The awards, now in their 29th year, were established with the cooperation of Fred Astaire to honor him and his sister, Adele, who starred with her brother in ten Broadway musicals between 1917 and 1931.

The 2011 ceremony will be presented by Ava Astaire in tribute to her late father and aunt, and also by Patricia Watt in tribute to her father, late arts critic Douglas Watt.

Mitchell made his Broadway directorial debut in 2007 with the musical Legally Blonde, which he also choreographed. Mitchell is a 2005 Tony Award winner for Best Choreography for La Cage aux Folles. That same year the choreographer was nominated for Best Choreography for his work on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He has received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for choreographing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hairspray, The Full Monty and Never Gonna Dance. His film work includes "In & Out," "Camp," "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and "Scent of a Woman." His current projects include the London production of Love Never Dies, the upcoming Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can and a revival of the musical Ballroom.

Proceeds from the 2010 awards will benefit the Dance & Movement Therapy Program at P723X School in Morris Heights. Bronwen Carson serves as co-producer.

The Fred & Adele Astaire Award nominations will be announced in the spring.