AWARD-WINNER: Actor Denzel Washington is the recipient of Crossroads Theatre Company’s Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee Living Legends Award.

On October 19, actor Denzel Washington will accept Crossroads Theatre Company’s inaugural Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee Living Legends Award, at a fundraiser at the Heidrich Hotel and the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

The gala will feature special performances by Crossroads alumni, as well as receptions. Crossroads, a resident member of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, is in its fourth decade of being a gateway for black theater.

“We are pleased and proud to celebrate and recognize Mr. Denzel Washington for his lifetime achievements,” said Anthony P. Carter, board chairman. “As part of our coming home festivities, Crossroads has created the award to recognize a prominent person(s) from the arts and entertainment community who emulates the activist voice, vision, and value of its namesakes, and whose body of work illustrates best-in-class acting and portrayal of people, places, and promise.”

Davis and Dee used their talents to bring the civil rights movement to the national stage and small and big screens, to nurture and cultivate acting, directorial, and production talent.

Washington began his professional acting career in New York and later appeared on the television series St. Elsewhere before crossing over into the world of film. He has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe awards, the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Award, and the American Film Institute Achievement Award. He is the producer of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for Netflix, which will be directed by George C. Wolfe and will feature Viola Davis, both Crossroads alumni.

For more information, visit www.anightwithcrossroads.org.