hello Whoa That is hot mic. She is hot Hello everyone. Hi nice to see some friendly faces here. Thank you so much for coming and welcome to the 35th annual Elizabeth's Sterling Haynes awards nominees announcements.
Thank you to everyone here at Fringe theatre for hosting this press conference. And thank you to Jody Morrison for providing ASL interpretation for today's events. The Elizabeth Stirling Haines committee honors that the land on which we gather today is treaty six territory and the ancestral home of many indigenous people including the Cree Soto Nakota Sioux, Stoney Creek Iroquois ah as well as the Blackfoot Dene, and Matey nation region four. here near the banks of the North Saskatchewan River is a place where many first peoples met for 10s of 1000s of years to tell their stories and share their knowledge. We recognize how fortunate we are to be able to do that today. As we celebrate all we have gained and achieved on this land. We reflect on what others have lost in the process. Humbly we stand here today in celebration and reflection for all whose stories have yet to be told. My name is April Brannigan. I must thank you. I am a sterling committee member and your host for today's event. godowsky and Associates and the 2023 Sterling committee are proud to present the 35th annual Elizabeth Sterling Haynes awards, celebrating professional theatre in Edmonton. The Sterling awards were created to enhance the profile of live professional theatre and bring about a greater awareness of the Performing Arts in our dynamic city. We have chosen Elizabeth Sterling Haines, a pioneer in the development of Alberta theatre. As an example of the dedication and achievement we seek to celebrate the 35th annual Elizabeth Sterling Haynes awards will take place right here at Fringe Theatre Arts Barnes at 1003. Nope, 10330 I'm sorry, God. I'll start that again. 10330 at Fourth Avenue on Monday June 26, beginning at 5pm for cocktails with an add on option of French inspired charcuterie boxes for two from one of Edmonton is hottest new riff restaurants partake. The show will begin promptly at 7pm The ceremony will also be ASL interpreted and available for live stream for any of those not able to attend in person. After the show, we will celebrate with dancing and regaling right here in the Westbury lobby with the prom queens. The Sterling awards resident DJs in an effort to keep ticket prices accessible, we are offering tiered ticket pricing with a number of no cost or pay what you will tickets available on a first come first serve basis when tickets for the June 26 event goes on sale. Right after the nominees are announced today. Tickets can be purchased online anytime at tickets dot fringe theatre.ca over the phone by calling 780-409-1910 or in person at the fringe box office Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. The show will be written by myself and Sue Gilbert, then directed by Kate Ryan and stage managed by Stephen sobolewski. So below ski story, Stephen the event is produced by the Elizabeth Stirling Haynes awards committee and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the generous sponsorship of the Edmonton Arts Council theatre Alberta. Canadian Actors Equity Association, Accra players de novo, the next x rapid fire theater, the Canadian Institute for theater technology production world and get AUSkey and Associates. Our sponsors make the Stirling's possible and this year we are excited to announce that the new Sterling statuettes will be designed and created by Edmonton own designer production manager and entrepreneur extraordinaire Tessa stamp
this year Sterling hosts are an outrageously charming pair. We are thrilled to announce that the 2023 award gala will be hosted by two delicious dynamos. She is the beloved performer, writer, Administrator, co artistic producer of art of asthma theater and future ruler of the world. And he is an artistic director a world class improviser a venue creator, a community builder and a bonafide cool dad. Sue Gober, Dan and Matt Sherman.
The Ross Hill Award for Outstanding Achievement in production honors the experts behind the scenes for a body of work exemplifying a career of distinction and accomplishment. This year's recipient is Mel Geary since wilpattu At the end of so, many nice things to say about now, since 1987. Mel has embraced the ever changing digital technologies in lighting, video and interactive media with the Department of drama at the University of Alberta Mel's behind the scenes expertise has been notable in Eddington's performing arts scene, and he is currently active in developing interactive arts events. Recent work includes several immersive experiences at dark Fort Edmonton immersive Halloween events. Mel is also the Production Development developer with Edmonton digital digital art technology company moment discovery, whose tech advances body whose tech advances body computing as an art form. Congratulations to this year's recipient of the Ross Hill Award for Outstanding Achievement in production, Mel Geary.
