JEFF AWARDS 2011 NON-EQUITY Awards
JEFF NON-EQUITY AWARDS PRESENTED FOR THE 2010 – 2011 SEASON
Redtwist’s “Man from Nebraska” and The Hypocrites’ “Cabaret”
Take Top Production Honors
Chicago, IL. At its 38th annual celebration of Chicago’s non-union theatre scene, the Jeff Awards honored 27 award recipients for excellence Monday evening at the Park West. The event, emceed by Circle Theatre’s Kevin Bellie for the second consecutive year, featured production numbers by the nominated musicals and presentation of awards, two of which were delivered by robots. The robots, created for Sideshow Theatre Company’s “Heddatron,” earned their creators an award for Robot Design and Engineering in the Artistic Specialization category, shared with Izumi Inaba, who received an award for makeup design for “Cats” at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James.
Top honors for outstanding play and musical went to Redtwist Theatre for Tracy Letts’ “Man from Nebraska” and The Hypocrites’ unique take on “Cabaret,” which featured actress Jessie Fisher as the traditionally male Emcee, garnering her the award for Principal Actress in a Musical. “Man from Nebraska’s” lead, Chuck Spencer, took home the honor for Principal Actor in a Play. The coveted Ensemble award went to “Shakespeare’s King Phycus” by The Strange Tree Group in association with The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.
In the Principal Actress in a Play category there was a tie between Caroline Neff, for Steep Theatre’s “The Brief History of Helen of Troy” (who was also nominated in the same category for “Port,” with Griffin Theatre Company) and Nicole Wiesner for her performance of a schizophrenic role in Trap Door Theatre’s “The First Ladies.” Principal Actor in a Musical honors went to Andrew Mueller as Huck Finn in Bohemian Theatre Ensemble’s “Big River.” Director of a Play also yielded a tie, with the awards going to James Palmer for Red Tape Theatre’s “The Love of the Nightingale” and Jimmy McDermott for Strange Tree’s “The Three Faces of Dr. Crippen,” which also earned a New Work award for playwright Emily Schwartz.
Lifeline Theatre continued its winning streak in the New Adaptation category with the award to Robert Kauzlaric for “Neverwhere.” In the Director of a Musical category Matt Hawkins was honored for “Cabaret, and Brenda Didier for Cats.” Brenda Didier added to her laurels for Choreography for “Cats” and Theo Ubique scored again for Music Direction with the award to Austin Cook for his work on “Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.”
Among the companies represented, The Hypocrites walked away with the most awards (6) – 5 for “Cabaret,” followed by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James with 5. Reflecting the growing depth and breadth of Chicago’s non-union theatre scene, the awards were presented to a larger number of companies than usual.
The gala evening was presented by the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee under the leadership of Glenn Z. Hering, Chair, and produced by Douglas Bradburd, Non-Equity Wing Chair. The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With 50 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre, it is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards, and honors. The Jeff Awards fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. Jeff members evaluate over 250 theatrical productions and hold two awards ceremonies annually. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards established the Non-Equity Wing in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre. The next Jeff Equity Awards Ceremony, honoring productions presented under union contracts, will be held on Monday, November 7, 2011, at Drury Lane Oakbrook in Oakbrook Terrace.
