McCarter’s Emily Mann Wins 2012 La Ovation Award for Best Director

The world premiere of The Convert was at McCarter Theatre.

McCarter Theatre Center’s world premiere production of Danai Gurira’s The Convert has earned six awards at the 2012 Ovation Awards in Los Angeles.

The LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards celebrate theatrical excellence and achievement. The Convert won best director (Emily Mann), lead actress (Pascale Armand), and featured actress (Zainab Jay). Design awards included lighting design (Lap Chi Chu),  scenic design (Daniel Ostling), and costume design (Paul Tazewell).

Set in 1895 in the region that would become Zimbabwe, The Convert tells the story of a girl forced to choose between her family’s traditions and the Christian faith, and the Western values she has embraced. The Convert, which had its world premiere at McCarter Theatre in January,  was produced in association with The Goodman Theatre in Chicago and Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles.

Mann will reunite with lighting designer Lap Chi Chu and set designer Daniel Ostling on McCarter’s upcoming production of Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance, which will run from Jan. 18 through Feb. 17.