Inaugural Valley Theatre Awards a SUCCESS!!

Wow!! One word describes tonight's inaugural Valley Theatre Awards event...COMMUNITY! The excitement and energy within the room was utterly remarkable.

The intimate Arts Square Theatre (located Downtown on Charleston and Main) hosted this event at full capacity with local performers, theatre practitioners, and loyal patrons cheering one another proudly while honoring each others achievements during the 2013-2014 season. The audience was incredibly respectfully and vocal, I've truly never felt a greater sense of community within our very own arts scene quite like tonight.

Myron Martin (President/CEO) and Paul Beard (VP/COO) from the Smith Center were also in attendance and presented the awards for Best Costume Design, Best Scenic Design, and Best Production.  Collaboration was the theme of tonight's acceptance speeches, exemplifying that it takes everyone to create art and make live theatre possible. It was also apparent by the audience commentary that local directors and designers were fans of each other's work.

The top honors this evening went to RED by Poor Richards Player's for Best Direction, Best Actor, and the Best Production awards.  Taylor Hanes (best actor) was genuinely brought to tears by the overwhelming support of his peers; his honest acceptance speech was very touching.  Anton Chekhov's Cheery Orchard of the Living Dead swept all other acting categories including Best Ensemble.  The surprise win this evening was Stones In His Pockets by the British National Theatre of America earning the Audience Choice Award (the only category open to voting by the general public).  Congrats to all the winners and nominees.  Below is a full list of tonight's winners.

Most importantly, congrats to Executive Director Jacob Coakley for organizing this incredible and well received event.  In his speech, he said the Valley Theatre Awards was created in the aftermath of stage critic Anthony De Valle's unfortunate passing away last year.  This community needed another champion for theatre which resulted in a collective group of theatre practitioners and patrons who would together recommend the Valley's best.  Besides promoting and honoring theatre, this new organization aims to build the infrastructure needed to help connect theatre companies, makers and audiences.

I believe this is the start of something very good.

~Ace

WINNERS: 

The cast of Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead

Best Ensemble: The cast of Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead

Best Costume Design: Isaiah Urrabazo, Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead by Table 8 Productions

Kelli Wright

Best Actress in a Principal Role: Kellie Wright, Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead

Best Scenic Design: David Sankuer, Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead

Brandon Burke & Taliesin McEnaney

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Taliesin McEnaney,  Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead


Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Brandon Burk, Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard of the Living Dead

Taylor Hanes

Best Actor in a Principal Role: Taylor Hanes, Red 

Best Sound Design:  Thomas Chrastka, Red by Poor Richard's Players

Red by Poor Richards Players

Best Director: Benjamin Loewy, Red


Best Production:  Red by Poor Richard's Players

Audience Choice Award:  Stones in His Pockets by the British National Theatre of America

Stones in His Pocket

Scene from Picnic

Best Lighting Design: Ginny Adams, Picnic by Las Vegas Little Theatre