Nominations for the 2011 Betty Mitchell Awards, celebrating Calgary’s professional theatre, were announced today at the Auburn Saloon. Presenting the 2011 nominees was last year’s recipient of the Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Julie Orton.
The nominations for the 2011 Betty Mitchell Awards are spread particularly evenly across Calgary’s professional theatre companies reflecting a high calibre of work being produced on all stages throughout the city. While larger companies that produce more plays in a given year have received more nominations, smaller companies have received a similar proportion of nominations per play produced. Addressing the distribution of the 2011 award nominations, Trevor Rueger, Chair of the Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee, remarks,
“The representation of both the largest budget companies and the smallest budget companies really speaks to the incredible community of work being created and performed in Calgary.”
Three special adjudicated awards will also be presented at the 2011 Betty Mitchell Awards: the Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award (a $2000 cash prize) presented in conjunction with Quest Theatre, the Greg Bond Memorial Award (a $1000 cash prize, honouring Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in Calgary), and the Dean Ott/ Debbie Boult Award (honouring Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production). The Bettys’ media sponsor, Fast Forward Weekly will also be presenting the Fast Forward Weekly Readers’ Choice Award.
The complete list of nominees can be accessed here.
The 2010/2011 professional theatre season (June 15, 2010-June 14, 2011) brought to the stage 57 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 2011 Betty Mitchell Awards will be announced at the gala ceremony on Monday, August 8, 2011 at Stage West Theatre (727 – 42 Avenue S.E). Tickets are on sale now through the Stage West Box Office. Tickets are $55.00 (all fees included) and include a buffet dinner, the Betty Mitchell Awards Show and entrance to the Official Bettys 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: 403.243.6642.
For more information about the Betty Mitchell Awards, email info@bettymitchellawards.com.