photo by Brent Calis

Recipients of the 12^th Annual Betty Mitchell Awards were announced during a gala event at the Max Bell Theatre in the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts on Monday, August 24, 2009.

This year’s host, local actor/writer/director, Trevor Rueger, delivered an entertaining-and often irreverent-evening of awards honouring Calgary’s 2008/2009 professional theatre season.  The awards ceremony was attended by special guests, the Honourable Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit and Deputy Mayor Andre Chabot, who joined in celebration as the evening paid homage to 82 nominations in 16 award categories from 56 eligible productions.

Alberta Theatre Projects, together with partnering companies, amassed a total of 7 awards over the course of the evening, including Outstanding Production of a Play for Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge, a co-production with Electric Company Theatre.  This same co-production garnered 2 additional awards, with Outstanding Sound Design or Composition going to Patrick Pennefather and Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction going to Crystal Pite.  Other awards carried off by Alberta Theatre Projects and partnering companies included: Outstanding New Play for The Clockmaker, by Stephen Massicote; Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama awarded to Nicola Lipman for her performance in Another Home Invasion; and finally, Outstanding Lighting Design (William Hales) and Outstanding Set Design (Carl Schlichting) for the Alberta Theatre Projects/Ghost River Theatre/The Only Animal production of NiX.

A particularly special achievement was in store for The Shakespeare Company.  With only one eligible production in the running-When That I Was…-artists Christopher Hunt and Vanessa Porteous garnered respectively the awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama and Outstanding Direction.

In the area of musical theatre, Theatre Calgary received two awards for their production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, including Outstanding Production of a Musical, and Outstanding Musical Direction (Stephen Woodjetts).  Also receiving a Betty for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical or Comedy was Bruce Horak for his performance in Evil Dead: The Musical (Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions).

A third award for a Theatre Calgary artist was the evening’s sole tie for an award.  Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Comedy or Musical was shared between Jan Alexandra Smith for her performance in Theatre Calgary’s An Ideal Husband, and Ava Jane Markus for her performance in Sage Theatre’s The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls.

Rounding out the awards ceremony were the awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role going to Christian Goutsis for his role in The Mousetrap (Vertigo Theatre), Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role awarded to Shawna Baird for her role in Frozen (Sage Theatre), and Outstanding Costume Design awarded to Deneen McArthur (The Piper, Downstage/Hit and Myth Productions).

In addition to the 16 award categories comprising the bulk of the ceremony, 4 special adjudicated awards were also announced on Monday night.  The brand new Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award was presented to Karen Johnson-Diamond.  The Greg Bond Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in Calgary was presented to Joel Cochrane.  The Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award honouring Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production was presented to Susan McNair Reid.  And in recognition of a unique contribution to the theatre community, The Betty Mitchell Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Diane Blackwell.

The Betty Mitchell Awards media sponsor, Fast Forward Weekly, presented the Fast Forward Weekly Readers’ Choice Award to Ground Zero Theatre and Hit and Myth Productions for their co-production of Evil Dead: The Musical.

The Betty Mitchell Awards are a significant annual event for Calgary’s professional theatre community.  These awards recognize the continued level of excellence in our theatres, raise the profile of live performance in our city, and encourage audience growth.

The complete list of nominees and award recipients can be accessed here.

Frock/Snazzy Suit
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Tickets…

Tickets!!!

Forgetting something?  This year’s Bettys are right around the corner.  To avoid disappointment be sure to order your tickets soon.  Tickets are on sale at the EPCOR CENTRE Box Office, located in the EPCOR CENTRE’s Centre Court area.  Tickets are $30 (plus service fee) and include entrance to both the Betty Mitchell Awards Show and the Official After Party at the Auburn Saloon.  Tickets may be purchased in person by cash, credit card, or debit.  Using a credit card, tickets may also be purchased by phone: 403.294.9494.

The 12^th Annual Betty Mitchell Awards

will be held on

Monday, August 24^th, 2009

at the Max Bell Theatre

(EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, 205-8^th Ave., S.E.)

