After careful consideration, the Arts For Life board of directors has decided to cancel the in-person Trivia Night event set for Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Kirkwood Community Center, and will instead host a Virtual Trivia Night via Zoom that evening.
The virtual event will still feature 10 rounds of general knowledge trivia questions and monetary prize awards for the first and second place teams.
Nominations for the annual Best Performance Awards, which honors excellence in community musical theater, and the Theatre Mask Awards, which recognizes outstanding dramatic and comedic plays, will be announced throughout the night.
People who want to register for the virtual event or have already registered should contact Kim Klick at: afltrg@artsforlife.org. Table registration is $160/8 players per team and individual registration is $20 per person. Mulligans and 50/50 raffle tickets are also available.
You can register and pay at: https://arts-for-life-2.square.site/
Questions start at 7 p.m., but the Zoom link opens at 6:30 p.m. All teams will be in the same room at the beginning of each round. Emcee Kimmie Kidd-Booker, with assist from Colin Dowd, will present each category and questions before sending each team to their breakout room.
You will then have a set amount of time to collaborate on your answers and submit via a Google document. When time is up, all teams will return to the “main” room where the answers will be displayed.
“We will still celebrate theater!” said AFL President Mary McCreight. “Since teams are playing via Zoom this year, feel free to recruit team members from around the globe.”
McCreight said the board was concerned about the health and safety of the theater community as the St. Louis-Metro East Metropolitan Region is experiencing a surge of the Omicron variant outbreak.
“There were just too many risks at this time during the ongoing COVID-19 -pandemic. We will continue to monitor data from local officials and health and safety experts in planning for our awards ceremonies — those details will be announced later,” McCreight said. “We look forward to celebrating on future dates.”
For the past 23 years, AFL has honored musical theater with the Best Performance Awards and introduced the Theatre Mask Awards to honor comedy and drama productions in 2015.
AFL hosted a virtual trivia event in 2021, and the Best Performance Awards were cancelled because the coronavirus public health crisis forced cancellation of shows, but the Theatre Mask Awards were held virtually, in a smaller capacity, for the productions that were able to be presented.
AFL held its BPAs and TMAs ceremonies virtually in 2020, honoring work in 2019.
This year’s BPA nominations take into consideration the musicals that were performed in 2020 before the pandemic shutdown began in mid-March and the productions that were mounted in 2021 after restrictions lessened.
Safety precautions have been a priority for performers and performances, and with mitigation efforts, including vaccines, COVID-19 tests, masks, and social distance seats are available, stage work has returned, and theaters are not dark, unless there is a virus outbreak forcing cancellations and postponements.
“While we did about half the usual number of shows in 2021, it did not diminish Arts for Life’s vision for a community recognition program,” “These award events recognize the incredible talent we have in St. Louis community theater and honor the passion and dedication of those who build this amazing and unique theatrical community,” McCreight said.
Master of Ceremonies Kimmie Kidd-Booker is a local professional actress who has won two AFL Best Performance Awards for Best Featured Actress in “The Wiz” at Hawthorne Players in 2014 and as Estonia Dulworth in “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in 2020.
She was nominated as Best Actress in a Featured Role as Sister Mary Hubert in “Nunsense” at Hawthorne Players in 2015 and as The Witch in “Into the Woods” at Curtain’s Up Theater in 2018. She currently serves on the AFL board of directors.
Event Sponsorships are available at $50. Sponsorship includes group/company name and logo displayed at the beginning and end of event as a sponsor, then group/company name and logo displayed on our social media sites as a sponsor.
Arts For Life is a local not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”
AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theater, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.
For more information, visit the website, www.artsforlife.org, or email: afltrg@artsforlife.org
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
By Lynn Venhaus We have been enriched by Steve Woolf as a titan in regional theater, and his loss will be deeply felt.
For 33 years, he guided The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, until his retirement in 2019. He died Monday at age 75.
I had the opportunity to interview and talk with him on several occasions, and I am very grateful to have been in his orbit for a bit. It was an honor. His immense love of theater was obvious from the moment you encountered him – his eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas.
I have been reviewing plays at The Repertory Theatre since 2005. Their “Take Me Out” I consider to be the gold standard for plays in St. Louis. As a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle in 2012, I have presented him with a lion’s share of awards. Every year, from 2013-2019, he was always gracious and sincere, no matter how many trips he took to the stage.
During the past decade, The Rep has earned more than 100 awards. They have led the way in innovation and excellence – in acting, direction, set design, lighting design, sound and much more.
As an Arts For Life board member, I helped facilitate his Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, for his “vision, passion and excellence,” and he was so genuine about the honor. But that’s what he did — lived an authentic life. He never forgot that he was a kid from Milwaukee living out his dream.
And so, he could inspire — he talked about the magic of live theater, being in a dark room, sharing a special experience with other people that changes us and connects us.
His work spoke for itself: He directed “Red,” one of my favorites, and he brought the complex “Oslo” to the stage as one of his final — and most intense — works. He committed to making it relatable, no easy task with a large sprawling cast.
During rehearsals for the stellar “All the Way” in 2015 (I was there to interview Brian Dykstra, playing LBJ, and Woolf, who was directing — https://www.bnd.com/living/magazine/article34672659.html), he told me about his experience seeing “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” in London.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at The Rep
He had been gobsmacked. He didn’t think The Rep could do it — very technical show, intricate — but the wheels were turning. He was so excited about trying to bring it to The Rep. “I think I’ve found a way we can do it,” he said to me later. (And it would win the Theatre Circle’s Outstanding Production, which opened the 2017-2018 season, and Best Director, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, in 2018.)
The enthusiasm he had for the process and the collaboration of “putting it all together” were so obvious. I cherish a brief interchange I had with him — in a stairwell at The Rep — about “The Humans,” which was a thought-provoker, had many layers. I had made an observation, and he wanted to hear more of my thoughts. It had received a mixed reaction — but he was firm in his fervor. He was just so darn insightful.
During an interview before the 50th season, which opened with “Follies,” he recalled the first time he saw the show as a young man studying theater. We geeked out about our mutual love of Stephen Sondheim. “Follies” was brilliant, but his other major production at The Rep, in 2012, the magnificent “Sunday in the Park with George,” was breathtaking. Truly memorable.
Every year, he would go to New York to soak up multiple theater productions. And hearing about his experiences was always a treat. During intermission of yet another “Mamma Mia!” at the Fox, I went over to chat with Joe Pollack, and Steve Woolf also came over to talk to Joe, and he regaled us with tales from his recent Broadway adventures. How fortunate to hear his vision and just how he radiated joy about theater (I mean, he was at “Mamma Mia!”).
