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CONTACT:
Susan Habas
Thalian Association Community Theatre
910-251-1788
PETER PAN AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL TAKE TOP HONORS AT THE 45TH ANNUAL THALIAN ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY THEATRE AWARDS
WILMINGTON, NC – Peter Pan and A Christmas Carol took home top honors at the Thalian Association Community Theatre Awards, Friday July 31st, at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center. This was the 45th annual awards ceremony honoring excellence in Thalian Association Community Theatre productions as recognized by the association membership.
David Loudermilk, Thalian Association Community Theatre Artistic Director, served as the emcee for the award show and members of the Youth Leadership program announced the 15 nominations celebrating excellence in all aspects of community theatre.
Jerry Flake, Thalian Association Community Theatre President, presented this year’s President’s Award to Executive Director Susan Habas. Other special acknowledgements included the Artistic Director’s Award, presented to Jen Iapalucci & Katie Richmond Deese, the Tina Award for technical achievement, presented to Benedict R. Fancy, the Volunteer of the Year Award, presented to Alice Preville, and the TACT Award was presented to Tina Leak, to honor her overall contribution for the 2014-2015 season. Helena Boldizar and Zachary Hutchinson, recipients of the Pat Hingle and Donn Ansell scholarships announced earlier this year, were also introduced at the award ceremony.
A special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to James R. Pridemore in recognition of his 50 years of continuous service on the Thalian Association Community Theatre Board of Directors. Mr. Pridemore served as president five times, worked with the City of Wilmington to convert the Historic USO Building to the Community Arts Center, was an original member of the Arts Council of the Lower Cape Fear, founded the Piney Woods Festival and the Orange Street ArtsFest.
The 2014-2015 Thalian Association Community Theatre Awards also featured musical previews of next season’s highly anticipated Main Stage Thalian Hall productions; The Addams Family, Mame, American Idiot and the Youth Theatre production of West Side Story.
The 2015-2016 awards ceremony will be held at the Ironclad Brewery in downtown Wilmington on July 29, 2016.
Established in 1788, Thalian Association Community Theatre is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to enhancing the Cape Fear region through live community theatre and arts education. Thalian Association Community Theatre produces five major productions annually on the Main Stage at historic Thalian Hall, a summer season at the Red Barn Studio and professionally manages the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington. The youth theatre program offers training and performance opportunities for children age seven through high school seniors. In 2007, Thalian Association Community Theatre was designated North Carolina’s Official Community Theater by the state legislature. For more information, go to www.thalian.org.
Congratulations to all of the nominees and the winners of the 2014-2015 Thalian Association Community Theatre Awards:
The President’s Award: Susan Habas
Volunteer of the Year Award: Alice Preville
Pat Hingle Scholarship: Helena Boldizar
Don Ansell Scholarship: Zachary Hutchinson
Thalian Association Community Theatre (TACT) Award: Tina Leak
The Tina Award: Benedict R. Fancy
Artistic Director’s Award: Jen Iapalucci & Katie Richmond Deese
Outstanding Choreographer: David T. Loudermilk for Peter Pan
Outstanding Music Director: Michael Lauricella for Peter Pan
Outstanding Ensemble Award: Cast of Ring of Fire
Outstanding Supporting Actress (in a non-musical): Mirla Criste as Cassandra in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike
Outstanding Supporting Actress (in a musical): Jessi Goei as Tigerlily in Peter Pan
Outstanding Supporting Actor (in a non-musical): Josh Bailey as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol
Outstanding Supporting Actor (in a musical): Brad Mercier as Cosmo in Singin’ in the Rain
Outstanding Lead Actress (in a non-musical): Nicole Farmer as Margie in Good People
Outstanding Lead Actress (in a musical): Emilia Torello as Peter Pan in Peter Pan
Outstanding Lead Actor (in a non-musical): Lance L. Howell as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
Outstanding Lead Actor (in a musical): Tracy Byrd as Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain
Outstanding Director (non-musical): Mike Thompson for A Christmas Carol
Outstanding Director (musical): David T. Loudermilk for Peter Pan
Outstanding Production (non-musical): A Christmas Carol
Outstanding Production (musical): Peter Pan