Programs
Suite Life Paradigm Awards
Inspired by Kelly Strayhorn Theater’s namesakes Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly, and as a new chapter in our beloved holiday concert Suite Life, KST is announcing the inaugural Suite Life Paradigm Awards. Building on the two entertainment legend’s transformative legacies, the awards celebrate performing artists and behind-the-scenes visionaries who are redefining music and dance in our region.
Please read the award descriptions below and complete the required fields to tell us about your nominee.
Suite Life Paradigm Award in Music: Inspired by Billy Strayhorn’s groundbreaking fusion of African American musical traditions and European classical forms, and his lasting influence on American culture, the Suite Life Paradigm Award in Music honors visionary behind-the-scenes professionals, musicians, vocalists, and composers. It celebrates those whose work transcends boundaries and opens new possibilities for the future of music.
Suite Life Paradigm Award in Dance: Inspired by Gene Kelly’s revolutionary approach to musical theater and film direction—treating the camera as another dancer and using choreography to propel the story as powerfully as dialogue—this award celebrates artists who expand the possibilities of movement-driven storytelling. The Suite Life Paradigm Award in Dance recognizes visionary dancers, choreographers, pedagogical practitioners, embodied practitioners, and educators, who develop new movement vocabularies advancing how dance redefines culture, identity, and the human experience.
Eligibility & Selection Process:
Eligibility: Nominees must currently reside in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Selection: Nominations are submitted anonymously. KST staff will review submissions for eligibility and alignment with the award criteria. Two selection committees of peers and industry practitioners in music and dance will vote on the final honorees from that list.
Announcement & Ceremony: Awardees will be announced at the end of October. The awards will be presented during the VIP Reception of Suite Life on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, prior to the concert.
Deadline: Nominations close Monday, September 7, 2026, at 11:59pm.