2014-2015 B. Iden Payne Theatre Awards, Austin
Below are the B. Iden Payne Award Winners and Nominees for the 2014-2015 theatrical season. This year, nearly 400 ballots were cast, up from 250 last year.
THEATER FOR YOUTH
2014 – 2015 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Por los Mojados La Compañía Juvenil de Proyecto Teatro
Nominees:
Ashes, Ashes Scottish Rite Theater
The Big Bolt Pollyanna Theatre Company
Cenicienta ZACH Theatre, Teatro Vivo and Glass Half Full Theatre
A Year With Frog and Toad ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Luis Armando Ordaz Gutiérrez Por los Mojados, La Compañía Juvenil de Proyecto Teatro
Nominees:
Judy Matetzschk-Campbell The Big Bolt, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Nat Miller A Year With Frog and Toad, ZACH Theatre
Caroline Reck Cenicienta, ZACH Theatre, Teatro Vivo and Glass Half Full Theatre
Allen Robertson Tortoise and Hare, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Actor
Winner:
Chase Brewer (Toad) A Year With Frog and Toad, ZACH Theatre
Nominees:
Aaron Alexander (Pal the Dog) The Big Bolt, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Dylan Kittleman (Angel) Rent, kidsActing
Nathaniel Reid (Mr. Sun) In My Own Backyard, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Donelvan Thigpen (Simon) Tortoise and Hare, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Actress
Winner:
Gricelda Silva (Belinda) Cenicienta, ZACH Theatre, Teatro Vivo and Glass Half Full Theatre
Nominees:
Uyen-Anh Dang (Jimmi) The Big Bolt, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Uyen-Anh Dang (Sarah) Sarah the Dinosaur, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Madison Palomo (Esperanza) Esperanza Rising, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Katy Smaczniak (Nini) Ashes, Ashes, Scottish Rite Theater
MUSIC THEATER
2013– 2014 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Heathers Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Nominees:
Chicago Austin Playhouse
The Robber Bridegroom SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
The Rocky Horror Show Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Sophisticated Ladies ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Michael McKelvey Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Nominees:
Danny Herman The Robber Bridegroom, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Jeff Hinkle The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Austin Theatre Project
Michael McKelvey Guys and Dolls, Summer Stock Austin
Michael McKelvey The Rocky Horror Show, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Outstanding Lead Actor
Winner:
Gray Randolph (Dr. Frank-n-Furter) The Rocky Horror Show, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Nominees:
Chase Brewer (Brad) The Rocky Horror Show, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Matt Buzonas (Jamie Lockhart) The Robber Bridegroom, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Travis Martin (Jinx) Forever Plaid, Austin Theatre Project
Kenny Williams (Raconteur) Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress
Winner:
Aline Mayagoitia (Veronica Sawyer) Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Nominees:
Sara Burke (Cathy) The Last Five Years, Penfold Theatre Company
Chanel Haynes-Schwartz (Soubrette) Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Audrey Johnson (Carrie White) Carrie: The Musical, Austin Theatre Project
Emily Ott (Rosamund) The Robber Bridegroom, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Outstanding Featured Actor
Winner:
Vincent Hooper (Seaweed J. Stubbs) Hairspray, Zilker Theatre Productions
Nominees:
Keaton Jadwin (Riff Raff) The Rocky Horror Show, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Scott Shipman (Amos Hart) Chicago, Austin Playhouse
Michael Valentine (Fred) A Christmas Carol, ZACH Theatre
Brian Whitted (hipster, band leader) Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Kenny Williams (Ghost of Christmas Past, Charitable Gentleman, Spirit)
A Christmas Carol, ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Featured Actress
Winner:
Taylor Bryant (Heather Chandler) Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Nominees:
Jennifer Coy (Lin) The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Austin Theatre Project
Kristin Hall (Penny Pingleton) Hairspray, Zilker Theatre Productions
