Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s comedy “Calendar Girls” and Hawthorne Players’ drama “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” swept the eighth annual Theatre Mask Awards on April 15.
Through the nonprofit organization Arts For Life, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays since 2015. This year recognized community theatre achievements in 2022.
TMA Chairperson Melissa Boyer said 25 shows were eligible, produced by 11 community theatres.
“This has been a very busy year and the quality of shows this year couldn’t have been better,” Boyer said.
AFL President Mary McCreight said it was more shows than ever before and congratulated all involved for the hard work they did.
“Thank you to the theater groups pursuing their dreams…you do it to bring smiles to the audience and to cultivate appreciation for the arts,” she said.
“Calendar Girls” won 7 for Outstanding Production of a Comedy, Performance by an Ensemble Cast of a Large Production, Director of a Comedy Deanna Jent, Lead Actress in a Comedy Kay Martin Love as Annie, Supporting Actor in a Comedy Gerry Love as John, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Gabi Maul as Celia, and Costume Design Cherol Thibaut.
The play is based on the true story of 11 Women Institute members in a small village in England’s Yorkshire Dales who pose for an ‘alternative’ calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund. It was adapted from the 2003 film.
Dan Wolfe as Christopher in “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” Photo by Jim Wolfe.
“A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” won 5, for Outstanding Production of a Drama, Lead Actor Dan Wolfe as Christopher, Director of a Drama Ken Clark, Set Design Ken Clark, and Lighting Design Eric Wennlund.
The drama, adapted from a novel by Mark Haddon as a play-within-a-play, involves many visual effects and projections. It’s a mystery around the neighbor’s dog’s death, which is being investigated by Christopher, who is autistic and a math prodigy.
Hawthorne Players in Florissant had received 18 nominations, with 10 for “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” and 8 for “Picnic,” leading all St. Louis area-metro-east Illinois community theater groups.
Tim Kelly, who won for his portrayal of Col. Nathan Jessup in “A Few Good Man” at The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.” Kim Klick photo.
The Kirkwood Theatre Guild had 15 TMA nods, with 11 for “Calendar Girls” and 4 for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Jan Meyer, as Big Mama Politte, won Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role in the Tennessee Williams production.
Two performers from O’Fallon Theatre Works were recognized – Susan Wylie as Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Drama, for playing Constance Blackwood in “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” and Ben Ketcherside as Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role – Comedy for playing William Shakespeare in “Shakespeare in Love.”
Tim Kelly, as Col. Nathan Jessup in “A Few Good Men,” won Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in Drama for the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves production.
Monroe Actors Stage Company won for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast of a Small Production for “Footlight Frenzy.”
In their heartfelt speeches, winners expressed gratitude for theater families and the bonds that are created during a show’s preparation and production.
“Storytelling builds community,” said director Deanna Jent, winner for “Calendar Girls.”
Director Ken Clark, winner for “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” said the support that happens is the most special aspect.
“Relationships are the real reward,” he said.
The Hawthorne Players team paid tribute to posthumous nominee Natalee Damron, 29, who died three weeks after the show closed. She had suffered from a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Clark said Natalee had played her dream role, the teacher mentor Siobhan. He introduced her mother, Pamela, who was on hand for the ceremony.
Amanda McMichael was the master of ceremonies. She won the TMA in 2020 for Lead Actress in a Comedy, for Act Two Theatre’s “Plaza Suite,” which was performed in 2019. She was a 2023 nominee as Yvonne in “The Dinner Party” at Wentzville’s Connection Theatre Company. She is also a small business owner of Once Upon a Time in St. Charles’ historic business district.
She reminded everyone of the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, the year she won, picking up her award in a parking lot “like a carpool lane.” She wanted to point out how far we have come to return to live theater.
A luncheon at Andre’s Banquet Center South in St. Louis was part of this year’s festivities. Presenters included past winners Caitlin Bromberger, Nancy Crouse, Jonathan Garland, Jackie Goodall, Brittany Kohl Hester, Grayson Jostes, Chris Lanham, Elle Lanham, Ken Lopinot, Mary McCreight, Julie Petraborg, and Shane Rudolph. Natalie Klick was the Trophy Assistant.
“I loved seeing everyone come together and laugh and catch up with each other,” Boyer said. “I want to commend Amanda McMichael for her well-paced, hilarious job as the emcee. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the Theatre Mask Awards. It was really fun!”
Calendar Girls in attendance with Trophy Assistant Natalie Klick
McCreight said the awards ceremony went off without a hitch last Saturday.