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COMPLETE LIST OF 2011 Non-Equity Jeff Award RECIPIENTS:
Note the “X” is Tom Williams’pick and the BOLD is the winner
PRODUCTION – PLAY
“A Delicate Balance” – Redtwist Theatre
“Lobby Hero” – Redtwist Theatre
“Stage Door” – Griffin Theatre Company
“The Love of the Nightingale” – Red Tape Theatre
“Man From Nebraska” – Redtwist Theatre X
“The Master and Margarita” – Strawdog Theatre Company
PRODUCTION – MUSICAL
“Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
“Boojum! Nonsense, Truth and Lewis Carroll” – Chicago DCA Theater, Caffeine Theatre, and Chicago Opera Vanguard
“Cabaret” – The Hypocrites
“Cats” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James X
“The Pirates of Penzance” – The Hypocrites
DIRECTOR – PLAY
Louis Contey – “The Master and Margarita” – Strawdog Theatre Company
Zeljko Djukic – “Baal” – TUTA Theatre Chicago X
Keira Fromm – “Lobby Hero” – Redtwist Theatre
Jimmy McDermott – “The Three Faces of Doctor Crippen” – The Strange Tree Group
James Palmer – “The Love of the Nightingale” – Red Tape Theatre
Robin Witt – “Stage Door” – Griffin Theatre Company
DIRECTOR – MUSICAL
Brenda Didier – “Cats” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James X
Sean Graney – “The Pirates of Penzance” – The Hypocrites
Matt Hawkins – “Cabaret” – The Hypocrites
Jimmy McDermott – “Boojum! Nonsense, Truth and Lewis Carroll” – Chicago DCA Theater, Caffeine Theatre, and Chicago Opera Vanguard
P. Marston Sullivan – “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
ENSEMBLE
“Boojum! Nonsense, Truth and Lewis Carroll” Chicago DCA Theater, Caffeine Theatre, and Chicago Opera Vanguard
“Cats” Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James Ubique X
“Shakespeare’s King Phycus” The Strange Tree Group i/a/ w The Lord
Chamberlain’s Men
“Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein” Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
“The Master and Margarita” Strawdog Theatre Company
“The Pirates of Penzance” The Hypocrites
“The Three Faces of Doctor Crippen” The Strange Tree Group
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Luke Hamilton (Sherlock Holmes) – “Sherlock Holmes, The Final Adventure Idle Muse Theatre Company
Andrew Jessop (Jeff) – “Lobby Hero” – Redtwist Theatre
Chuck Spencer (Ken Carpenter) – “Man from Nebraska” – Redtwist Theatre X
D’wayne Taylor (Mr. Zero) – “Brutal Imagination” – Caffeine Theatre
Ian Westerfer (Baal) – “Baal” – TUTA Theatre Chicago
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Alex Balestrieri (Dodgson / New Baker) – “Boojum! Nonsense, Truth and Lewis Carroll” – Chicago DCA Theater, Caffeine Theatre, and Chicago Opera Vanguard
Andrew Mueller (Huckleberry Finn) – “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble X
Benjamin Sprunger (Robert) – “Company” – Griffin Theatre Company
Jeremy Trager (Lewis Carroll) “Boojum! Nonsense, Truth and Lewis Carroll” Chicago DCA Theater, Caffeine Theatre, and Chicago Opera Vanguard
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Brenda Barrie (Eva/Brenda) – “Memory” BackStage Theatre Company
Mechelle Moe (Terry Randall) – “Stage Door” – Griffin Theatre Company X
Caroline Neff (Charlotte) – “A Brief History of Helen of Troy” Steep Theatre Company
Caroline Neff (Rachel) – “Port” – Griffin Theatre Company
Joy Thorbjornsen- Coates (Fonsia Dorsey) – “The Gin Game” – Lincoln Square Theatre
Nicole Wiesner (Marie) – “The First Ladies” – Trap Door Theatre
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Jessie Fisher (The Emcee) – “Cabaret” – The Hypocrites
Jennifer T. Grubb (Jacky Samson) – “Oh, Boy!” – City Lit Theater Company X
Anita Hoffman (Miss Mona Stangley) – “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” – Circle Theatre
Lindsay Leopold (Sally Bowles) – “Cabaret” – The Hypocrites
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Brian Parry (John) – “Shining City” – Redtwist Theatre
Vance Smith (Lenny) – “The Homecoming” Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company
Jon Steinhagen (Big Daddy) – “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” – Raven Theatre X
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Courtney Crouse (Tom Sawyer) – “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Noah Sullivan (Sheriff Earl Dodd) – “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” – Circle Theatre X
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTNG ROLE – PLAY
Nora Fiffer (Maggie) – “After the Fall” – Eclipse Theatre Company
Lorraine Freund (Mother Superior) – “Agnes of God” – Hubris Productions
Darci Nalepa (Steph) – “reasons to be pretty” – Profiles Theatre
Sarah Pavlak (Agnes) – “Agnes of God” – Hubris Productions X
Amanda Powell (Rosemary) – “Brainpeople” – UrbanTheater Company
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL OR REVUE
