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