“As always, there was lots of friendly chatter among theatre groups and cheering for each other when winners were announced,” she said. “I am loving the camaraderie among the actors, directors, crews and family. Can’t wait to do it all over again next year.”
Participating AFL groups in the Theatre Mask Awards include Act Two Theatre, Clayton Community Theatre, Goshen Theatre Project, Hawthorne Players, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, KTK Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse, Monroe Actors Stage Company, O’Fallon Theatre Works, Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, and Wentzville Connection Community Theatre.
The TMAs were judged by 29 volunteers who traversed a 35-mile radius in the St. Louis metropolitan area and metro-east Illinois region to assess eligible productions.
David Wicks Jr. is the Theatre Recognition Guild chairman. Keaton Treece was the 2022 TMA secretary and Jadienne Davidson is the 2023 TMA secretary.
Nominations and awards are listed on the website, www.artsforlife.org.
Cast and team of “A Curious Incident’
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 theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.
More information is on the website about the 23rd Best Performance Awards on July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. The BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions since 1999.
For more information, email afltrg@artsforlife.org or visit the website, www.artsforlife.org
Cover photo of “Calendar Girls” by Dan Donovan
Ben Ketcherside, who played William Shakespeare, in “Shakespeare in Love” at O’Fallon Theatre Works. Kim Klick Photo
Susan Wylie of “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” at O’Fallon Theatre Works. Kim Klick photo.
Lynn Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
Amanda McMichael to host the eighth annual event April 15
Amanda McMichael will be the master of ceremonies for the eighth annual Theatre Mask Awards, which will be presented on April 15, sponsored by Arts For Life. Tickets must be ordered by April 10.
Through the nonprofit organization AFL, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays since 2015.
“Arts For Life provides a community recognition program. These 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,” said Mary McCreight, AFL president.
This year’s TMAs includes a luncheon menu starting at 11 a.m., with doors open at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 15, at Andre’s Banquet Center South, 4254 Telegraph Road, St. Louis.
Cocktail attire is suggested. Seating will be eight per table, and seating assignments will be available at the entrance.
Tickets, including full brunch, are $28 each, with a $2 fee if you purchase tickets online. Here is the link for purchase or to download a form to mail-in: https://artsforlife.org/2023-ceremony-tickets
The buffet menu includes chicken parmesan, roast beef, cavatelli con broccoli, Italian potatoes, salad, rolls, brownies, soft drinks, and coffee. Only a cash bar is available. There is an ATM machine on the premises.
McMichael won the TMA in 2020 for Lead Actress in a Comedy, for Act Two Theatre’s “Plaza Suite,” which was performed in 2019. She has participated and is supportive of local community theater, and is also a small business owner, of Once Upon a Time, in St. Charles’ historic business district.
Award Nominations
For the TMAs, the Hawthorne Players in Florissant received 18 nominations for “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” (10) and “Picnic” (8), leading all St. Louis area – metro-east Illinois community theater groups.
The O’Fallon Theatre Works had 16 for TMAs – “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” (8) and “Shakespeare in Love.”
The Kirkwood Theatre Guild had 15 TMA nods for “Calendar Girls” (11) and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (4).
Act Two in St. Peters 12 TMA nods for “Arsenic and Old Lace” (10) and “Any Number Can Die” (2).
Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., earned eight nominations for “Moon Over Buffalo” (4), “Footlight Frenzy” (3) and “Night Must Fall” (1).
The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves received six for “A Few Good Men” (5) and “Farce of Habit” (1). Goshen Theatre Project in Collinsville, Ill., earned four for the comedy “Puffs.” Wentzville Connection Theatre earned four for “The Dinner Party.” Clayton Community Theatre earned three nominations – “Broadway Bound” (2) and “Uncommon Women and Others” (1). KTK had one nomination for “The Gingerbread Lady.”
Nominations are listed on the website, www.artsforlife.org.
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 theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.
More information is on the website about the 23rd Best Performance Awards on July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. The BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions since AFL’s founding in 1999.
Lynn Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
Two classic 1930s comedies and a World War II anti-fascist drama were multiple winners at the seventh annual Theatre Mask Awards presented by Arts For Life on April 9.
Award-winning theater companies included Act Two Theatre in St. Peters, Mo., Clayton Community Theatre, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., O’Fallon Theatre Works in O’Fallon, Mo., and the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.
Through the nonprofit organization AFL, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays in the St. Louis and metro-east Illinois metropolitan area since 2015.