Kate Harris (Fräulein Schneider) – “Cabaret” – The Hypocrites
Patti Roeder (Penelope Budd) – “Oh, Boy!” – City Lit Theater Company
Bethany Thomas – “Sweet and Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James X
Dana Tretta (Marta) – “Company” – Griffin Theatre Company
NEW WORK
Emily Schwartz – “The Three Faces of Doctor Crippen” – The Strange Tree Group
Robert Tenges – “People We Know” – the side project
Tom Willmorth – “Shakespeare’s King Phycus” – The Strange Tree Group i/a/w The Lord Chamberlain’s Men X
NEW ADAPTATION
Christina Calvit – “Wuthering Heights” – Lifeline Theatre X
Robert Kauzlaric – “Neverwhere” – Lifeline Theatre
Carla Stillwell – “Tad in 5th City” – MPAACT
CHOREOGRAPHY
Kevin Bellie – “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”- Circle Theatre
Brenda Didier – “Cats” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James X
Marissa Mortiz – “Cabaret” – The Hypocrites
Myah Shein – “The Love of the Nightingale” – Red Tape Theatre
ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC
Mikhail Fiksel – “Neverwhere” – Lifeline Theatre
Chris Gingrich, Henry Riggs, Thea Lux, and Tara Sissom – “That Sordid Little Story” – The New Colony
Josh Schmidt – “Baal” – TUTA Theatre Chicago X
MUSIC DIRECTION
Steve Carson – “Sweet and Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Austin Cook – “Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James X
Nicholas Davio – “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Ethan Deppe – “Cats” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Andrea Velis Simon & Myron Silberstein – “Boojum! Nonsense, Truth and Lewis Carroll” – Chicago DCA Theater, Caffeine Theatre, and Chicago Opera Vanguard
SCENIC DESIGN
William Anderson – “Dead Letter Office” – Dog & Pony Theatre Company i/a/w Chicago DCA Theater X
Tom Burch – “No Exit” – The Hypocrites
Alan Donahue – “Neverwhere” – Lifeline Theatre
Bob Knuth – “The Philadelphia Story” – Circle Theatre
Ray Toler – “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” – Raven Theatre
LIGHTING DESIGN
Kevin D. Gawley – “Neverwhere” – Lifeline Theatre
Jared Moore – “No Exit” – The Hypocrites
Jared Moore – “The Pirates of Penzance” -The Hypocrites
Keith Parham – “Baal” – TUTA Theatre Chicago X
Eric Van Tassell – “The Ghost Sonata” – Oracle Productions
COSTUME DESIGN
Matt Guthier – “Cats” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James X
Branimira Ivanova – “Wuthering Heights” – Lifeline Theatre
Elizabeth Powell Wislar – “Neverwhere” – Lifeline Theatre
Alison Siple – “Cabaret” – The Hypocrites
SOUND DESIGN
Katherine M. Chavez – “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” – Raven Theatre
Mikhail Fiksel – “Neverwhere” – Lifeline Theatre X
Kevin O’Donnell – “No Exit” – The Hypocrites
Miles Polaski – “The Love of the Nightingale” – Red Tape Theatre
Stephen Ptacek – “Dead Letter Office” – Dog & Pony Theatre Company i/a/w Chicago DCA Theater
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
Glen Aduikas, Rick Buesing, Mike Fletcher, Salvador Garcia, Stuart Hecht, David Hyman,Terry Jackson, Don Kerste, Bruce Phillips, Al Schilling, Lisi Stoessel,Eddy Wright – Robot Design & Engineering – “Heddatron” – Sideshow Theatre Company
Aly Renee Amidei – Hair & Makeup Design – “The Master and Margarita” – Strawdog Theatre Company
Michael Buoninconto – Wig Design – “Cats” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James X
Izumi Inaba – Makeup Design – “Cats” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Kimberly G. Morris – Puppet Design – “Neverwhere” – Lifeline Theatre
Brett Schneider – Magic Design – “The Master and Margarita” – Strawdog Theatre Company
Claire Yearman – Fight Choreography – “The Love of the Nightingale” – Red Tape Theatre
STATISTICS
In the Season ended March 31, 2011, the Jeff Awards Committee judged the opening nights of 146 non-Equity productions from 62 producing organizations. Of these, 62 productions were “Recommended” by the opening night judges and became eligible for nominations in all categories..
Total Nominations for 2010 – 2011 Season – 106
Total Categories – 23
Total Number of Companies receiving nominations – 32
Total Number of Awards – 28 (including 4 ties and 1 double Award in a non-competitive category)
MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS – COMPANIES
The Hypocrites – 6
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James – 5
Lifeline Theatre – 3
Redtwist Theatre – 3
The Strange Tree Group – 3 (one i/a/w The Lord Chamberlain’s Men)
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble – 2
MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS – PRODUCTIONS
“Cabaret” – 5
“Cats” – 4
“Neverwhere” – 3
“Big River” – 2
“Man from Nebraska” – 2
MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS – INDIVIDUALS
Brenda Didier – 2