The Third Annual Platinum PIAs Awards in December 2012 occurred at the Helen Mills Theater in Manhattan. Lights Camera Read produced the First Annual Platinum PIAs in 2010 at the Tribeca Screening Room. For the Second Annual PIAs in 2011, Dramatics NYC came on board as a sponsor.
The mission of Lights Camera Read is to engage the community, businesses and artists in a collaborative educational process. The PIAs in turn give recognition to those who participate in this educational process. PIAs are presented in a variety of categories under two major headings which are community outreach and the beauty arts.
Hair stylist Harliquin “Harley” Merva is a unique example of someone who bridges “beauty arts” and “community outreach” and hence he received the Magic Neighbors Platinum PIA.
Harliquin is both a sought after hair stylist as well as an accomplished theater director. He put both these skills to work when he was a guest artist with the Magic Neighbors Theater Company and performed for children of shelters at the Morrisania Branch of the New York Public Library.
And part of the excitement at the 2012 Platinum PIAs was the premier of a preview of “Lovington”. The “Lovington” number “Love Boat” was the grand finale of the PIAs last year and was a singing and dancing spectacular.
Harley is heading up the Star Stylist Platinum PIA division for this year’s PIAs.And now as we move toward the 4th Annual Platinum PIAs coming in January 2014, there is a heightened anticipation in regards to Harley’s participation.
This year during the countdown he is working with nine emerging hair stylists, each from a different Dramatics NYC salon location in Manhattan and each of whom is dedicated to honoring through hair fashion a particular New York profession.
For example, Levi – who is a talented stylist from the Dramatics West Village location – will be doing a hair fashion homage to New York City Make Up Artists.
Other professions being honored through fashion include Teachers, Musicians, Artists, Actors/Dancers, Firefighters, Secretaries, Hospital Staff and Veterans.