Volunteers contributing to eight shows that made it to the stage in an unconventional 2020-2021 season won honors at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s Centre Stage Awards celebration on Sunday.
Much of the season featured plays with small casts to allow for social distancing on stage. Most of the plays had two casts performing on alternating nights in front of reduced-capacity audiences. Instead of awards for outstanding performances, MVP Awards—chosen by a vote of the cast—and Director’s Choice Awards honored valuable contributions to the success of each show in a season challenged by the pandemic.
Awards were also presented for volunteer contributions on stage, off stage, and behind the scenes. The adults were joined by volunteers from the Youth Theatre, many of whom were recognized with Sonia Young Honors for Excellence for the season’s production of The Wind in the Willows.
For their onstage appearances, Brandi Jordan of Working: A Musical was recognized as Outstanding Debut Actor, and Gracie Gilbert of The Miss Firecracker Contest received the Star Turn Award.
In backstage roles, Robert Soderstrom was recognized as Outstanding Stage Manager of the Year for his work on Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play and The Miss Firecracker Contest. The crew of The Miss Firecracker Contest was honored as Outstanding Crew of the Year.
For other contributions to the theatre, Madelyn Woods received the Front of House Award, and Tammy Knotts received the Administrative Award.
Top awards went to Scott Dunlap as winner of the President’s Award, Annie Collins as the recipient of the Producer’s Award, and Carina Miller and Lisa Fox as the Dan Jay Volunteers of the Year.
Here’s the list of honorees for each production:
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years (October 2020):
Darleene Cole, MVP Award
E’tienne Easley, MVP Award
Kim Reynolds, MVP Award
Shelia Wofford, MVP Award
Lobby Hero (November 2020):
MVP Award (Bridge Cast): Keath Jackson, Jr.
MVP Award (Tunnel Cast): Thaddeus Taylor
Director’s Choice Award (Bridge Cast): Claire Bartlett
Director’s Choice Award (Tunnel Cast): Alexandra Feliciano
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (December 2020):
MVP Award (Red Cast): Noah Huseman
MVP Award (Green Cast): John Echols
Director’s Choice Award (Red Cast): Lindsey Wills
Director’s Choice Award (Green Cast): Annie Collins
Almost, Maine (February 2021):
MVP Award (Moose Cast): Rebecca Ford
MVP Award (Squirrel Cast): Joanna Lewis
Director’s Choice Award (Moose Cast): Alex Ford
Director’s Choice Award (Squirrel Cast): Jeremy Campbell
Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play (April/May 2021):
MVP Award (Psycho Cast): Richard Nichols
MVP Award (Notorious Cast): Greg Rambin, Sr.
Director’s Choice Award (Psycho Cast): Sandra Jennings
Director’s Choice Award (Notorious Cast): Cris King
The Miss Firecracker Contest (July 2021):
MVP Award: Jesse Headrick
Director’s Choice Award: Marie Dance
Working: A Musical (August/September 2021):
MVP Award: Jamie Gienapp
Choreographer’s Choice Award: Beth McClary-Wolford
Music Director’s Choice Award: Will Park
Director’s Choice Award: Dawn Hendrix
Sonia Young Awards for Excellence in the Youth Theatre:
The Wind in the Willows (March 2021):
Stage Manager of the Year: Tate Mink, Bella Miller, Lily Obal
Stage Manager’s Awards: Kaitlyn Young (Bubble Cast), Gabrielle Stoll (Squeak Cast), Marydee Barnett (Squeak Cast)
Assistant Director’s Awards: Charlie Clevenger (Bubble Cast), Libbie Weaver (Bubble Cast), Benjamin Rodriguez Cruz (Squeak Cast), Alex Champion (Squeak Cast)
Director’s Awards: Jackson Allen (Bubble Cast), Jack Schurr (Bubble Cast), Sydney Terfloth (Squeak Cast), Drew Champion (Squeak Cast)