Saturday was AFL’s first live and in-person awards event since 2019, although the TMAs were awarded virtually in 2020 and 2021.
Live theater returned at regional community theater companies in the St. Louis-metro-east metropolitan area last year, with nine productions eligible for TMAs.
Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s production of the 1939 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” won five awards, including acting honors for Ken Lopinot as Outstanding Leading Actor in a Comedy, for playing the insufferable house guest and NYC radio wit Sheridan Whiteside; Kent Coffel as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, for playing British actor/playwright Beverly Carlton; and Brittany Kohl Hester as Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy as Whiteside’s secretary Maggie Cutler. The play also won for Best Director Danny Brown and Costume Designer Abby Pastorello.
Company of “The Man Who Came to Dinner” at Kirkwood Theatre Company
The play features 38 parts. KTG led all groups with 13 nominations, and had tied the record for most acting nominations in a single show, with eight for “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” In 2019, Clayton Community Theatre garnered eight for Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues.”
Act Two Theatre in St. Peters, Mo., took home four awards for Noel Coward’s sophisticated ghost story “Blithe Spirit” — Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Ensemble of a Play, Jacki Goodall winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for portraying flamboyant medium Madame Arcati and Chase Coates for Best Lighting Design. They had received 11 nominations, second only to KTG.
Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., had nine nominations for Lillian Helman’s 1941 drama “Watch on the Rhine,” with two women winning for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama, Julia L. Petraborg as Sara Mueller, the American wife of the German engineer protagonist, and Caitlin Bomberger for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama as Marthe de Brancovis, who is married to a Nazi sympathizer.
Shane Rudolph
Other winners included Shane Rudolph for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Drama as escaped convict and ruthless killer Glenn Griffin in “The Desperate Hours,” which was presented by the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, and Jonathan Garland for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama as the philosophical pianist Toledo in August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” produced by Clayton Community Theatre.
Christopher Lanham and Ellie Lanham won Outstanding Set Design for their work on O’Fallon Theatre Work’s “Little Women.”
Seven award winners were first-time nominees. The 14 awards were presented during a brunch ceremony at The Christy in St. Louis.
This year’s TMAs were reduced from 19 to 14 awards, because of a smaller number of productions.
TMA Chairman Melissa Boyer was grateful to be celebrating theater again.
“2021 was a year of uncertainty, but I want to commend the passion and the bravery of our judges in venturing out to support our theaters. Congratulations to the many companies that were able to reopen this year with outstanding productions. And considering we only had a half a year – nine shows is outstanding,” Boyer said.
“So happy to see the enthusiasm among theater groups for recognizing excellence among their peers and cheering each other on. I heard many positive comments,” said AFL President Mary McCreight.
Mark Lull, a local actor, nine-time awards nominee, and member of the AFL board of directors, served as the emcee.
Presenters included Kelsey McCroskey, Jesse Resimius, Heather Sartin, Ellen Schroeder, Nathan Schroeder, Caitlin Souers and Keaton Treece. Stephen Anderson handed out the trophies.
Prior to the pandemic, 15 theater groups and 10 youth-only groups participated in the BPAs while 11 were involved in the TMAs. As the region’s mitigations efforts were ongoing the past two years, only four youth-only groups and nine community theater organizations produced BPA-eligible musicals while seven participated in TMAs in 2021.
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 theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.
Caitlin Bomberger “Watch on the Rhine,” MASC
Best Performance Awards June 12
Next up is the Best Performance Awards, which has honored musical theater in community and youth productions since AFL’s founding in 1999.
Because of the public health crisis, AFL held its BPAs virtually in 2020, while BPAs were not held in 2021.
The 22nd Best Performance Awards will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, at the Frontenac Hilton, Clayton Ballroom, 1335 S Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis 63131.
Formal attire is requested, and the event will be general admission theater-style seating. A cash bar will be available.
This year’s BPAs include nominees from the shortened 2020 and 2021 theater seasons.
BPA tickets are either $20 as an early bird pricing before May 12, or $25 after that until June 12. They are available online with a service fee of $2 added: https://arts-for-life-2.square.site/.
Reservations can be arranged through the mail and tickets can be picked up at the venues on event day. Please make check payable to ARTS FOR LIFE and mail to PO Box 16426, St. Louis, MO 63125.
All BPA ticket orders will be held at the box office unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included with ticket order. If ordering for a group, please attach a list of individual names for box office pick-up.