One of my favorite Steve Woolf remembrances was, in fact, at Joe Pollack’s memorial service on March 17, 2012, at The Rep, of course. His widow, Ann Lemons Pollack, had arranged for five main speakers — all from a different facet of Joe’s life/illustrious career. Steve was the representative for theater, only fitting. He said as a critic, Joe just wanted the theater groups to “get it right.” Oh, yes, what a perfect summation.
And yes, Steve, you “got it right” more often than not. You will be missed, for your wit, your wisdom, your humanity, your desire for theater to spark conversations — and how you appreciated St. Louis audiences.
May God rest your soul. Your memory is already a blessing to me. And I hope you and Joe can continue to have some great conversations.
Mark Bernstein, retired managing director at The Rep, summed it up perfectly in a statement: “Steve always had his finger on the pulse of the St. Louis community, programming plays that resonated in the here and now, and showcasing the work of outstanding directors, designers and actors. St. Louis audiences responded by filling the seats, night after night, week after week, year after year.”
Standing O, Steve!
”Here is an article I wrote for the Webster-Kirkwood Times when he was getting multiple awards before retiring:
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
The local not-for-profit arts organization, Arts For Life, has announced that it will return to in-person judging of community theater productions beginning July 1.
With the goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference,” AFL is passionate about the healing power of the performing arts, and is proud to salute, support, and serve the theater groups in the St. Louis, MO-IL Metro East region.
AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are part of it.
Since 1999, the annual Best Performance Awards has celebrated achievements in musical theater and youth productions. In 2015, the Theatre Mask Awards were started to honor outstanding work in plays – in both dramas and comedies.
About 25 community theater organizations are eligible to participate in AFL.
Additionally, the group is seeking volunteer judges to evaluate shows and performers for their annual awards recognizing excellence in the region. Volunteers are the “eyes and ears” of AFL, ambassadors in the community. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 7.
Judges are required to attend a meeting before they are assigned shows to score. You must be 18 years old or older and choose either musicals or plays. If interested, fill out the form here for the Theater Recognition Guild, either the TMAs or BPAs: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021trgjudgeapp
Mandatory judges’ training meetings will be on the Zoom teleconference platform, offered at three different dates and times: Wednesday, June 23, and Sunday, June 27, both at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, June 26, at 1 p.m. The TRG chairmen will go over AFL’s policies and procedures, giving the judges the tools to be fair and conscientious.
For not-for-profit registered theater groups who want their shows to be eligible for accolades, they must fill out the paperwork eight weeks prior to opening night. Those forms are located here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021participationforms
“Welcome back! AFL is thrilled to see our theatre groups getting ready to start putting on shows again. We are recruiting judges, scheduling training and looking forward to getting back to enjoying theatre in the St. Louis-Metro East areas,” said AFL President Mary McCreight.
“Thank you to everyone who stayed the course and who are still excited to entertain. We are ready and hope you are too. See you soon!” McCreight said.
AFL had suspended judging activities beginning in April 2020 because of the coronavirus public health emergency in Illinois and Missouri. The board of directors adopted measures to foster the protection of those who work and play in community theater until it would be safe to return.
As the CDC and local officials have recently eased restrictions and more Americans are vaccinated, the AFL board of directors, at their May 15 meeting, agreed to move forward and resume normal operations on July 1.
In mid-March 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic shutdown included closing performance venues, limiting capacity at gatherings, and protocols for social distancing and face coverings.
AFL had transitioned to virtual streamed formats for both their TMA and BPA shows honoring productions in 2019 last summer and for the recent TMAs recognizing shows produced in early 2020 and one in the fall.
The BPAs were cancelled for 2021. and the few musicals that were performed in early 2020 will be considered for the 2022 awards, along with those performed from July through December in 2021.
AFL board members have continued their focus on encouraging and promoting community theater in the region and supporting charitable programs. They will award two annual youth scholarships in June.
In recent years, AFL has initiated an Adopt-a-Student mentoring program and presented an online series on diversity and inclusion last fall.
“I am incredibly grateful to all of our constituencies – the board, judges, participating groups, audience members and donors – for their commitment to AFL and their engagement and unwavering support of our local theatre community during these uncertain times,” McCreight said.
AFL was founded in 1994 by Lucinda Guyrci dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the under-served and the community.
For more information, contact AFL TRG Secretary Kim Klick at afltrg@artsforlife.org or visit the website, www.artsforlife.org
Be sure to subscribe/like to our social media: https://www.facebook.com/artsforlifestlouis, https://twitter.com/arts_for_life and YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCSL5RPbHTrhbc0mbHcWnA
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
Clayton Community Theatre’s production of the classic romantic comedy “The Philadelphia Story” swept the 2021 Theatre Mask Awards, winning seven out of its eight nominations.
For the second year in a row, a virtual ceremony took place. On April 3, the 17-minute pre-recorded announcement honored excellence in community theater productions of comedies and dramas, as the TMAs have done since 2015.
Only for 2020, Arts For Life scaled back the format to reflect the number of eligible plays performed before the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. Awards were presented in 10 non-musical play categories instead of the usual 18.
TMA Steering Committee co-directors Melissa Boyer and Tim Naegelin announced the winners. The presentation is available on Arts For Life’s YouTube channel:
Clayton Community Theatre, last year’s big winner in both comedy and drama with “Biloxi Blues” and “A Soldier’s Play,” added to their overall total of 28 awards and 113 nominations. They won for Play, Director Heather Sartin, Leading Actress Kelsey McCroskey, Supporting Actress Caitlin Souers, Costume Designer Julie Smailys, Lighting Designer Nathan Schroeder and Set Designers Andrew Cary, Zac Cary and Heather Sartin.
They staged “The Philadelphia Story” in March 2020. The 1939 play by Philip Barry deals with family dynamics and class prejudice at the affluent Lord estate, where everyone has gathered for socialite Tracy Lord’s second wedding, but romantic entanglements ensue and she must choose between three men – her fiancé, ex-husband and reporter covering the society event.
The winning actresses, McCroskey and Souers played Tracy Lord and her younger sister Dinah respectively. This is Schroeder’s third award for lighting design, winning for CCT’s “Macbeth” in 2015 and “A Soldier’s Play” last year.
Act Two Theatre’s production of the comedy “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” won two – for Best Supporting Actor Todd Micali and Best Ensemble. The St. Peters-based group had led this year’s awards with nine nominations.
They staged the 2004 farce by Michael Parker in February 2020. It is about a California billionaire who has bequeathed all of his assets to his only daughter, Constance – except the $22 million yacht he wanted Josephine to have, a $25 million art collection left to Renee, and some priceless antique automobiles willed to Marjorie. She arrives at her father’s mansion with her lawyer to find out who these women are and discovers the butler seems to hold the key.
Micali, playing the bumbling detective Davis, has won in the supporting actor category before –as Felix Ungar, in “The Odd Couple” in 2016, and a Best Performance Award for Comedic Actor in multiple roles in “Spamalot” in 2014.