Doors: 7:00 pm

Award Presentation: 8:00 pm

Official After Party: Immediately following at the Auburn Saloon

DO YOU HAVE YOUR BETTY MITCHELL AWARDS PASSPORT FOR THE 2009/2010 SEASON?

Don’t delay.  Get your passport today! Passports for the 2009/2010 professional theatre season are available at the box offices of Calgary’s professional theatres.  You can also pick up your passport at the Betty Mitchell Awards on Monday, August 24^th at the Max Bell Theatre in the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts (click here for more details).

The Betty Mitchell Awards Passport is a great way for members of the community to have a voice in the awards. Anyone who sees 25 eligible shows in a season, gets their passport stamped and submits it at the end of the season, receives a ballot.

The official start of the 2009/2010 season was June 15^th, 2009.  If you’ve seen any of the eligible shows that have been in production since then (see below), but didn’t have a passport to stamp, contact Karen Johnson-Diamond at kjdc@shaw.ca.

Professional productions since June 15^th:

• Bus(t) - Downstage Theatre
• Something to Do With Death - Ghost River Theatre
• Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare in the Park
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Shakespeare in the Park

See 25 Shows.  Get a Vote.

photo by Brent Calis

Nominations for the 2009 Betty Mitchell Awards, celebrating Calgary’s professional theatre, were announced today at the Auburn Saloon. Presenting the 2009 nominees were 2008 recipients for Outstanding Actor in a Drama and Outstanding Actress in a Drama, Curt Mckinstry and Shawna Burnett. Mckinstry and Burnett announced 82 nominations in 16 award categories.

Members of the community who wish to vote for the Betty Mitchell Awards must see a minimum number of shows and submit a Betty Mitchell Awards Passport verifying the shows they saw. The 2008/2009 Theatre Season saw a change to the passport system that has significantly increased voting accessibility for Calgary’s theatre-goers. This year the number of shows an audience member needed to see in order to vote was reduced to 25 performances. As a consequence, the base of voters has increased substantially.

Marcie Januska, Chair of the Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee, is thrilled to see the influx of passport submissions that has resulted. “The significant response from the community that we have seen in the increased number of passports this year really demonstrates how much Calgary theatre-goers want to be involved in the process.” She believes dedicated theatre-goers will be well-rewarded for their efforts with a ballot that offers an inspiring selection of Calgary’s talent. “It’s an exciting ballot, filled with names of very talented people working in Calgary. It’s an excellent reflection of what a great year of live theatre in Calgary this has been.”

The 2008/2009 professional theatre season (June 15, 2008-June 14, 2009) brought to the stage 56 shows eligible for Betty Mitchell Award nominations. Ballots for voting on the nominations will be distributed to the 12-member Nominating Committee and eligible Passport Holders from the theatre community and general public.

The recipients of the 2009 Betty Mitchell Awards will be announced at the gala ceremony on Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Max Bell Theatre (home to Theatre Calgary) in the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, 205-8th Ave., S.E.  The doors will open at 7:00pm and the show will start at 8:00pm.  Tickets go on sale Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the EPCOR CENTRE Box Office, located in the EPCOR CENTRE’s Centre Court area. Tickets are $30 (plus service fee) and include entrance to both the Betty Mitchell Awards Show and the Official After Party at the Auburn Saloon. Tickets may be purchased in person by cash, credit card, or debit. Using a credit card, tickets may also be purchased by phone: 403.294.9494.

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Sponsored by Carmen Davison RE/MAX Realtor

• Rebecca Auerbach - East of Berlin - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Shawna Baird - Frozen - Sage Theatre
• Georgina Beaty - Unity 1918 - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Karen Johnson-Diamond - Almost, Maine - Jeezum Crow
• Esther Purves-Smith - The Clockmaker - Alberta Theatre Projects

Outstanding Lighting Design
Sponsored by Trudie Lee Photography

• Harry Frehner and Scott Reid - Faust - Calgary Opera
• William Hales - NiX - Alberta Theatre Projects/Ghost River Theatre/The Only Animal
• Narda McCarroll -  Columbo Takes The Rap - Vertigo Theatre
• Cimmeron Meyer - The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan - Alberta Theatre Projects/Old Trout Puppet Workshop
• Adrian Muir - Skydive - Theatre Calgary