Meredith McCall (Salome) The Robber Bridegroom, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Molly McCaskill (Miss Adelaide) Guys and Dolls, Summer Stock Austin
Cathie Sheridan (Margaret White) Carrie: The Musical, Austin Theatre Project
COMEDIES
2014 – 2015 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Picasso at the Lapin Agile Present Company
Nominees:
Cock Theatre en Bloc
The Lure of the Maiden’s Chest La Fenice
Now Then Again Penfold Theatre Company
Thr3e Zisters Salvage Vanguard Theater
Year of the Rooster Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Yury Urnov Thr3e Zisters, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
Ryan Crowder Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Derek Kolluri Cock, Theatre en Bloc
Mark Pickell Fool for Love, Capital T Theatre
Mark Pickell Year of the Rooster, Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor
Winner:
Michael Ferstenfeld (Albert Einstein) Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Present Company
Nominees:
Zac Carr (John) Cock, Theatre en Bloc
Nathan Jerkins (Henry) Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Jason Newman (Gil Pepper) Year of the Rooster, Capital T Theatre
Robert Pierson (George W. Bush) The Strangerer, Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress
Winner:
Gricelda Silva (Wicked Child) Changelings, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Claire Grasso (Kate Hardcastle) She Stoops to Conquer, Austin Playhouse
Molly Karrasch (May) Fool for Love, Capital T Theatre
Megan Rabuse (Ginny) Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Jessica Riley (Gwendolyn Fairfax) The Importance of Being Earnest, City Theatre Company
Outstanding Featured Actor
Winner:
Travis Bedard (Magus Kemp) Changelings, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Chase Brewer (Leroy) A Bright New Boise, Hyde Park Theatre
E. Jason Liebrecht (Odysseus Rex) Year of the Rooster, Capital T Theatre
Dennis Pratt (Felix) Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Jesus I. Valles-Morales (Joe) Aye, No!, Teatro Vivo
Ryan Wilson (Lucio) Measure for Measure, Baron’s Men
Outstanding Featured Actress
Winner:
Liz Beckham (Germaine) Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Present Company
Nominees:
Kara Bliss (Lady Bracknell) The Importance of Being Earnest, City Theatre Company
Adrienne Brown (Avery) Rapture, Blister, Burn, Southwest Theatre Productions
Jenny Lavery (W) Cock, Theatre en Bloc
Eva McQuade (Mague) Aye, No!, Teatro Vivo
Kate Meehan (Capitana, Dottore) The Lure of the Maiden’s Chest, La Fenice
DRAMAS
2014 – 2015 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Am I White Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
Still Now Shrewd Productions
The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Waiting for Lefty Street Corner Arts
When the Rain Stops Falling Different Stages
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Jenny Larson Am I White, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
Norman Blumensaadt When the Rain Stops Falling, Different Stages
Connor Hopkins The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
David M. Long Love and Information, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Benjamin Summers Waiting for Lefty, Street Corner Arts
Outstanding Lead Actor
Winner:
J. Ben Wolfe (Wesley Connor) Am I White, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
Keith Machekanyanga (Gusev) Gusev, Breaking String Theater
Steve Vinovich (Lyndon B. Johnson) All the Way, ZACH Theatre
Ken Webster (Pastor Paul) The Christians, Hyde Park Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress
Winner:
Ebony Stewart (herself) Hunger, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Michael Learned (Katharine Gerard) Mothers and Sons, ZACH Theatre
Feliz Dia McDonald (everyone) Pretty Fire, Spectrum Theatre Company
Amelia Turner (Annie) Still Now, Shrewd Productions
Outstanding Featured Actor
Winner:
Michael Joplin (Ryan) Am I White, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
Joseph Garlock (Ben) Still Now, Shrewd Productions
Rick Smith (Gabriel York) When the Rain Stops Falling, Different Stages
David Stahl (Polonius, First Gravedigger) Hamlet, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Zach Thomas (Joe) Waiting for Lefty, Street Corner Arts
Outstanding Featured Actress
Winner:
Taylor Flanagan (young Gabrielle York) When the Rain Stops Falling, Different Stages
Nominees:
Babs George (Esther) Jacob’s Ladder, Theatre en Bloc
Jess Hughes (Jenny) The Christians, Hyde Park Theatre
Olivia Jiménez (Valeria) El Nogalar, Teatro Vivo
Robin Grace Thompson (Cassandra) Deus ex Machina, Whirligig Productions, Fusebox and Shrewd Productions
IMPROVISATION
2014 – 2015 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Nothing and Everything Hideout Theatre
Nominees:
Late Night Time Machine Institution Theater
Risen: Improvised Stories in World War Z Institution Theater
The Secret Lives of Soccer Moms and Girls Girls Girls: Improvised Musicals Institution Theater
You Can’t Stay Here Institution Theater
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Jon Bolden Nothing and Everything, Hideout Theatre
Nominees:
the cast The Secret Lives of Soccer Moms, and Girls Girls Girls: Improvised Musicals, Institution Theater
Sarah Marie Curry Risen: Improvised Stories in World War Z, Institution Theater
Brad Hawkins You Can’t Stay Here, Institution Theater
Mason Pitluk Late Night Time Machine, Institution Theater
Rudy Kloptik Award for Outstanding Improvisational Troupe
(nominated by the Austin improv community)
Winner:
The Knuckleball Now Hideout Theatre, ColdTowne Theater and Institution Theater
Nominees:
Bad Boys ColdTowne Theater
Loverboy ColdTowne Theater
Movie Riot ColdTowne Theater
Parallelogramophonograph Hideout Theatre
Patio Talk ColdTowne Theater
DESIGN AND TECH
2014 – 2015 Season
Outstanding Set Design
Winner:
Ia Ensterä Thr3e Zisters, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
Kaci Beeler Happily Ever After, Hideout Theatre
Ann Marie Gordon When the Rain Stops Falling, Different Stages
Connor Hopkins The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll,Trouble Puppet Theater Company
June Podlech Ashes, Ashes, Scottish Rite Theater
David Utley The Last Five Years, Penfold Theatre Company
Outstanding Lighting Design
Winner:
Stephen Pruitt The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Nominees:
Patrick Anthony Fool for Love, Capital T Theatre
Sam Chesney Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Kathryn Eader Hamlet, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Michelle Habeck Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Megan Reilly Still Now, Shrewd Productions
Outstanding Sound Design
Winner:
Robert S. Fisher Thr3e Zisters, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
K. Eliot Haynes Simple Sundries, Glass Half Full Theatre
Chris Humphrey Ashes, Ashes, Scottish Rite Theater
Jeff Miller When the Rain Stops Falling, Different Stages
Andrew Perry The Big Bolt, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Peter Stopschinski Am I White, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Outstanding Costume Design
Winner:
Glenda Barnes The Rocky Horror Show, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Nominees:
Glenda Barnes Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Jennifer Davis Changelings, VORTEX Repertory Company
Monica Gibson and Lucie Cunningham The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Susan Branch Towne A Christmas Carol, ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Media Design
Winner:
Chris Owen The Wars of Heaven: Part I, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Nominees:
Bill Baird The Society for Hard Determinists, Twin Alchemy Collective
Stephanie Busing Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Patrick Lord Esperanza Rising, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Stephen Pruitt Feast of My Heart, Jason Phelps
Julia M. Smith Gusev, Breaking String Theater
Outstanding Stage Management
Winner:
Stephanie Delk Deus ex Machina, Whirligig Productions, Fusebox and Shrewd Productions
Nominees:
Cami Alys Ashes, Ashes, Scottish Rite Theater
Susan Threadgill Hairspray, Zilker Theatre Productions
Robert Tolaro Love and Information, SEU Mary Moody Northern Theatre
Catherine Anne Tucker A Christmas Carol, ZACH Theatre
GENERAL
2014 – 2015 Season
Outstanding Music Direction
Winner:
Michael McKelvey and Adam Roberts Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Nominees:
Susan Finnigan The Robber Bridegroom, SEU Mary Moody Northern Theatre
Jeffrey Jones-Ragona The Sorcerer, Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin
Michael McKelvey Guys and Dolls, Summer Stock Austin
Brian Whitted Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Dance Choreography
Winner:
Juan Pablo Flores Por los Mojados, La Compañía Juvenil de ProyectoTeatro