The Margaret Mooney Award for Outstanding Achievement in administration, honors and administrator who is most embodied the hard work and excellence that professional theater demands. This year's recipient is a woman whose profound skill and efficiency as an administrator is matched only by her incredible skill as a performer. The extraordinary Coralie Karen's core Lee has been a member of the core team running shadow theatre for the past 25 years. From accounts manager to General Manager to stage manager she has managed it all. She was part of the creation of the Barcelona theatre Alliance, and she continues as Accounts Manager for shadow theatre and the Barcelona. Congratulations to this year's recipient of the Margaret Mooney Award for outstanding achievement and administration. Coralie Karen
the award for outstanding contribution to theatre in Edmonton is the greatest honor that we can be still. Pardon me.
It's an emotional one. This year. We are proud to honor our own Judy Unwin Eddington's most tireless professional volunteer theatre artists, Judy was the original ingenue at walterdale theatre as long running Klondike melodramas, which ran each summer for 35 years. Eventually, she went on to direct and produce that events. Judy wore so many hats over at the walterdale Theatre, which at over 60 years old is one of Canada's oldest community theaters. Judy was an actor, a director, a board member, a board president, a set builder, box office chairperson and opening night party hostess extraordinaire Judy was a core member of the Sterling awards committee from 1993 until to 2018. That is 25 years of spearheading this company's volunteer run initiative. That's quite a commitment. She was a much beloved or scone a board member from 1996 until 2022. That is 26 years of volunteer support offered tirelessly once again to her community. In January of this year, the great Judy Unwin made her final curtain call at the age of 77. This celebration of our amazing community would not be what it is without the time and energy and heart that she selflessly poured into it. Our hearts are very heavy that she's no longer with us. But her work and her community spirit live on in all of us. Congratulations to this year's recipient of the award for outstanding contribution to theatre in Edmonton. Judy Unwin.
Okay, now, this year's 14 jurors in two distinct divisions saw over 100 professional productions from this time a year ago, up to May 31 of this year. All jurors vote using completely secret ballots on a five point weighted scale. The resulting nominees are kept completely secret by our Sterling accountants until the moment they are revealed today. So on to the nominees. Special thank you to our accountants Richard dang and Darlene get AUSkey from get AUSkey and associates who gathered and calculated the results you're about to hear. Our community is unique. Our artists create across a multitude of mediums in unexpected places in unexpected ways. I am continually inspired by the artists who expand the theater experience two of those artists are Megan Dart and undress Moreno. They are creators, playwrights, directors and producers. They are mentors and makers of space for new voices. They embody the spirit of collaboration and I am happy to have them here to announce this year Sterling nominees. Please welcome the executive director of fringe theatre, Megan Dart and the creative director of traversing the Azmuth Andras Moteino.
Well, Hi Pals. Happy afternoon. Shall we get into it? Let's do it. Okay, an important thing to note before we get going in the categories where there are six nominees, there was a tie for the fifth place nomination. And as such these categories will honor the tied votes with six nominations.
Alright, let's get started. So outstanding fringe director.
The net Smith ride the cyclone uniform theater and Skoda alumni Theatre Company.
Right and do set Walter Hansie craze productions.
Trevor Schmidt crack in the mirror guys in disguise.
Christy Hanson fake and bake oh hello productions
Carmen Oh, Sahar and Jesse are adjourned the big sad the Fox Den collective
for outstanding fringe Performance by an Ensemble ride the
cyclone uniform theater and Skoda alumni Theatre Company, Walter pantsy craze productions, the earthling Sona alumni Theatre Company,
destination Vegas was giggling productions.
Crack in the mirror guys in disguise
and fags in space, low hanging fruits,
outstanding fringe performance by an individual
Rebecca Merkley Jesus. Jesus teaches us things damaged Tammy productions.