Alton Little Theater won one for Leading Actor, Shea Maples, in “Inherit the Wind.” He played the character Matthew Harrison Brady, which is based on attorney William Jennings Bryan, in the drama that is a fictional account of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trail.
Arts For Life announced the TMA nominations on March 12, during the nonprofit organization’s first-ever virtual trivia night.
“The TMAs were able to do eight shows last year and so the show must go on. Several categories were combined to allow for more nominees,” said AFL President Mary McCreight.
Naegelin explained the reasoning behind 2021’s awards ceremony.
“2020 was a difficult year. Most theatre was cancelled after March, but the TMA Steering Committee and the AFL Board of Directors believed the Theatre Recognition Guild had reviewed enough shows to make a successful TMA event. With only eight shows eligible, some categories were combined so that we did not lose the integrity of our awards and nominations. To that end, there was not a division of drama and comedy categories for this year,” Naegelin said.
During 2020, beginning in mid-March, because of the public health emergency in Illinois and Missouri. performance venues were closed, gatherings limited to a percentage of capacity and safety protocols in place, including social distancing and face coverings to lessen community spread.
Because of the coronavirus crisis, AFL adopted measures to foster the protection of those who work and play in metropolitan St. Louis-southwest Illinois community theater.
“We will continue our charitable mission of service and recognition once it is safe to do so,” McCreight said.
The Philadelphia Story
The 2020 TMA winners are:
BEST PRODUCTION “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre
BEST DIRECTOR Heather Sartin, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre
BEST LEADING ACTOR Shea Maples, “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theater
BEST LEADING ACTRESS Kelsey McCroskey, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theater
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Todd Micali, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theater
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Caitlin Souers, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theater
BEST COSTUME DESIGN Julie Smailys, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN Nathan Schroeder, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre
BEST SET DESIGN Andrew Cary, Zac Cary and Heather Sartin, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre
BEST ENSEMBLE Act Two Theatre, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?”
Winners can record an acceptance speech, no more than two minutes in length, and send it by April 9 to tmavideo2021@gmail.com
AFL will upload the recording to its YouTube channel.
Who’s in Bed with the Butler? cast
AFL Adjusts Events in 2020-2021/Mission Remains the Same
Last year, AFL transitioned to streamed formats for both their TMA and Best Performance Awards (musical theater and youth productions) shows honoring productions in 2019.
The BPAs have been cancelled in 2021, and the few musicals that were performed in early 2020 will be considered for the 2022 awards. In April 2020, the AFL president suspended all public activities of the AFL organization, and then the board extended suspension of the Theatre Recognition Guild judging activities, for the BPA branch (musicals), through July 1, 2021.
“All is well with AFL. We will survive and look forward to meeting again in July. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I thank all theater groups who are working to create a safe and pleasing future,” McCreight said.
McCreight emphasized that the AFL board will continue to base their decisions upon the best information currently available and will continue to share information promptly and transparently.
Naegelin is hopeful that more productions will be able to be mounted in 2021.
“I love the work that AFL/TMA does in supporting and promoting community theatre. From helping provide a sense of community, to providing scholarships, and mentoring at risk students in local theatre programs, AFL/TMA provides a full range of support to the St. Louis metro area. I’m excited that we can continue that, even in our limited way, in 2021, he said.
AFL was founded in 1994 by Lucinda Guyrci as a local non-profit organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the under-served and the community. The BPAs have honored musical theater since 1999 and the TMAs have honored plays since 2015.
To see a complete list of the nominees and awards history, visit the website: www.artsforlife.org
For more information, contact AFL TRG Secretary Kim Klick at afltrg@artsforlife.org
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
AFL’s 2021 Theatre Mask Awards, honoring excellence in community theatre productions of plays during 2020, will be pre-recorded and premiere as a virtual ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, on AFL’s YouTube Channel. Act Two Theatre’s production of the farce “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” leads this year’s Theatre Mask Awards nominations with nine. Alton Little Theater, with its two productions of “Inherit the Wind” and “The Miracle Worker,” earned 12 nominations in total – six for each.
Two classic comedies by Clayton Community Theatre, “The Philadelphia Story,” and Monroe Actors Stage Company, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” both received eight nominations apiece.
Arts For Life announced the TMA nominations on March 12, during the nonprofit organization’s first-ever virtual trivia night.
Awards in nine non-musical play categories will be announced. The format has been scaled back to reflect the number of eligible plays.
Normally, 11 community theater companies participate in the TMAs, with awards in 18 categories, but last year’s shutdown forced show cancellations.
“The TMAs were able to do eight shows last year and so the show must go on. Several categories were combined to allow for more nominees,” said AFL President Mary McCreight.
Tim Naegelin, co-chair of the TMA Steering Committee, explained the reasoning behind 2021’s awards ceremony.
“2020 was a difficult year. Most theatre was cancelled after March, but the TMA Steering Committee and the AFL Board of Directors believed the Theatre Recognition Guild had reviewed enough shows to make a successful TMA event. With only eight shows eligible, some categories have been combined so that we do not lose the integrity of our awards and nominations. To that end, there will not be a division of drama and comedy categories for this year,” Naegelin said.
During 2020, beginning in mid-March, a shutdown because of the global COVID-19 pandemic happened. Because of the public health emergency in Illinois and Missouri. performance venues were closed, gatherings limited to a percentage of capacity and safety protocols in place, including social distancing and face coverings to lessen community spread.
Because of the coronavirus crisis, AFL adopted measures to foster the protection of those who work and play in metropolitan St. Louis-southwest Illinois community theater. “We will continue our charitable mission of service and recognition once it is safe to do so,” McCreight said.
TMA Eligible Shows For this year’s TMA awards, Act Two Theater in St. Peters garnered nine nominations – for production, actress, supporting actor and actress, director, costume design and lighting design, and as the only nominee for Best Ensemble, has won that award already.
They staged the 2004 farce by Michael Parker in February 2020. It is about a California billionaire who has bequeathed all of his assets to his only daughter, Constance – except the $22 million yacht he wanted Josephine to have, a $25 million art collection left to Renee, and some priceless antique automobiles willed to Marjorie. She arrives at her father’s mansion with her lawyer to find out who these women are and discovers the butler seems to hold the key.
Act Two, with 43 nominations since 2016, swept the 2017 TMAs, with “Drop Dead” winning Best Comedy and “The Boys Next Door” winning Best Drama.
Over the years, Clayton Community Theatre has received 113 nominations, sweeping last year’s TMAs with “A Soldier’s Play” and “Biloxi Blues” as winners in drama and comedy.
