Overview of the Valencia Performing Arts Awards finalists
The Valencia Performing Arts Awards, organized by the Valencian Institute of Culture on behalf of the Generalitat, recognizes and promotes the work of professionals in Valencian theatre, dance, and circus. In its fifth edition, the ceremony is set to take place on November 28 at the Alicante Main Theater, a venue that hosted the gala in 2019.
Among 54 finalists selected from a pool of 103 shows, performances span across eight Alicante province venues and include both stage and street formats. The lineup features diverse dance works and multidisciplinary performances, highlighting the breadth of Valencian performing arts.
One notable entry is Public, a dance piece choreographed and performed by Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, a dancer born in San Fulgencio in 1978 and the artistic director of Dance to Titoya. Commissioned by the Institut Valencià de Cultura (IVC) for Sansano, Public earned nominations in multiple categories, including best dancer for Alicante Diana Huertas for OtraDanza’s Habit, best dancer for Itxa Sai Mediavilla, and best show for Louis Crespo for Vitality Mortis. Performances produced by the IVC are not eligible for certain categories such as best dance, theatre, children’s, street, or circus shows.
Two additional nominations were earned by Sexy Proposal, a piece by the Paula Serrano Company from Alcoy. This dance work explores attraction to the unknown and the enigmatic. It had previously secured nominations for best dance show and best choreographic direction in an earlier edition.
Outdoor dance-circus fusion works also received attention. The first piece designed for outdoor spaces, by the Elche-based company OtherDance and directed by Asun Noales, received a nomination for best street show, with Rachel Molano noted as a frequent collaborator in Lucas Escobedo’s productions. A nomination for best musical composition was also anticipated for the stage show.
The Alicante section closes with a nomination for best dancer awarded to Salvador Rocher from the company Brown, based in Santa Pola, for the show Between Us. This production had previously featured at the Fresca festival and is organized by the IVC in Alicante.
more candidates
Among other favorites, the TV series Most Nominated includes The Company’s Floating Bridge, which received four nominations for best theatrical performance, best actor for Àlex Cantó, best set design for Joan Collado, and best lighting by Marc Gonzalo. The Leopard and Zaifina also earned four nominations, competing for best theatrical performance, best direction, and best text with actress Arianne Algarra highlighted for a leading role.
Additional nominations highlighted Publicshows, A Century-Old Abyss of Russafa, and others supported by cultural organizations such as CIA Christina Gomez and DelsAltres Y Teua mà in Meua of l’Om Imprebis. In terms of origin, 63 participating companies hail from the Valencia province, with 11 from Castellón and 8 from Alicante.
juries
The first independent jury, comprising seven members—Pepe Ayelo, Marta Borcha, Maria Colomer, Rafa Contreras, Sara Esteller, José Vicente Peiró, and Carmen Valera—reviewed all submitted shows and performers to determine the nominees.
A second jury will then select winners from each list, guided by distinguished cultural figures. The final prizes will be announced at the Alicante awards ceremony.
majority of the theatre
Of the 103 registered shows, 47 are theatre, 17 are dance, 19 are works for youth, 15 are street arts, and 5 are circus. Theatrical, dance, and children’s performances must have premiered in the Valencian Community between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. Street arts and circus shows must have been presented in the Community between May 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022 due to their special nature.