Rebecca Merkley. Jesus teaches us things dammit. Tammy productions.
Jake tactic. Jake Tkachuk white guy, white guy on stage talking in his in productions,
Liam salmon bags in space low hanging fruits,
and Seth Gilfillan. And Steven alread for conjoined straight edge theater.
got so many more pages to go. All right outstanding fringe production,
ride the cyclone uniform theater and Skoda alumni Theatre Company.
Jesus teaches us things dammit Tammy productions
crack in the mirror guys in disguise. bags in space low hanging fruits conjoined straight edge theater.
All right outstanding artistic achievement for young audiences.
Jana O'Connor playwright Control Alt Delete concrete theater
Shreya Patel, choreographer Jack and the Beanstalk, Alberta musical theatre company.
David Anderson performer Jack and the Beanstalk, Alberta musical theatre company,
Corbin Kushner Eric director Control Alt Delete concrete theater,
Z M. zoobi. Set impromptus set and props design control alt delete concrete theater.
outstanding production for young audiences
Control Alt Delete concrete theater
Jack and the Beanstalk Alberta musical theatre company.
All right now Outstanding Individual Achievement in production.
Evan Gill crest production designer and builder
cat Evans Production Manager
Andrea handle Rivera stage manager
Tristan fair house technician
and Nancy Yuan stage manager
right outside outstanding choreography or fight direction.
Shaquille rollick the royal Citadel theatre
Ainsley Hilliard all the little animals I have eaten shadow theatre,
Amber robotic Elina Pyretic production,
Morgan Yamada, Deathtrap Tatra live
and Julio Quintus prison dancer Citadel theatre.
Now for outstanding musical director,
Shannon Hiebert, Sweeney Todd plain Jane theater,
Jennifer TAVR Sebata matar Edmonton Opera
Simon Abbott Jason Kenny's hot boys summer Grindstone theatre,
Stephen Greenfield, Jersey Boys, Citadel theatre,
and Keirsey Rand present dancer Citadel theatre we're there we're getting there are almost no we're not so many pages.
Outstanding sound design.
Aaron Makary. Alina Pyretic productions
David Clark L'Oreal Citadel theatre.
Daniela Fernandez 100 words for snow Northern Light theater,
Darren haggin Subscribe or like workshop Western playwrights theater.
Darren Hogan and Morag Northy the innocence of trees theater network.
Outstanding score of a player musical
Romeo Candido prison dancer Citadel theatre,
Hawksley Workman, almost a full moon Citadel theatre
Simon Abbott and Byron Martin Jason Kenny's hot boys summer Grindstone theater.
For rod hos Ravi and the HEDIS productive Republic, our Tosh productions
Darren Haagen unsung Tales from the frontline workshop West playwrights theatre
outstanding multimedia design. Hugh Conacher network Citadel theatre, s Katie Tucker or faith plus Edmonton Opera.
Matt Sherman 100 words for snow Northern Light theatre.
T Aaron Gruber with Rebecca cipher for the space between us the space between stars from skirts of fire.
And in Jackson subscribe or like workshop West playwrights theater.
Outstanding lighting design.
Steve Lucas, the Royal Citadel theatre
Narada mackeral Listen, listen Tatra live
cat Evans freaky green eyes Screaming Mantis in association with punctuate theatre and fringe theatre,
Roy Jackson enough Northern Light theatre and
Alison Hinata 100 words for snow Northern Light theatre,
outstanding costume design
Joyce Padwa prison dancer Citadel theatre,
Leona BROZEN, Jersey Boys Citadel theatre
Deanna finman Pride and Prejudice Citadel theatre,
Rachel Forbes, the Royal Citadel theatre,
Sarah ydA trouble in mind Citadel theatre and royal Manitoba Theatre Center.