They staged “The Philadelphia Story” in March 2020, the classic romantic comedy by Philip Barry about privileged Tracy Lord, who is divorced from CK Dexter Haven, and engaged to a successful young snob. A society paper sends a reporter to cover the wedding arrangements, and she finds herself interested. Romantic entanglements ensue. It has eight nominations – for production, director, actress, supporting actress (2), lighting, costume and set designs.
“The Solid Gold Cadillac,” the 1954 play by George S. Kaufman and Howard Teichmann, has a little old lady beat wicked corporate shareholders at their own game. MASC staged it in February 2020 and has received eight nominations – for director, actor, actress, supporting actor and actress, costume, set and lighting designs.
The Alton Little Theater has a total of 12 nominations, with six for “Inherit the Wind” – production, director, actor, supporting actor and set design, which they staged last January and February, and six for “The Miracle Worker” – production, director, actress (2), costumes and set design, which they produced last October. Kevin Frakes is a three-time nominee for both his set designs and directing “The Miracle Worker.” “Inherit the Wind” is the fictional account of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson tells the story of
Helen Keller, blind and deaf after childhood fever, and her governess and teacher, Annie Sullivan.
Looking Glass Playhouse received four nominations – for production, actor, supporting actor and set design for “It’s Only a Play,” a comedy by Terence McNally about an opening night after-party where a producer, playwright, director, actors and their friends eagerly wait for the reviews. They presented it in March 2020.
Since 2015, Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., has received 83 nominations over the years, Alton Little Theatre over 80 nominations, and Looking Glass Players in Lebanon, Ill., 43 nominations.
The 2020 TMA nominations include:
BEST PRODUCTION “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theater “It’s Only a Play,” Looking Glass Theatre “The Miracle Worker,” Alton Little Theater “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theatre
BEST DIRECTOR Lee Cox, “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theater Kevin Frakes, “The Miracle Worker,” Alton Little Theater Paul James, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theatre Heather Sartin, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre Rebecca Zimmermann, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company
BEST ACTOR Howard S Bell, “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theater Shea Maples, “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theater Steve Shininger, “It’s Only a Play,” Looking Glass Playhouse David Zimmerman, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company
BEST ACTRESS Kelsey McCroskey, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theater Marisa Puller, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theatre Emily Schneider, “The Miracle Worker,” Alton Little Theater Maria Wilken, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company Kya Wonders, “The Miracle Worker,” Alton Little Theater
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Matt Dossett, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company Brad Kinzel, “It’s Only a Play,” Looking Glass Playhouse Brant McCance, “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theater Todd Micali, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theater
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Linda Daly, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theatre Jenifer Elias, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company Monica Lee, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theater Trish Nelke, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?”, Act Two Theatre Caitlin Souers, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theater
BEST COSTUME DESIGN Lee Cox, “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theatre Jean Heckmann, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theatre Julie Smailys, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre Rebecca Zimmerman, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN Nathan Schroeder, “The Philadelphia Story,” Clayton Community Theatre Todd Wilken, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company
BEST SET DESIGN Andrew Cary, Zac Cary and Heather Sartin, “The Philadelphia Story, Clayton Community Theatre Kevin Frakes, “The Miracle Worker,” Alton Little Theater Kevin Frakes, “Inherit the Wind,” Alton Little Theater Chris Resimius, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” Act Two Theatre Brad Sanker, “It’s Only a Play,” Looking Glass Playhouse Todd Wilken, “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” Monroe Actors Stage Company
BEST ENSEMBLE Act Two Theatre, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” AFL Adjusts Events in 2020-2021/Mission Remains the Same Last year, AFL transitioned to streamed formats for both their TMA and Best Performance Awards (musical theater and youth productions) shows honoring productions in 2019.
The BPAs have been cancelled in 2021, and the few musicals that were performed in early 2020 will be considered for the 2022 awards. In April 2020, the AFL president suspended all public activities of the AFL organization, and then the board extended suspension of the Theatre Recognition Guild judging activities, for the BPA branch (musicals), through July 1, 2021.
“Arts for Life is plugging along with theater-starved actors for a new day! On Friday, AFL proceeded to produce our first ever Virtual Trivia Night to announce the Theatre
Mask Awards (TMAs) nominations. It was well-attended and a lot of fun,” McCreight said.
“With the Best Performance Awards cancelled this year due to not being able to have shows in 2020, heads were down. But old habits don't die. The Trivia Night’s audio and visual musical categories brought us back to life,” she said.
“All is well with AFL. We will survive and look forward to meeting again in July. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I thank all theater groups who are working to create a safe and pleasing future,” McCreight said.
McCreight emphasized that the AFL board will continue to base their decisions upon the best information currently available and will continue to share information promptly and transparently.
Naegelin is hopeful that more productions will be able to be mounted in 2021.
“I love the work that AFL/TMA does in supporting and promoting community theatre. From helping provide a sense of community, to providing scholarships, and mentoring at risk students in local theatre programs, AFL/TMA provides a full range of support to the St. Louis metro area. I'm excited that we can continue that, even in our limited way, in 2021, he said.
Co-chair Melissa Boyer was optimistic as well.
“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the TMAs. I’m excited to co-chair this committee and look forward to finding ways to grow the TMAs and find opportunities for people to be involved with this wonderful, dedicated group. We are all looking forward to theatres being able to safely open again and welcoming new members to the TMA Theatre Recognition Guild,” Boyer said.
AFL was founded in 1994 by Lucinda Guyrci as a local non-profit organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the under-served and the community. The BPAs have honored musical theater since 1999 and the TMAs have honored plays since 2015.
“We hope that you and your loved ones have stayed safe during this difficult time,” McCreight said. “Because of your commitment to our community and belief in our mission, my optimism is not diminished about AFL being able to move forward once this unprecedented time passes.”
Besides co-chairs Boyer and Naegelin, the TMA Steering Committee officers are Laurie Blanner, recorder; Linda Daly, marketing facilitator; and Keaton Treece, Theatre Recognition Guild director.
To see a complete list of the nominees and awards history, visit the website: www.artsforlife.org
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
Article originally appeared in Arts For Life’s Feb. 18 newsletter. Article written by Kim Klick and Lynn Venhaus
After working as a professional actor and singer for more than 30 years in Las Vegas, including performing opera at the Venetian Hotel on the Strip, Kimmie decided to move back to her hometown.
To leave her comfort zone and start over at 45 years old was daunting.
“More than a few people thought I must have been crazy!” she said.
But she knew it was time for a change and she did have support.
She was hired to work at Nordstrom Department Stores and found an apartment in Valley Park.
“I thought I’d be satisfied with all of that, but I wasn’t. Frankly, I was quite miserable. I was lonely, broke and terribly homesick! Most of all, I missed performing.”
However, things slowly fell into place. She not only found her way into the St. Louis theatre scene but reconnected with childhood friends, settled down here and married Gregg Booker. They grew up in the same neighborhood, and found each other on Facebook.
