FOLIO
by DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM
on Friday August 20th, Theatre Jacksonville held its annual awards ceremony for the 2009-2010 season. TJ combines this special event with the annual meeting of members and the Board of Directors.
Michael Killea, as the outgoing President of the Board, called for a vote on the new incoming board members, then followed with a brief summary of the season’s accomplishments. The most important item for any theatre in these times is its financial condition. Mr. Killea reported the theatre met all expenses and has a good financial start on the new season. This was accomplished in several ways: financial support from government and private corporate donors, an 18% increase in box office receipts, a 42% increase in individual donations, and the combined efforts of many individuals, who donated over 15,000 volunteer hours to all phases of the theatre’s operation.
Executive Director Sarah Boone and Technical Director Jeffrey Wagoner took over the lectern for the presentation of the awards. The nominees in each category were flashed on a giant screen in center stage, prior to the presentation of engraved glass trophies to the winners. The quality of the slide presentation was excellent.
The awards were followed by the always popular buffet, prepared by Anthony’s Gourmet Catering, who received an award as Outstanding Business Partner. The final event of the evening was the Door Prize drawings of donations of gift certificates and merchandise from many local merchants. Entertaining U was pleased to participate with DVDs, CDs, and film screening passes.
The award winners were:
SHOW AWARDS
Costume Design TRACY OLIN…Our Leading Lady
Set Design KELLY WAGONER …Getting Sara Married
Lighting Design JEFFERY WAGONER…The Maltese Bodkin
Properties GLORIA PEPE…The Maltese Bodkin
Set Dressing JEFFERY & KELLY WAGNOR…The Maltese Bodkin
Sound Design JASON COLLINS…Dearly Beloved
Outstanding Production OUR LEADING LADY. ..MICHAEL LIPP, Director
ACTING AWARDS
Outstanding Actor JASON COLLINS as Brandon Gates…Getting Sara Marrried
Outstanding Actress MARYBETH ANTOINETTE as Laura Keene…Our Leading Lady
CHERILYN WALKER as Sister Mary Hubert…Nunsense
Outstanding Supporting Actor JOSH TAYLOR as Justin Waverly…Dearly Beloved
THOMAS TRAUGER in several roles…The Maltese Bodkin
Outstanding Supporting Actress TONI PHILIPS as Wu-Chan…Our Leading Lady
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Front-Of-The-House Volunteer CHERYL COBB
Teen Volunteer LOREN MULLINS
Technical Volunteer MARY BETH WARD & BRADEN WARD
All-Around Volunteer GARY SWALLOW
Theatre Jacksonville opens another fabulous season on September l7th with the classic Romeo and Juliet with a special ticket price of only $10.00 made possible by its generous corporate sponsors. For reservations or additional information, call 396-4425 or visit www.theatrejax.com.
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