August 7, 2012

Meet Joel Jimenez, 2012 Princess Grace Award Winner

We couldn’t be more thrilled to make this announcement!

Cornerstone community participant Joel Jimenez has been awarded the 2012 PRINCESS GRACE AWARD for Theater Apprenticeship. He’ll be working closely with the company as an actor in three of our upcoming productions and also shadowing our ensemble.

Joel Jimenez, 2012 Princess Grace Award winner.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) Awards for theater, dance and choreography, and film continue the legacy of Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco, who helped emerging artists pursue their artistic goals during her lifetime. Each year, the Foundation presents the Princess Grace Awards to artists who show excellence and promise in the areas of theater, dance, and film. This year’s 25 Awards winners will travel to New York City, where they will receive their Awards at the 30th Anniversary Princess Grace Awards Gala, held in the presence of TSH The Prince and Princess of Monaco, on October 22, 2012 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Stay tuned for updates on this monumental trip!

3 Truths, 2010

Joel first worked with Cornerstone as a community participant in “Touch the Water,” a show focused on environmental justice issues surrounding the LA River. This was his first acting experience. He brought a sensitivity and depth of emotion to his role that surprised and invigorated us all. Joel was cast again in 3 Truths, the Justice Cycle Bridge Show, as a very different character, a rough and truly tragic figure. Most recently he played a supporting role in The Unrequited, our community collaboration in Watts.

Joel has gone on to pursue acting with other companies, and is passionate about acting and writing as a career. Through the Princess Grace Award, Cornerstone will provide Joel with mentorship during three Cornerstone productions, as well as intensive learning opportunities with our Ensemble. Joel says that Cornerstone has become his “artistic home” and a place he feels “welcome and alive.” “My goal, now and for the future, is to arm myself with as many tools as possible – my weapons of creativity,” shares Joel. “I want to continue to grow as an artist… The chance to see my future become what it is in my wildest dreams. My heart beats for this type of exploration and creation at this point in my life – and I feel compelled to see that passion through.”

Stay tuned for more updates on Joel’s exciting year ahead!