Outstanding Set Design
Sponsored by IATSE Local 212

• Terry Gunvordahl - One Flea Spare - Sage Theatre
• Narda McCarroll - Columbo Takes The Rap - Vertigo Theatre
• Cimmeron Meyer - The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan - Alberta Theatre Projects/Old Trout Puppet Workshop
• Scott Reid - A Raisin in the Sun - Theatre Calgary/Soulpepper Theatre
• Carl Schlichting - NiX - Alberta Theatre Projects/Ghost River Theatre/The Only Animal

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Sponsored by ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists)

• David Beazely - East of Berlin - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Christian Goutsis - The Mousetrap - Vertigo Theatre
• Chad Nobert - One Flea Spare - Sage Theatre
• Nathan Pronyshyn - Lieutenant of Inishmore - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions
• Jonathon Young - Studies In Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge - Alberta Theatre Projects/Electric Company Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design
Sponsored by CITT (Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology)

• Jenifer Darbellay - The Clockmaker - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Jen Gareau - The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan - Alberta Theatre Projects/Old Trout Puppet Workshop
• Deneen McArthur - The Piper - Downstage/Hit and Myth Productions
• Deneen McArthur - NiX - Alberta Theatre Projects/Ghost River Theatre/The Only Animal
• John Pennoyer - An Ideal Husband - Theatre Calgary

Outstanding Sound Design or Composition
Sponsored by The Ship & Anchor Pub

• Nicolas Bernier - On the Side of the Road - Theatre Junction
• George Fenwick - The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan - Alberta Theatre Projects/Old Trout Puppet Workshop
• Michael Gesy - The Mousetrap - Vertigo Theatre
• Allison Lynch - The Russian Play - Urban Curvz Theatre
• Brendan McGuigan - One Flea Spare - Sage Theatre
• Patrick Pennefather - Studies In Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge - Alberta Theatre Projects/Electric Company Theatre

Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction
Sponsored by Theatre Alberta

• Sven Johansson - Skydive - Theatre Calgary
• Kevin McKendrick - Lieutenant of Inishmore - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions
• Crystal Pite - Studies In Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge - Alberta Theatre Projects/Electric Company Theatre
• Lisa Stevens - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Theatre Calgary
• Adrian Young - Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure - Vertigo Theatre
• Adrian Young - The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - Alberta Theatre Projects

Outstanding Musical Direction
Sponsored by Mount Royal College Theatre Arts Program

• Tom Doyle - Come Fly With Me - Lunchbox Theatre
• Brent Rock - Evil Dead: The Musical - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions
• Robert Tweten - The Barber of Seville - Calgary Opera
• Stephen Woodjetts - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Theatre Calgary
• Jean-Marie Zeitouni - Faust - Calgary Opera

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Comedy or Musical
Sponsored by Deb Green Casting & Pentalpha Productions Inc.

• Tracy Dahl - Ariadne auf Naxos - Calgary Opera
• Karen Johnson-Diamond - Tornado Magnet - Lunchbox Theatre
• Ava Jane Markus - The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls - Sage Theatre
• Rebecca Northan - Evil Dead: The Musical - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions
• Jan Alexandra Smith - An Ideal Husband - Theatre Calgary

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy or Musical
Sponsored by Dagaz Talent

• Bruce Horak - Evil Dead: The Musical - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions
• David Leyshon - An Ideal Husband - Theatre Calgary
• Doug McKeag - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Theatre Calgary
• Tyler Rive - Evil Dead: The Musical - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions
• Mike Ross - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Theatre Calgary

Outstanding New Play
Sponsored by the University of Calgary Department of Drama

• Kendra Fanconi - NiX - Alberta Theatre Projects/Ghost River Theatre/The Only Animal
• Joan MacLeod - Another Home Invasion - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Stephen Massicotte - The Clockmaker - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Old Trout Puppet Workshop with Vanessa Porteous, Mercedes Bátiz-Benét & George Fenwick - The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan - Alberta Theatre Projects/Old Trout Puppet Workshop
• Eugene Stickland - Queen Lear - Urban Curvz