Please contact us at afltrg@artsforlife.org if you have any special seating needs or COVID-19 related concerns. Handicapped seating is available
Groups participating in this year’s BPAs include Christ Memorial Productions, Dayspring Arts and Education, Gateway Center for the Performing Arts, Goshen Theatre Project, Hawthorne Players, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, KTK Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse, Monroe Actors Stage Company, O’Fallon Theatre Works, Over Due Theatre, Spotlight Productions and Take Two Productions.
For more information, visit the website at www.artsforlife.org
Lynn Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
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 Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
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 Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
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 Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
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 Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
Clayton Community Theatre was the big winner at this year’s
Arts For Life’s fifth annual Theatre Mask Awards, taking the top prizes for
both Outstanding Production of a Comedy – “Biloxi Blues” – and Outstanding Production
of a Drama – “A Soldier’s Play.” Combined, the two plays won eight awards.
The 2020 Theatre Mask Awards, honoring excellence in
community theatre productions of dramas and comedies during 2019, included
winners in 18 non-musical play categories. Nine community theater companies
throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan region, including three counties in the
metro-east, participate in the TMAs.
This year’s event was a pre-recorded virtual presentation
online on Saturday, July 18, instead of the usual brunch because of the
coronavirus pandemic. Originally scheduled for April 4, the TMAs were moved to
mid-July, then ultimately cancelled because of the public health emergency and
the gathering restrictions in St. Louis County.
Melissa Boyer and Tim Naegelin, members of the TMA Steering
Committee and the Arts For Life board of directors, were the co-hosts. Brant
McCance was the tech and video coordinator.
“We were able to still provide an opportunity for our local
arts community to come together online and celebrate the many outstanding
achievements of the previous year,” said AFL President Mary McCreight.
Clayton Community Theatre, formed in 1998, also was honored
for Outstanding Large Ensemble for “Biloxi Blues,” and Director Sam Hack. It
was back-to-back wins for their Eugene Trilogy by Neil Simon. In 2018, they won
comedy production and direction for “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” The second play
in Simon’s semi-autobiographical series won five awards overall.
Two “Biloxi Blues” actors were recognized – Michael
Bouchard for Lead Actor and Sam Guillemette for Supporting Actor in a Comedy.
“A Soldier’s Play” won three, including Nada Vaughn for Director
of a Drama and Nathan Schroeder for Lighting Design of a Play. Schroeder was a
previous winner for “Macbeth” in 2015.
Clayton Community Theatre had 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.”
Other multiple award winners included Act Two Theatre, two
for “Plaza Suite” – Amanda McMichael for Lead Actress in a Comedy and Jean
Heckmann for Costume Design of a Play; Monroe Actors Stage Company for “It’s a
Wonderful Life” – Sarah Polizzi for Supporting Actress and Randy Manning for
Supporting Actor in a Drama; and Theatre Guild of Webster Groves won two –
Matthew Linhardt for Lead Actor in Drama as McMurphy in “One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest” and Anna Drake as Outstanding Juvenile Performer for ‘The Bad
Seed.”
O’Fallon TheatreWorks won two for “The Miracle Worker” – Kaylee
Ryan for Lead Actress in a Drama as Helen Keller and Chris and Ellie Lanham for
Outstanding Set Design of a Play, which they have won two previous times – in
2016 for “The Diary of Anne Frank” and in 2018 for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest.”
Awards went to Alton Little Theater for Outstanding Small
Ensemble in a Play – “A Twisted Christmas Carol” and Looking Glass Playhouse
for Supporting Actress in a Comedy – Pam Boker in “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves had led all area
community theaters with 27 nominations.
Special Achievement Awards went to Alton Little Theater for
“Vintage Voices” and Hawthorne Players for “Voices of Valhalla: Hayrides
through History,” both unique applications of theater that take place in the
fall around Halloween. Each theater troupe presents stories of the people
buried in local cemeteries.
The 40-minute awards video is available on the AFL You Tube
channel: https://youtu.be/5Peni8T5UA8
AFL had previously announced the switch to virtual for the
Best Performance Awards, which honors musical theater and youth productions. That
ceremony was streamed Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. on the AFL YouTube channel.
TMA winners have an opportunity to send an acceptance
speech to AFL, and it will be posted on social media.
For the groups who have not picked up their trophies,
please contact Mary McCreight at marymccreight18@gmail.com
To see a complete list of the nominees and winners for both
TMAs and BPAs, visit the website: www.artsforlife.org
“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,” McCreight added.
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 Gyurci 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 Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
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 Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
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 Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. 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, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to other publications. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
