Last night, Gabriela Carrizo took home the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production for La Ruta, presented at Sadler’s Wells as part of a triple bill by Nederlands Dans Theater. Gregory Maqoma and Thuthuka Sibisi’s Broken Chord, Seeta Patel’s The Rite of Spring, and Time Spell by Michelle Dorrance, Jillian Meyers and Tiler Peck as part of Turn it Out with Tiler Peck and Friends completed the nominees in the Best New Dance Production category, all of which received their UK premieres at Sadler’s Wells last year.

Jonzi D was also nominated in the Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award for his artistic direction of Breakin’ Convention Festival 2023, the annual international hip hop dance theatre festival that takes place at Sadler’s Wells

Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Sadler’s Wells, said: “Congratulations to Gabriela Carrizo who won the Best New Dance Production award for La Ruta. Gabriela took our audiences into an utterly unique world in La Ruta for NDT – she creates such vivid dreamscapes full of menace and humour in equal measures. We’re thrilled that the category this year reflected the breadth of work that we present here at Sadler’s, from Bharatanatyam to tap, dance theatre to Xhosa and contemporary African styles. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous donors including Brenda Leff and the Blavatnik Family Foundation, so we are extremely grateful for their continued support, which enables us to demonstrate the diversity and richness of the art form.

We’re also delighted that our dear friend, colleague, and inspirational leader Jonzi D was recognised at this year’s Olivier Awards for his huge contribution to hip hop dance theatre with a nomination in the Outstanding Achievement in Dance category. Last year, Breakin’ Convention Festival marked its 20^th anniversary with its biggest celebration to date at Sadler’s Wells, spearheaded by Jonzi D and Michelle Norton. We’re delighted to be working on our next enterprise, Academy Breakin’ Convention, with Jonzi, Niquelle LaTouche and the Breakin’ Convention team, which will open at Sadler’s Wells East as part of East Bank. This will continue to recognise the importance of, and platform, hip hop in the wider dance ecology by nurturing and developing young talent. The future is bright.”

Gabriela Carrizo, winner of the Best New Dance Production said: “It is with great honour that I receive this award. Special thanks to Emily Molnar, Artistic Director of NDT, the incredible dancers of NDT1, the talented NDT1 technical crew, Louis-Clément da Costa, Raphaëlle Latini, Amber Vandenhoeck, Tom Visser, Francesca Caroti and Peeping Tom. I would like to thank Sir Alistair Spalding from Sadler’s Wells for his support and for bringing La Ruta to London. This award is for all of you, may we continue creating and dreaming together!”

Brenda Leff, Sadler’s Wells’ Trustee and Co-Chair of its Development Council: “Dance has always been my passion and it’s a genuine thrill and pleasure to be supporting Sadler’s Wells, making it possible for them to present works that are recognised at prestigious award ceremonies such as the Oliviers. World-leading productions of this quality are an essential part of a great cultural institution and I know from my experience in the US just how much of a difference philanthropy can make. I’m proud to support the talented and visionary creators making work for Sadler’s Wells, and always look forward to many wonderful occasions in the theatre shared by the passionate audiences”.