She started researching St. Louis theater companies, sending out letters and headshots, hoping to be acknowledged, but no response.
One day in 2012, she came across an audition for an upcoming production of August Wilson’s “Fences” at Hawthorne Players.
“I hadn’t even heard of August Wilson! Can you believe that? Someone like me, who has done theatre her entire life, had not heard of August Wilson?”
She showed up, prepared but “terrified.”
“A little-known fact about me is that I had never done a ‘straight play’ before! I had always done musical theatre. So, to put myself in a position where I had to just ACT, well, it was unchartered territory for me, to say the least!”
She was offered the part of Rose, the long-suffering wife who is married to the lead character, Troy.
Kimmie Kidd-Booker in “Fences” at the Hawthorne Players. Photo by Larry Marsh
“It’s one of the most important, historical, emotional, heartfelt roles to exist in American Theatre. I thought, ‘What the hell did I get myself into?’” she said. She did not need to fret.
“This was one of the best and most fulfilling theater experiences of my career,” she said.
For the record, August Wilson was not only an African American playwright, but also was an amazingly talented award-winning playwright who died too soon at the age of 60, Kidd-Booker explained.
“Fences” is part of Wilson’s celebrated “Pittsburgh Cycle,” sometimes called “The Century Cycle,” in which he wrote 10 plays, each set in a certain decade of the 20th century.
Set in the 1957, it is the sixth play of the cycle, premiered in 1985, and like the others, explores the evolving African American experience and among other themes, examines race relations.
Troy is a Negro Baseball League player who now works as a garbageman – but can’t be a driver (yet). His bitterness is apparent and affects his family – wife Rose and sons Lyons and Cory, and disabled brother Gabriel.
“Fences” won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. “I am honored and privileged to say I performed in an August Wilson play! Being in an August Wilson play was both thrilling and terrifying. The context is historic and genuine and dramatic. His words are thoughtful and compelling and emotional,” she said.
While “Fences” is her only August Wilson play to date, she said she is optimistic that moving forward, there will be more opportunities to educate, perform, explore and share the African American experience with everyone.
“Black History Month is just a drop in the bucket. But it is certainly a start. My hope moving forward is that we can continue to gain an understanding of each other and continue a dialogue and put fears to rest. We have many differences, but we must continue to be reminded that we are more alike than we’d like to think,” Kimmie said.
Before she debuted in “Fences,” after a year here, she was considering returning to Las Vegas.
But once she started rehearsals with the cast and crew, then bonding with everyone, she decided to stay.
“My love for theatre kept me here in St. Louis. As I began to meet other theatre people and make more and more theatre connections, I knew that this is where I belonged. These are my People!” she said.
As Eliza Haycraft in the original musical “Madam”
Kimmie recently became part of the AFL Board of Directors. She has won two Best Performance Awards for Best Featured Actress as Glinda in “The Wiz” at Hawthorne Players in 2014 and as Estonia Dulworth in “Nice Work If You Can Get It” at the Kirkwood Theatre Guild in 2019.
She was nominated as Best Actress in a Featured Role as Sister Mary Hubert in “Nunsense” at Hawthorne Players in 2015 and as The Witch in “Into the Woods” at Curtain’s Up Theater in 2018.
Among her roles in regional professional theater, she played Tom Robinson’s wife in “To Kill a Mockingbird” at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, as Lady Bird in Stray Dog Theatre’s “Spellbound: A Musical Fable”and in the ensemble of “Sweeney Todd,” as “Aunt Missy” in The Black Rep’s “Purlie” and as Evangeline Harcourt in “Anything Goes” at New Line Theatre. In January 2020, she starred as brothel owner and philanthropist Eliza Haycraft in the original musical, “Madam.”
About August Wilson
August Wilson
Wilson was born Frederick August Kittel in Pittsburgh, Penn., on April 27, 1945. His mother, Daisy Wilson, was of African American heritage. His father, Frederick Kittel, was a German immigrant.
As a child, Kittel attended St. Richard’s Parochial School. When his parents divorced, he, his mother and his siblings moved from the poor Bedford Avenue area of Pittsburgh to the mostly white neighborhood of Oakland. After facing the relentless bigotry of his classmates at Central Catholic High School, he transferred to Connelly Vocational High School, and later to Gladstone High School.
When he was 15 years old, Wilson pursued an independent education at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where he would earn his high school diploma.
Following his father’s death in 1965, a 20-year-old Wilson adopted the pen name “August Wilson” — reportedly an homage to his mother — and declared himself a poet. In 1968, Wilson and a friend, Rob Penny, co-founded the Black Horizon Theater.
Wilson remained primarily focused on making it as a poet — largely to no avail — until moving to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1978.
Wilson wrote his first notable play in 1979,” Jitney,” for which he earned a fellowship at the Minneapolis Playwright Center.
The following year, his new play, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” was accepted at the Eugene O’Neill Playwright’s Conference. The year 1982 was particularly fruitful for Wilson, as it marked his introduction to Lloyd Richards, who went on to direct Wilson’s first six Broadway plays.
“Joe Turner,” the second part of the cycle, opened on Broadway in 1988.He took home another Pulitzer Prize in 1990, this time for The Piano Lesson, following its Broadway premiere.
Wilson died of liver cancer on Oct. 2, 2005, in Seattle. His new play, “Radio Golf,” had opened in Los Angeles just a few months earlier.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
There’s no business like show business! Arts For Life is devoted to supporting community theater in these pandemic times and will host its annual Trivia Night – only with a few twists.
The event is set for Friday, March 12, with rounds beginning at 7 p.m. but ‘doors’ open at 6:30 p.m. Teams can have up to 8 players and the cost is $10 per person/$80 a team. Mulligans and 50-50 tickets are available separately.
During the evening, nominations for the sixth annual Theatre Mask Awards will be announced. A scaled-back format is planned for a virtual awards ceremony on April 3. The TMAs honor plays – both comedy and drama – produced by community theater companies in the St. Louis metropolitan area, including the metro-east and St Charles County.
The Best Performance Awards, which recognizes excellence in community musical theatre, have been cancelled for this year.
“We hope groups will come together from their homes to share in the camaraderie of the arts community and have a fun evening celebrating theater,” said AFL President Mary McCreight. “AFL plans to return to its regular activities once it is safe to do so during this public health crisis.”
Using the teleconferencing platform Zoom, the AFL Board of Directors is producing an evening of eight rounds of 10 all-theater questions.
Colin Dowd, who is on the AFL Board of Directors and has been a BPA winner and TMA nominee, will be the host.
Registration will close on March 10. When registering, the team needs to designate a team captain. Information updates will be sent to the team captain to pass along to their teammates.
Players are encouraged to wear cast T-shirts that evening. (Pajama pants optional!).