Nominees:
Erica Gionfriddo Gusev, Breaking String Theater
Danny Herman The Robber Bridegroom, SEU Mary Moody Northern Theatre
Dominique Kelley Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Madison Piner Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Outstanding Fight Choreography
Winner:
Erica Gionfriddo Gusev, Breaking String Theater
Nominees:
David M. Long Hamlet, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Toby Minor The Lure of the Maiden’s Chest, La Fenice
Outstanding Original Script
Winner:
Adrienne Dawes Am I White, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
La Compañía Juvenil de Proyecto Teatro Por los Mojados, La Compañía Juvenil de ProyectoTeatro
the ensemble The Lure of the Maiden’s Chest, La Fenice
Rupert Reyes and Caroline Reck Cenicienta, ZACH Theatre, Teatro Vivo and Glass Half Full Theatre
Ebony Stewart Hunger, VORTEX Repertory Company
Outstanding Original Score
Winner:
Ammon Taylor Cenicienta, ZACH Theatre, Teatro Vivo and Glass Half Full Theatre
Nominees:
Joanna Garner 100 Heartbreaks, Joanna Garner
Brently Heilbron Fragile Rock, Brently Heilbron
Allen Robertson Tortoise and Hare, Summer Stock Austin
Justin Sherburn The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Justin Sherburn The Wars of Heaven: Part I, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Outstanding Cast Performance
Winner:
Cock Theatre en Bloc
Nominees:
The Lure of the Maiden’s Chest La Fenice
Nothing and Everything Hideout Theatre
Por los Mojados La Compañía Juvenil de Proyecto Teatro
The Rocky Horror Show Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Outstanding Ensemble Performance
Winner:
Jose Villarreal with Zac Crofford and Katy Taylor (Hyde); Travis Bedard with Noel Gaulin and Gricelda Silva (Jekyll)
The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll,Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Nominees:
Kelly Kline, Gemini Dai and Althea Trix (fairy-drag-queens) Aye, No!, Teatro Vivo
Taylor Bryant, Kassiani Menas and Celeste Castillo (Heathers) Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Matthew Shields and Tony Merriwether (tapoff duo) Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Heather Hanna, Jenny Larson and Caroline Reck (zisters) Thr3e Zisters, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Chase Brewer and Nicholas Kier (Toad and Frog) A Year With Frog and Toad, ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Featured Music Performance
Winners:
Michael Ferstenfeld Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Nominees:
Julian Arizola, Robert Casillas and Joseph Quintana Esperanza Rising, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Death by Dronius The Metal Queen: Kneel Before Her Dark Majesty, Loaded Gun Theory
Eric Roach, Robert Vignisson and Alexander Villarreal 100 Heartbreaks, Joanna Garner
Clif Tipton Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Present Company
Milton Villeda and Ethan Vlah SPIRIT, VORTEX Repertory Company
Outstanding Young Performer
Winner:
Lena Owens (Kama) Tortoise and Hare, Summer Stock Austin
Nominees:
Alaina Vi Maderal (swing performer) Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Paige Riley (Dorothy) The Wizard of Oz,, Austin Jewish Repertory Theater Summer Musical Workshop for Youth
Genevieve Schroeder-Arce (Isabel) Esperanza Rising, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
iley Simpson (Dorine) Tartuffe, VORTEX Repertory Company Summer Youth Theatre
Outstanding Puppetry
Winner:
Cenicienta ZACH Theatre, Teatro Vivo and Glass Half Full Theatre
Nominees:
Changelings VORTEX Repertory Company
Fragile Rock Brently Heilbron
The Strange Case of Edward Hyde and Dr. Jekyll Trouble Puppet Theater Company
The Wars of Heaven: Part I Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Outstanding Theatrical Event
Winner:
Eros Proyecto Teatro
Nominees:
Feast of My Heart Jason Phelps
Great Gold Bird, Great Dark Yawn Twin Alchemy Collective
Sacred Space Exchange Artists and DD Dagger
The Society for Hard Determinists Twin Alchemy Collective
Distinguished Achievement
ProyectoTeatro
Special Citations
Benjamin Bradley, Robert Matney & Tim Thomas: The Gods in the Machines (Outstanding Technical Achievement), Deus Ex Machina, Whirligig Productions, Fusebox and Shrewd Productions.
Lacy Shawn, Programming for At-Risk and Special Needs Youth, Hideout Theatre
David Yeakle, Legacy of Movement Theatre