CHICAGO: The 43rd annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards were presented Monday night in a ceremony at Park West. The awards recognize excellence in non-union Chicago theatre.
Griffin Theatre Company‘s London Wall and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre‘s Rent took home the top honors, for production of a play and production of a musical respectively. London Wall also received an award for director of a play, while Rent won prizes for director of a musical, musical direction, and actor in a supporting role in a musical.
David Liesse, chair of the 55-member Jeff Awards Committee, welcomed the audience and presented this year’s Special Jeff Award to director Kimberly Senior for her efforts as a mentor to emerging directors and her advocacy in helping to promote the careers of fellow artists.
Karl Hamilton and Sarah Hayes, two well-known Chicago actors, emceed the event. Brenda Didier directed the ceremony, with musical direction by Jimmy Morehead. The event was produced by John D. Glover, non-Equity wing chair of the Jeff Committee.
The Jeff Awards, established in 1968 and named after actor Joseph Jefferson, celebrate Chicago theatre. There are two Jeff ceremonies each year: one for Equity productions and one for non-Equity productions. The Equity Jeff Awards, honoring union productions, will take place Oct. 17 at the Drury Lane Oakbrook in Oakbrook Terrace.
A complete list of winners list is below:
PRODUCTION – PLAY
London Wall, Griffin Theatre Company
PRODUCTION – MUSICAL OR REVUE
Rent, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
ENSEMBLE
Posh, Steep Theatre Company
Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys, Raven Theatre
DIRECTOR – PLAY
Robin Witt, London Wall, Griffin Theatre Company
DIRECTOR – MUSICAL OR REVUE
Scott Weinstein, Rent, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Julian Parker (Yank), The Hairy Ape, Oracle Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Quinton Guyton (Mama), Lawd the CVS is Burning…A Gospel Musical Stage Play, MPAACT
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Amanda Drinkall (May), Last Train to Nibroc, Haven Theatre
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Courtney Mack (Veronica), Heathers: The Musical, Kokandy Productions
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
JP Pierson (Mendy), The Lisbon Traviata, Eclipse Theatre Company
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL OR REVUE
Aubrey McGrath (Angel), Rent, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Cecelia Wingate (Celeste), Byhalia, Mississippi, The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL OR REVUE
Amanda Horvath (Sara), Murder Ballad, Bailiwick Chicago
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Anna Dauzvardis (April, et al.), Liberty City, eta Creative Arts Foundation
NEW WORK
Evan Linder, Byhalia, Mississippi, The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company
NEW ADAPTATION
Elizabeth Lovelady, D.O.A., Strawdog Theatre Company
Christina Calvit, Miss Buncle’s Book, Lifeline Theatre
CHOREOGRAPHY
Sawyer Smith, Heathers: The Musical, Kokandy Productions
ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY
Danny Rockett, How to Explain the History of Communism to Mental Patients, Trap Door Theatre
MUSIC DIRECTION
Jeremy Ramey, Rent, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
SCENIC DESIGN
John Wilson, Byhalia, Mississippi, The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company
LIGHTING DESIGN
Charles Cooper, Murder Ballad, Bailiwick Chicago
COSTUME DESIGN
John Nasca, Design for Living, Pride Films and Plays
SOUND DESIGN
Jeffrey Levin, The Hairy Ape, Oracle Theatre
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
Breon Arzell – Step Master, The Hairy Ape, Oracle Theatre