To register or for more information, visit the website, www.artsforlife.org
Any questions may be directed to AFL Secretary Kim Klick — email afltrg@artsforlife.org.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
By Lynn Venhaus Christ Memorial Productions’ presentation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “Oklahoma!” won eight Best Performance Awards for choreography, music direction, lighting, costumes, acting and Best Featured Dancer while Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s production of the George and Ira Gershwin 1920s musical-screwball comedy “Nice Work If You Can Get It” won seven, including Best Large Ensemble Musical Production, Best Director and five acting awards, from Arts For Life Sunday.
It was KTG’s sixth win for musical production since 2000. Both
shows had been nominated for 17 awards apiece. “A New Brain,” which was a local
community theater premiere for Hawthorne Players, won Best Small Ensemble
Production.
Arts For Life is a nonprofit organization that encompasses
140 communities and 8,460 square miles in St. Louis city, county and St.
Charles County in Missouri and Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties in
Illinois.
Founded in 1994 by Lucinda Gyurci as a group dedicated to
the healing power of the arts, AFL has honored community theater musicals for
performances and achievements since 1999 (BPAs), plays since 2015 (Theatre Mask
Awards) and expanded awards in youth musical theater in 2013.
Best Small Ensemble Musical “A New Brain”
But this is the first time AFL did not host a live gala.
Because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the ceremony was re-imagined as a
pre-recorded virtual celebration. The 21st annual BPAs took place
June 14, which was the original date, but transitioned to a streaming format broadcast
on Facebook and YouTube.
AFL President Mary McCreight said the coronavirus safety
measures in place and restrictions on gatherings in St. Louis County were
factors in the decision to cancel the live show but still have some sort of
event.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for our local arts
community to come together online and celebrate the many outstanding
achievements of the previous year,” McCreight said.
Performances from nominees for large ensemble musicals, two
small ensemble musicals and five youth productions premiered on AFL’s YouTube
channel for 10 days leading up to the awards, and are now available there, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCSL5RPbHTrhbc0mbHcWnA
There were 15 community theaters and 10 youth-only groups
who participated last year. More than 60 judges in the Theatre Recognition
Guild scored 46 shows — 19 large ensembles, 3 small and 24 youth, featuring
939 roles. For 2019, there were 154 individual nominations from 22 groups, with
36 percent first-time nominees and 65 percent first-time winners.
Goshen Theatre Project, which led all groups with 18
nominations, won five youth awards overall for “Les Miserables School Edition,”
including Best Youth Musical Production, Supporting Actress Natalie Cochran as
Eponine, costume design (Terry Pattison), lighting design (Halli Pattison and
Blake Churchill) and Bennett English as Best Youth Musical Performance as Jean
Valjean.
Other multiple winners in the youth categories were Riverbend
Theatre, which won three for “The Drowsy Chaperone” — director (Kristi
Doering), music direction (Michael Frazier/Alison Neace) and lead actor (Jayson
Heil as the Man in Chair), and Young People’s Theatre, which won two for
“Newsies” – best supporting actor (Will Dery as Les) and set design (Brisby
Andrews and Gary Rackers).
Norbert Leo Butz
Thirty-three awards honoring excellence during 2019 were
announced by past winners and members of the AFL board of directors, with two
special guest presenters — Norbert Leo Butz, two-time Tony Award winner who
grew up in St. Louis, and Hana S. Sharif, the Augustin Family Artistic Director
of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
Butz, who also announced the youth musical production
winner, told the audience to believe in themselves, even when it’s hard, and follow
their dreams, noting he had supportive parents and “great” teachers.
“Believe in yourself and keep on being grateful. Stick to
it,” he said from his home in New Jersey. “(Performing arts) feeds our soul,
our minds, our hearts.”
AFL donated to Butz’s charity, The Angel Band Project,
which uses music therapy to help victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence
and advocates for rights of survivors. For more information, visit www.angelbandproject.org
Jennifer Kerner
Four special honors were given out to Jennifer Kerner for
her inclusion efforts, Bennett English for Best Youth Musical Performance as
Jean Valjean in Goshen Theatre Project’s “Les Miserables: School Edition,”
Kayla Dressman for Best Featured Dancer as Dream Laurie in CMP’s “Oklahoma!” and Diane Hanisch, the BPA
musical director/conductor for the past 20 years, who won a national Spotlight
Award from the American Association of Community Theatres, presented by Quiana
Clark-Roland. A Lifetime Achievement Award was not designated this year.
Kerner’s recognition was for her advocacy on inclusion and
helping to make the live theater experience accessible to all individuals.
Kerner, a local singer and actress, works to help place people with
developmental disabilities in jobs. She has guided local theater companies in
providing sensory-friendly performances and has worked to create comfortable
environments for those on the autism spectrum and those with sensory processing
disorders.
McCreight was thrilled about Hanisch’s national award.
Diane Hanisch
“This award is designed to help pay tribute to an
individual for long or special service. It recognizes outstanding dedication,
service and contribution to your organization. It is for someone who has made a
significant impact on the quality of your organization. Diane has done just
that with per professionalism and charm. She is a gem! Not only can she calm
the nerves of a 12-year-old singing a solo, but others who are singing in front
of 700 people for the first time. She arranges and writes the music, gathers
her professional band, and conducts the show with aplomb. Diane cares as much
about our legacy as anyone involved on the Arts for Life Board. No one is more
deserving,” she said.
The annual Youth Scholarships, which are awarded to two students
pursuing a degree in the arts, were announced, with Alaina Bozarth, a graduate
of Metro East Lutheran High School, and Josiah Haan, a graduate of Fort Zumwalt
High School, each given $500. Bozarth plans to major in musical theatre at
Belmont University in Louisville, Ky., and Haan plans to major in technical
theatre and design at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.
Other ensemble nominees include “Hello, Dolly!” from
Wentzville Christian Church, “Oklahoma!” from Monroe Actors Stage Company and
“The Bridges of Madison County” from Alpha Players of Florissant for Best Large
Ensemble and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” from O’Fallon
TheatreWorks for Best Small Ensemble.
For Best Youth Production, in addition to “Les Miserables,”
nominees include “The Drowsy Chaperone” from Riverbend Theatre, “Matilda” from
Gateway Center for the Performing Arts, “Newsies” from Young People’s Theatre
and “Spring Awakening” from Gateway Center for the Performing Arts.
CMP’s Oklahoma!
For the record books, Kimberly Klick won her sixth BPA for
choreography for CMP’s “Oklahoma!”. She had previously won for CMP’s “Mary
Poppins” and “The King and I,” plus “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Big the
Musical” and “Fiddler on the Roof” for other companies. It was her 10th
overall, including wins for Best Featured Dancer in “Brigadoon” in 2000, Lead
Actress for Millie in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” 2006 and Jo in “Little Women”
in 2008, and Cameo Actress in “Titanic” 2003.