Outstanding Direction
Sponsored by The Auburn Saloon

• Kevin McKendrick - Frozen - Sage Theatre
• Kevin McKendrick - Lieutenant of Inishmore - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions
• Vanessa Porteous - The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan - Alberta Theatre Projects/Old Trout Puppet Workshop
• Vanessa Porteous - When That I Was… - The Shakespeare Company
• Bob White - The Clockmaker - Alberta Theatre Projects

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama
Sponsored by Rhonda Fisekci Casting Inc.

• Leda Davies - One Flea Spare - Sage Theatre
• Lesley Galbecka - Palace of the End - Downstage
• Nicola Lipman - Another Home Invasion - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Nancy Palk - Doubt, A Parable - Theatre Calgary
• Valerie Planche - Frozen - Sage Theatre

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama
Sponsored by Company of Rogues Actors’ Studio

• Christian Goutsis - The Clockmaker - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Christopher Hunt - When That I Was… - The Shakespeare Company
• Duncan Ollerenshaw - Frozen - Sage Theatre
• Rylan Wilkie - East of Berlin - Alberta Theatre Projects
• Rylan Wilkie - Essay - Urban Curvz Theatre

Outstanding Production of a Musical
Sponsored by Theatre Alberta

• The Barber of Seville - Calgary Opera
• Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story - Stage West
• Come Fly With Me - Lunchbox Theatre
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Theatre Calgary
• Evil Dead: The Musical - Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions

Outstanding Production of a Play
Sponsored by EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

• The Clockmaker - Alberta Theatre Projects
• The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan - Alberta Theatre Projects/Old Trout Puppet Workshop
• Frozen - Sage Theatre
• NiX - Alberta Theatre Projects/Ghost River Theatre/The Only Animal
• Studies In Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge - Alberta Theatre Projects/Electric Company Theatre

Other awards to be presented at the 2009 Betty Mitchell Awards:

Fast Forward Weekly Readers’ Choice Award
Sponsored by Fast Forward Weekly

Betty Mitchell Outstanding Achievement Award
Sponsored by The Absolute Group

Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award
Presented in conjunction with Quest Theatre

Dean Ott/ Debbie Boult Award
Sponsored by Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
(Honouring Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production)

Greg Bond Memorial Award
Sponsored by The Greg Bond Memorial Fund
(Honouring Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in Calgary)

2009 Event Sponsors

Media Sponsor
Fast Forward Weekly

Orchestra Sponsor
Calgary Arts Development

Program Sponsor
McAra Printing

Audio/Visual Sponsor
Unique Communications

Decor Sponsor
Calgary Downtown Association

Betty Mitchell Nominating Committee Sponsor
Bottom Line Productions

Passport Sponsor
Henryk Rajner Memorial Fund

Members of the community who have seen 25 or more eligible theatre productions, and have their passports stamped, are in encouraged to mail in their passports NO LATER THAN JUNE 30TH.

Passports should be mailed to:

Betty Mitchell Awards

c/o R.W. Quinlan

#209, 6131 - 6th Street S.E.

Calgary, AB  T2H 1L9

Please be sure to include your name, mailing address, and phone number with your passport.  Ballots will be mailed out to all community members who have submitted passports containing 25 or more stamps.

Please direct any questions about the passport process to Karen Johnson-Diamond at kjdc@shaw.ca

*****

The Betty Mitchell Awards, named for a pioneer of Calgary’s theatrical community, Dr. Betty Mitchell, were started in 1998 to celebrate and honour outstanding achievement in Calgary’s professional theatre community. The Betty Mitchell Awards provide the opportunity to recognize the excellent work that takes place on our stages in Calgary throughout the year.

