On Saturday, February 10, The Forge attended the red carpet and panel of the Virtuosos Award. The honored virtuosos included America Ferrera for Barbie, Andrew Scott for All of Us Strangers, Colman Domingo for Rustin and The Color Purple, Charles Melton for May December, Danielle Brooks for The Color Purple, Da’Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers, Greta Lee for Past Lives, and Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon. On the red carpet, The Forge was able to speak with two virtuosos, Charles Melton and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, as well as Jane Lynch who awarded the Virtuosos Award to the honorees. See the embedded YouTube video to see all of The Forge’s interviews.
The panel opened with a performance of “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” by Osage Tribal Singers, a six-and-a-half minute drum and song performance. During the panel, 14-time Virtuosos Host Dave Karger interviewed each honoree one-on-one in usual Virtuosos night fashion, and then brought out all of the honorees on stage for a fun group interview. Here are some notable moments from the individual interviews:
America Ferrera recalled that watching Barbie with her toddler daughter on her lap made her really “hear [her] voice” for the first time during her iconic monologue.
Andrew Scott spoke on his scenes with Paul Mescal in AOUS, saying that the “tender” scenes were important to him, and commenting, “Our vulnerability is our greatest power.”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph told a funny story about seeing someone watch The Holdovers on a plane, saying, “I’m a little weird… I like watching people watch TV on airplanes– let me finish that sentence!” The encounter ended with Da’Vine and the woman meeting and sharing a hug. “That stuff, you dream of!”

Charles Melton being interviewed by Sabrina Cruz [Image Credit Charley Raymond]