It was three in a row for Jonathan Hartley, who won for
lighting design of “Oklahoma!” and had won last year for “Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at DaySpring Center for the Arts; he won for set
design for DSA’s “Little Shop of Horrors” in 2017. Stephanie Fox won her third
in four years for choreography in Gateway Center for the Performing Arts shows –
“Spring Awakening” 2019, “Carrie the Musical” 2017 and “Thoroughly Modern
Millie” 2016. Terry Pattison also won her third for costume design since 2017:
“Peter Pan,” “The Lion King Jr.” and “Les Miz,” all for Goshen Theatre Project,
and won set design for “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in 2018.
Joe Paule Sr. won his third for musical direction, for
CMP’s “Oklahoma!”, following CMP’s “The King and I” in 2014 and Hawthorne
Players’ “The Producers” in 2010. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award
last year. It was the second award for Michael Frazier and Alison Neace for
musical direction, this year for Riverbend Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” and
for Alton Little Theatre’s “The Spitfire Grill” in 2011.
Other multiple winners included two for Alpha Players of
Florissant’s “The Bridges of Madison County” for Lead Actor (Cole Guttmann) and
Cameo Actress (Chelsie Johnston) and Take a Bow Showcase for “Annie” – juvenile
performer (Leontine Rickert) and duo/group (Matthew Joost and Carole Ann Miller).
Winners Will Shaw and Kimmie Kidd-Booker in “Nice Work If You Can Get It”
In the acting categories, Mike Huelsmann’s award for Best
Featured Actor as Jud Fry was his third, after Lead Actor as Javert in Take Two
Productions’ “Les Miz” (2013) and as part of Best Duo/Group in Looking Glass
Playhouse’s “Young Frankenstein” 2015. Kimmie Kidd-Booker’s award for Best
Featured Actress as Estonia Dulworth in “Nice Work If You Can Get It” was her second
win, after Best Featured Actress in “The Wiz” in 2014. George Doerr IV won his
second, as Igor in Alfresco’s “Young Frankenstein,” after winning Best Actor in
2017 for Alfresco’s “The Rocky Horror Show.”
The virtual program included the following production team:
directors Mary McCreight and David Wicks Jr., video supervisor Kim Klick,
visual designers Colin Dowd and Bethany Hamilton, voice-over announcer Ken
Clark and host Karen Fulks.
A list of winners is included here, below.
AFL’s Theatre Mask Awards was originally set for April 4,
then moved to July 18, but now will also be a virtual celebration. The 2020
TMAs will honor excellence in community theater productions of dramas and
comedies during 2019 in a live interactive viewing event at 11 a.m. Saturday,
July 18, on the AFL Facebook page and YouTube Channel. The awards show will be recorded
beforehand and the content will remain on social media.
On March 16, McCreight suspended all public activities of the AFL organization
because of the public health crisis. The extension has been extended until
further notice. Both TRG and TMA branch judges and participating groups will receive
announcements on future developments. As the region re-opens, social distancing
and wearing face coverings continues. At this time, all AFL performance venues
remain closed.
“I am incredibly grateful to all of our constituencies –
the board, judges, participating groups, audience members and donors – for
their commitment to AFL and their engagement and unwavering support of our
local theatre community during these uncertain times,” McCreight said.
Any company that won can have a representative pick up
their trophies on July 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Clayton
Community Theatre, which is located at the Washington University South Campus
Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63117.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
Arts For Life’s fifth annual Theatre Mask Awards will now
take place in cyberspace on Saturday, July 18, rather than during a brunch at
The Atrium banquet center at Christian Hospital.
This year’s event has been cancelled and reimagined because
of the current coronavirus public health situation and gathering restrictions
in St. Louis County.
The 2020 Theatre Mask Awards, honoring excellence in
community theatre productions of dramas and comedies during 2019, will premiere
at 11 a.m. as a live interactive viewing event on the AFL Facebook page, but
the awards show will have been pre-recorded.
In addition to the TMA Facebook Watch Party, the video will
be on the AFL YouTube channel as a live event and then will remain for later
viewings. Please subscribe so you can get a reminder of the event.
TMA will announce winners in 18 non-musical play categories.
Eleven community theater companies participate in the TMAs.
Since mid-March, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the
entire St. Louis Metropolitan region. With the need to maintain social
distancing and to wear face coverings to lessen community spread, as well as
the fact that all AFL performance venues remain closed at this time, the TMA
Steering Committee made the difficult decision to cancel the annual TMA gathering
and transition to a streamed format .
AFL had previously announced the switch to virtual for the
Best Performance Awards, which honors musical theater and youth productions.
That ceremony will be streamed Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. on the AFL YouTube
channel. The TMAs, originally set for April 4, had been moved earlier to July
18.
Uncertainty about when large groups can safely gather in
St. Louis County is another factor.
AFL President Mary McCreight emphasizes that the AFL board
will continue to base their decisions upon the best information currently
available in this rapidly evolving situation and will continue to share
information promptly and transparently, mindful of the need for our community
to receive timely updates.
“While we are disappointed that we cannot produce the
regular in-person ceremony that so many people look forward to attending, we
hope that moving to a stream-based format will still provide an opportunity for
our local arts community to come together online and celebrate the many
outstanding achievements of the previous year,” McCreight said.
The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves led all St. Louis-
southwest Illinois metropolitan area community theaters with 27 nominations.
The TGWG produces five plays a season and received
nominations for five of its shows during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons:
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (10), “The Bad Seed” (5), “Over the Tavern”
(5), “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” (4) and “Dial ‘M’ for Murder” (3).
Clayton Community Theatre notched 24 nominations — “Biloxi
Blues” (13), “A Soldier’s Play” (10) and “Eurydice” (1). CCT also broke a
record for having the most acting nominations from a single show – 8 for
“Biloxi Blues.”
To see a complete list of the nominees, visit the website:
www.artsforlife.org
McCreight had previously suspended all public activities of
the AFL organization, effective March 16 until at least May 1, and then the
board extended suspension of the Theatre Recognition Guild judging activities,
for the BPA branch (musicals), through July 31.
However, some TMA-eligible productions may open earlier if conditions permit.
TMA branch judges and participating groups should be alert for announcements
regarding future developments.
“As our world, our nation and our region face a major
health threat, it falls upon us as a community to adopt measures that will both
foster the protection of those who work and ‘play’ in Metro St. Louis community
theatre and ultimately allow AFL to continue our charitable mission of service
and recognition once the threat passes,” the president added.
For those who have purchased TMA tickets, AFL will contact
you about refund options and how your money can be returned. Instead of
receiving a refund you might also consider treating the purchase amount as a
tax-deductible donation to AFL.
Any company that wins can pick up their trophies on July 19
at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Clayton Community Theatre.