*****

For media information or to request interviews, please contact:
Tammy Roberts, Publicity Liaison
Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee
P: 403.681.1190 E-mail: tammy.roberts@gmail.com

photo by Brent Calis

Nominations for the 2009 Betty Mitchell Awards will be announced at The Auburn Saloon (115, 9th Ave. S.E.—at the base of the Calgary Tower) on Wednesday, July 22nd at 11 a.m. by 2008 recipients for Outstanding Actor in a Drama and Outstanding Actress in a Drama, Curt McKinstry and Shawna Burnett.  McKinstry and Burnett will also announce the new venue for this year’s Awards Ceremony, and the brand new Betty Mitchell Awards website.

Members of the Calgary theatre community, friends, patrons, and the media are all invited to attend the Nomination Announcement.  The complete list of nominees can be accessed at www.bettymitchellawards.com following the announcement.

Now in their 12th year, The Betty Mitchell awards are an important part of Calgary’s professional theatre community.  These awards not only recognize the continued level of excellence in our theatres but also raise the profile of live performance in our city and encourage audience growth.

The 2008/2009 professional theatre season (June 15th, 2008–June 14th, 2009) brought to the stage 56 shows eligible for Betty Mitchell Award nominations.  To be eligible the shows must run in the City of Calgary for at lease nine performances over two weekends, and the shows must be professional in nature.  The professional nature of a show is defined by whether or not members of the creative team are working under a Canadian Actors’ Equity Association contract.**  Our accountant, Bob Quinlan, tabulates the input of the Nominating Committee and produces a list of nominees.

The final ballots are then distributed to the same 12-member Nominating Committee, and to anyone (actors, directors, designers, crew, administration, audience members, etc.) who has seen 25 of the eligible productions.  Ballots are mailed to these people as requested after providing proof (by way of submitting a Betty Mitchell Awards Passport) indicating the bearer has seen 25 of the eligible productions.

Ticket details will be included in the 2009 Nominations Announcement on July 22nd, 2009 and tickets will be available for purchase the following day.  Ticket information can also be accessed at www.bettymitchellawards.com following the announcement.

For general information, visit the website or email info@bettymitchellawards.com.

** 5 or 50% of the creative team is working under a CAEA or design contract.

photo by Brent Calis

The 2009-2010 Theatre season begins June 15th - get us your show info asap - Click here for the rules regarding eligibility.

photo by Brent Calis

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award (Honouring Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production)

This annual award has been created to honour a member of Calgary’s theatre community who has made a major contribution or significant achievement in the area of technical production in Calgary.  This award is given in recognition of Dean Ott and Debbie Boult.  Throughout their lives, Dean and Debbie continually strove for excellence and were regarded as a benchmark for professionalism.  The recipient of this award will reflect Dean and Debbie’s passion for their craft.

Criteria for nomination:

• Must be a Calgary resident who has continuously striven for excellence in his/her craft;
• Will have the qualities of professionalism, cooperation, self-discipline and strong work ethic;
• May be awarded for an outstanding season of work, individual achievement, or a sustained contribution to the community;
• Areas of specialization may include, but are not restricted to: stage management, stage carpentry, production management, running crew, wardrobe, lighting or sound technician.

The nominator will elaborate on the manner in which the candidate meets the above criteria.  Additional letters of testimony will be accepted to a maximum submission of ten pages total.

The recipient will be chosen from among the nominees by a jury consisting of past recipients, plus other industry professionals, as selected by the Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee.  The successful nominee will be recognized at the Betty Mitchell Awards, August 24, 2009, which celebrate Calgary’s professional theatre community.

Previous recipients have included: Colin McCracken (stage manager), Monty Schneider (production manager), Dianne Goodman (production stage manager), Brad & Ellen Leavitt (technicians/stage managers), Lance Olsen (technician/stage carpenter), Tracey Hooper (dresser/wardrobe head), Darcy Foggo (assistant stage manager), Ian Wilson (production manager/stage carpenter), Brian Beaulieu (production manager), Terri Gillis (production stage manager), and Wes Jenkins (production/facility).

Previous nominees who have not received the award may be resubmitted.

Deadline for application: June 30, 2009.

