The theater awards season kicked into high gear with the announcement of the 67th annual Drama Desk Award nominations on April 27, 2023. Local theatrical circus company, Cirque Mechanics — which premiered its latest show, Zephyr, at UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall on September 24, 2022 — was honored with a nomination in the Best Unique Theatrical Experience.

The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York Theater, founded in 1949 it honors the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway. What sets the Drama Desk Awards apart is that they are voted on and bestowed by critics, journalists, editors, and publishers covering theater.

Zephyr, which was launched exclusively in partnership with the UNLV Performing Arts Center, is an emotive and exhilarating tale about our choices for our planet and its resources, featuring a performance windmill as the multi-functional mechanical centerpiece of the story. The show portrays the unrelenting tug-of-war between man and nature in the name of progress as the artists harness human power, instead of wind, to generate an awe-inspiring, energetic acrobatic experience.

“Our partnership with UNLV is invaluable to Cirque Mechanics," said Chris Lashua, Cirque Mechanics creative director. "UNLV has been instrumental in the launch of our shows by providing us with a theater at home to build, tech, rehearse and premiere our productions. Our collaboration is essential to the growth of not only our company, but the greater Las Vegas arts community. We are fortunate to have such a supportive and important community champion. We share this prestigious Drama Desk Nomination with our UNLV PAC partners.”

The PAC contributed more than $50,000 to the production, including free rent for the facility, more than 350 labor hours, and the first three audiences to see the production.

"PAC technical staff was integral, assisting Cirque Mechanics in mounting every aspect of the production," said Lori Cobo, PAC executive director.

In addition, UNLV students experienced the launch of the brand new production, and had workshops with the Cirque Mechanics creative team. Over 700 local students attended the student matinee. 

"As we've done with other organizations, we have been and continue to be proud to partner with Las Vegas-based Cirque Mechanics to launch two of their productions: Zephyr and 42ft," said Cobo. "We're honored that they've received a Drama Desk nomination for this show, and happy to have given them a performance home in their home base."

The Unique Theatrical Experience category celebrates productions, that due to their unusual nature, cannot be categorized in the regular musical and play categories. 

Winners will be announced the week of May 29 and the awards will be presented during an intimate ceremony at Sardi's on Tuesday, June 6 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.