“We’d like them to send one representative to collect
everything and then disperse to the winners,” said TMA/AFL board member Melissa
Boyer.
McCreight said AFL appreciates the support shown during
these difficult times.
“I am incredibly grateful to all of our constituencies –
the board, judges, participating groups, audience members and donors – for
their commitment to AFL and their engagement and unwavering support of our
local theatre community during these uncertain times,” McCreight said.
AFL was founded in 1994 by Lucinda Guyrci as a local
non-profit organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its
work with youth, the under-served and the community. The BPAs have honored
musical theater since 1999 and the TMAs have honored plays since 2015.
“We hope that you and your loved ones stay safe during this
difficult time,” McCreight said. “Because of your commitment to our community
and belief in our mission, my optimism is not diminished about AFL being able
to move forward once this unprecedented time passes.”
For more information, contact AFL TRG Secretary Kim Klick
at afltrg@artsforlife.org
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
By Lynn Venhaus Arts For Life’s 21st annual Best Performance Awards will now take place in cyberspace on Sunday, June 14, rather than at the Skip Viragh Center for the Performing Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School. This year’s gala gathering has been cancelled and reimagined because of the current public health situation.
The 2020 Best Performance Awards, honoring excellence in
community and youth musical theater productions presented during 2019, will
premiere at 2 p.m. as a live interactive viewing event on the AFL Facebook
page, but the awards show will have been pre-recorded. In addition to the BPA
Facebook Watch Party, the video will be on the AFL YouTube channel as a live
event and then will remain for later viewings. Please subscribe so you can get
a reminder of the event.
Arts For Life will announce winners in 33 categories and
will reveal the annual youth scholarship awardees. There will also be several special
presentations. The Lifetime Achievement Award will not be presented this year.
Jennifer Kerner
Arts For Life will honor Jennifer Kerner with a Special
Achievement Award for her advocacy on inclusion and helping to make the live
theater experience accessible to all individuals. Kerner, a local singer and
actress, works to help place people with developmental disabilities in jobs.
She has guided local theater companies in providing sensory-friendly
performances and has worked to create comfortable environments for those on the
autism spectrum and those with sensory processing disorders.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire St. Louis Metropolitan region. Mandatory stay-at-home orders remain in effect for all 8,460 square miles that the Arts For Life family calls home: St. Louis city and county, St. Charles County and the Metro-East.
With the need to maintain social distancing and to wear face coverings to lessen community spread, as well as the fact that all AFL performance venues remain closed at this time and that there is considerable uncertainty as to when large group events will be allowed to resume, the AFL board made the difficult decision to cancel the annual BPA gathering and transition to a streamed format .
AFL President Mary McCreight emphasizes that the AFL board
will continue to base their decisions upon the best information currently
available in this rapidly evolving situation and will continue to share
information promptly and transparently, mindful of the need for our community
to receive timely updates.
“While we are disappointed that we cannot produce the
regular in-person ceremony that so many people look forward to attending, we
hope that moving to a stream-based format will still provide an opportunity for
our local arts community to come together online and celebrate the many
outstanding achievements of the previous year,” McCreight said.
In an emergency notification on March 16, McCreight had previously
suspended all public activities of the AFL organization, effective until at
least May 1. At the most recent regularly scheduled meeting, held via
teleconference on April 18, the board voted to extend the suspension through
July 31 with the following two exceptions:
The Board has not yet taken a final decision regarding the
fifth annual Theater Mask Awards ceremony set to honor achievements in
non-musical plays. The brunch ceremony had already been rescheduled from April
4 to July 18 at the Atrium Banquet Center on the Christian Hospital campus in
North St. Louis County. Stay tuned for announcements regarding any potential
changes that might further affect the timing and/or location of this upcoming
event.
Because of the suspension of public activities, the Theatre
Recognition Guild (TRG) judging activities for the BPA branch (musicals) are
suspended through July 31. However, activities for the TMA branch (non-musical
plays) may resume slightly earlier if conditions permit. TMA branch judges and
participating groups should be alert for any announcements regarding future
developments.
“As our world, our nation and our region face a major
health threat, it falls upon us as a community to adopt measures that will both
foster the protection of those who work and ‘play’ in Metro St. Louis community
theatre and ultimately allow AFL to continue our charitable mission of service
and recognition once the threat passes,” the president added.
For those who have purchased BPA tickets, AFL will contact
you about refund options and how your money can be returned. Instead of
receiving a refund you might also consider treating the purchase amount as a
tax-deductible donation to AFL.
“We appreciate your support. I am incredibly grateful to
all of our constituencies – the board, judges, participating groups, audience
members and donors – for their commitment to AFL and their engagement and
unwavering support of our local theatre community during these uncertain
times,” McCreight said.
To see a list of the nominees, visit the website:
www.artsforlife.org
For this year’s honors, the Gershwin 1920s
musical-screwball comedy “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from Kirkwood Theatre
Guild and the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “Oklahoma!” from Christ Memorial
Productions each garnered 17 nominations apiece, including Best Large Ensemble.
Kayla Dressman
CMP’s “Dream Laurie,” Kayla Dressman, will receive a
special award for Best Featured Dancer.
Among youth groups, the Goshen Theatre Project scored 18
nominations – 13 for “Les Miserables School Edition” and 5 for “Disney’s The
Little Mermaid.” Bennett English, who played Jean Valjean, will receive a
special award for Best Youth Musical Performance.
Other ensemble nominees include “Hello, Dolly!” from
Wentzville Christian Church, “Oklahoma!” from Monroe Actors Stage Company and
“The Bridges of Madison County” from Alpha Players of Florissant for Best Large
Ensemble and “A New Brain” from Hawthorne Players and “The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee” from O’Fallon TheatreWorks for Best Small Ensemble.
For Best Youth Production, besides “Les Miserables,”
nominees include “The Drowsy Chaperone” from Riverbend Theatre, “Matilda” from
Gateway Center for the Performing Arts, “Newsies” from Young People’s Theatre
and “Spring Awakening” from Gateway Center for the Performing Arts.
Fifteen theater groups and 10 youth-only groups participate
in the BPAs, which has honored musical theater since 1999. AFL was founded in
1994 by Lucinda Guyrci as a local non-profit organization dedicated to the
healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the under-served and the
community.
This year, judges scored 46 shows — 19 large ensembles, 3 small ensembles and 24 youth productions — from 27 participating groups, featuring 939 roles. For 2019, there are 154 individual nominations from 22 groups, and 36 percent are first-time nominees.
“We hope that you and your loved ones stay safe during this
difficult time,” McCreight said. “Because of your commitment to our community
and belief in our mission, my optimism is not diminished about AFL being able
to move forward once this unprecedented time passes.”
For more information, contact AFL TRG Secretary Kim Klick
at afltrg@artsforlife.org
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