Please mail to:

Betty Mitchell Awards
Re: Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award
PO Box 924 Station T
Calgary, AB  T2H 2H4

For more information, or to submit a nominee, please contact the Chair of the Jury, Trevor Rueger at 403.862.8953 or trueger@telusplanet.net.

photo by Brent Calis

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Greg Bond Memorial Award (Honouring Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in Calgary)

This annual award is intended to honour the outstanding achievement by an individual - either for this season or for accumulated dedication or achievement - in musical theatre in Calgary.

The award is made possible through the Toronto Community Foundation, and is presented by the Bond Family in memory of their son, Greg (1954 - 1989).  Greg studied and worked in musical theatre across Canada, from Banff to Charlottetown as well as in Australia.  His life was marked by a drive for professionalism, a talent for composition, and a desire to continually study, create and perform.  He will be remembered for his positive attitude and his remarkable ability to give and engender respect from everyone whom his life touched.

Criteria for nomination:

• Must be a Calgary resident who has continuously striven for exellence in his/her craft;
• Will have contributed to the profile of musical theatre in Calgary;
• Will have the qualities of: cooperation, self-discipline and work ethic;
• Areas of specialization may include, but are not restricted to: performance, musical direction, education, choreography, composition, instrumentalist;
• Is a professional in his/her field, and viewed as such by his/her peers.

The nominator will elaborate on the manner in which the candidate meets the above criteria.  Additional letters of testimony will be accepted to a maximum submission of ten pages total.

The recipient will be chosen by a jury consisting of past recipients plus other industry professionals, as selected by the Betty Mitchell Steering Committee.  The succesful nominee will receive a $1000 cash award and be recognized at the Betty Mitchell Awards, August 24, 2009, which celebrate Calgary’s professional theatre community.

Previous recipients have included: Tom Doyle, Margot McDermott, Bob Foster, Marilyn Perkins, Stage West Calgary, Hal Kerbes, Joe Slabe, Elaine Higgin Case, Mark Bellamy, David Rhymer and Denise Clarke.

Previous nominees who have not received the award may be resubmitted.

Deadline for application: June 30, 2009.

Please mail to:

Betty Mitchell Awards
Re: Greg Bond Memorial Award
PO Box 924 Station T
Calgary, AB  T2H 2H4

or by email to: kathikerbes@shaw.ca

For more information please contact the Chair of the Jury, Kathryn Kerbes at kathikerbes@shaw.ca.

photo by Brent Calis

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

**NEW AWARD**

Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award

This annual award has been created to honour an individual or group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution or significant achievement in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences in Calgary.

This award is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Quest Theatre and the Betty Mitchell Awards and is supported by a fund established in 2008 at the Calgary Foundation by a group of generous donors in recognition of Duval Lang.

Duval Lang is the founding Artistic Director of Quest Theatre and has spent 25 years making theatre accesible, meaningful and enjoyable to young audiences.

Along the way he has nurtured many emerging artists who have been inspired by his influence.  Duval’s dedication to his craft has, and will continue to have, a significant impact in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.

Criteria for nomination:

• May be an individual or a group of individuals (but not an organization);
• Must be a Calgary resident who has continuously striven for excellence in his/her craft;
• Has demonstrated excellence in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences;
• May be awarded for an outstanding season of work, individual achievement, or a sustained contribution to the community.

The nominator will elaborate on the manner in which the candidate meets the above criteria.  Additional letters of testimony will be accepted to a maximum submission of ten pages total.

The recipient will be chosen by a jury consisting of past recipients (in future years) plus other industry professionals, as selected by Quest Theatre and the Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee.  The succesful nominee will receive a $2000 cash award and be recognized at the Betty Mitchell Awards, August 24, 2009, which celebrate Calgary’s professional theatre community.

All submissions will be kept on file for one year.

Deadline for application: June 30, 2009.

Please mail to:

Betty Mitchell Awards
Re: Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award
PO Box 924 Station T
Calgary, AB  T2H 2H4

or by email to: info@bettymitchellawards.com

For more information please contact the Chair of the Jury, Jamie Konchak via email jamiekonchak@gmail.com.