Outstanding set design
Stephanie Ben yet Alina Pyretic productions,
Lorenzo's Savoy uni network Citadel theatre
Yetta Hackathorn freaky green eyes Screaming Mantis and association with punctuate theatre and fringe theatre,
Scott Reed clue Citadel theatre,
and Alison Janata 100 words for snow Northern Light theater. Okay. All right.
Outstanding director
Andre sells the royal Citadel theatre.
Trevor Schmidt 100 words for snow Northern Light theater.
Alexandra Dawkins, all the little animals I have eaten shadow theatre,
Kate Ryan Sweeney Todd playing Jane Theatre Company and
me echo Gucci Pride and Prejudice Citadel theatre
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a play or musical
prison dancers Citadel theatre,
Jason Kenny's hot boy summer Grindstone theater.
All the little animals I have eaten shadow theater, Pride and Prejudice Citadel theatre and Sweeney Todd plain Jane Theatre Company,
outstanding performance in a Supporting Role musicals
at a Phung or Fe Edmonton Opera.
Deanna Del Rosario, prison dancer Citadel theatre
Malikai Wilkins Jason Kenny's hot boys summer Grindstone theater.
Abby Vandenberg, Jason Kenny's hot boys summer Grindstone theater
and Vance Avery Sweeney Todd plain Jane Theatre Company.
Outstanding Performance and a supporting role plays
Jamila McNeil the royal Citadel theatre,
Ben Elliot, Pride and Prejudice Citadel theatre
Nadine Chu, Pride and Prejudice Citadel theatre
Mohammed Ahmed, the Royal Citadel theatre.
Andrea house the wrong people have money shadow theatre,
Dana Lee Hoffman all the little animals I have eaten shadow theatre
outstanding performance in a Leading Role musical
Julio Fuentes, present dancers Citadel theatre,
Sheldon elter Sweeney Todd plain Jane Theatre Company,
Donovan werken Jason Kenny's hot boy summer Grindstone theater,
fairing, Tim Mateo. Jersey Boys Citadel theatre,
Christie Hanson Sweeney Todd playing Jade Theatre Company.
All right, outstanding performance in a Leading Role Play
Davina Stewart squeamish Northern Light theatre,
Austin Eckert the royal Citadel theatre
Dana Lee Hoffman. 100 words for snow Northern Light theater,
Raya, yes DiMera Anahita is Republic Oh, Tosh productions.
Kristen Johnson enough Northern Light theater
and Maryland Ryan the innocence of trees theater network.
Last Last
for more categories. Okay.
Outstanding New Play Award to play right.
Carly nice in my own little corner Common Ground Art Society.
Byron Martin and Simon Abbott. Jason Kenny's hot boys summer Grindstone theater.
Evan Gill crest reconstruct Common Ground Art Society,
Darren Hoggin 10 funerals shadow theatre
and Leanna mukou. Alina Pyretic productions
outstanding independent production of a play, smoke tiny bear Jaws reconstruct Common Ground Art Society.
And he does Republic Oh Tosh productions
in my own little corner Common Ground Art Society
and boy trouble a Morris projects.
All right, the Timothy Ryan Award for outstanding production of a musical prison dancers Citadel theatre, Sweeney Todd playing Jain Theatre Company,
Jason Kenny's hot boys summer rhinestone theater,
Jersey Boys Citadel theatre and Joni
Mitchell songs of a prairie girl theater network and Wildside productions
and now for outstanding production of a play. This is the last
one. Okay. The Riau Citadel, theatre,
network Citadel theatre,
all the little animals I have eaten shadow theatre
100 words for snow Northern Light theater
and Pride and Prejudice Citadel theatre.
Give it up for all the nominees. Thank you.
Wow, good job. That is a mouthful. Thank you to everyone who helped put this together. Jody, thank you so much, Megan and undress. We really appreciate you doing this. Thank you. for bearing with me through a very emotional tribute. And congratulations to all the nominees. We will see you all right here at Fringe Theatre on June 26. Tickets are on sale now. At fringe at sorry, I tickets dot fringe theatre.ca