CHICAGO: Court Theatre has announced that Kelvin Roston, Jr. is the recipient of the 2019-20 Nicholas Rudall Classic Artist Award. The award, which was established in 2018 to honor founding artistic director Nicholas Rudall, is given to an artist “with a passion for and dedication to classic plays.” Roston joins previous recipients Kate Fry and Allen Gilmore.

“There aren’t words that can adequately express how completely overwhelmed and honored I felt when I received the news,” said Roston, who will be seen in Court’s upcoming production of Othello, in a statement. “It feels incredible to have your peers enjoy your work.”

Previous Court Theatre credits include Oedipus Rex, King Hedley II, Five Guys Named Moe, Seven Guitars, Porgy and Bess, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. In Chicago, he has also worked at Congo Square, Paramount, Marriott Theatre, Goodman, ITC, eta Creative Arts, Writers, Black Ensemble, TimeLine, Northlight, and Steppenwolf. Regional theatre appearances include The Black Rep, Fulton, New Theatre, MSMT, Baltimore Center Stage, Mosaic, and Apollo. His television credits include Chicago Med, Chicago PD, KFC, Instant Care, and Ace Hardware. Film credits include Get a Job, Princess Cyd, and Breathing Room. He has been honored with a Jeff Award, three BTA Awards, two Black Excellence Awards, and a NAMI Award. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, an ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre Co., and represented by Paonessa Talent.

“Kelvin is masterful at making stories resonate with contemporary audiences thanks to his passion, intelligence, and extraordinary range as an actor,” said Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale artistic director, in a statement. “I know Nick would have been dazzled by Kelvin’s towering portrayals of two such different kings, Hedley and Oedipus.”