with community organizations such as the DC Rape Crisis Center, Montgomery County Crisis Center and Whitman Walker Clinic. Deborah continues to practice as a certified Laban Movement Analyst throughout the region.
Past honors include the Distinguished Alumni in Fine Arts Award from Ohio University and the Pola Nirenska Award for Distinguished Artistic Leadership. Deborah has served on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and the Bush Foundation.
WHAT: Pola Nirenska Lifetime Achievement Award Awarded to Deborah Riley
WHEN: Saturday, January 23 at 7pm, award ceremony at intermission
WHERE: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566
