ARTS à la Mode
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ARTS à la Mode

3rd Annual

2010 THEATRE RECOGNITION AWARDS


It’s the beginning of the awards season and there is no shortage of awards out there of every kind. Awards fatigue may eventually set in, but at AALM we understand that everyone likes to be validated and appreciated. It often happens that several people in a category may be worthy of an award, but only one can win. While no awards process can be totally fair some people are, in fact, over-rewarded and some under-rewarded.

We like to give awards from a different viewpoint. Our aesthetic is skewed considerably to the non-self-congratulatory type. As the steadfastly independent people we are, we give non-traditional awards to those who affect the theater community in a positive, though possibly unrecognized, manner. You may or may not have heard of some of these worthy folks, but they are working hard in the theatre community on your behalf. Only one award gives a nod to the negativity of some because it does happen. The rest of us don’t have the time, and we refuse to indulge in any type of contrary behavior. We believe in promoting the positive aspects of Charlotte theatre, and the people who make it work despite obstacles. So, in no particular order here are those we honor:


ARTS à la Mode -- Theatre Recognition Awards 2010
AWARD RECIPIENT
DESIGNING MEN Chip Decker & Robert Lee Simmons
these guys provide the most intriguing theatre sets in town at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte and Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), and that’s not easy to do with tight budgets.
COLLEGE DAZE Tom Hollis
the breadth of his theatre program at CPCC would intimidate even four year colleges, but he’s at a two year community college!
I'M HEARING YOU Elizabeth Peterson-Vita & Jim Vita
these talented folks quietly go about their business making quality high-caliber audio productions worthy of Grammy consideration.
CRAFTSMAN Tom Scott
is always professional, putting his all into any part he plays.
THE DIVINE MISS D Divina Cook
this mega-talented New York born/trained actress is breathtaking in action.
OUTSTANDING ACTOR Christopher Donoghue
is in a class by himself.
DIRECTORS' STOCK GOING UP Joe Copley, Craig Spradley, Craig Kolkebeck, Paige Johnston Thomas, Mark Sutton, Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, Phil Taylor, Jen Band, Glenn T. Griffin, Ron Chisholm.
ACTORS' STOCK GOING UP Tom Ollis, Shon Wilson, Alyson Lowe, Matthew Corbett, Whitney Drury, Chaz Pofahl, Paula Baldwin, J.R. Aducci, Steven B. Martin, Lisa Bradley Smith, Karina Roberts-Caporino, Kristian Wedolowski, Nick Iammatteo, Kevin Roberge, Kimberly Butler, Annette Saunders.
IT'S A MYSTERY Della Freedman
eight years of doing murder mystery dinner theatre has given About Town Tours that edge.
NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE John Hartness
a dedicated reader/writer who makes it his business to be informed on the literary front.
BEST SMILE WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL WHITENERS Maile Kim
she’s always a pleasure to deal with and a delightful sight at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte box office!
APPRECIATED AALM COLLEAGUE Larry Toppman
you can always count on Larry to be professional & honest in his reviews, and to have a good story to tell.
TECHIES ARE PEOPLE, TOO Eric Winkenwerder, Van Coble, Jr. & all at Children’s Theatre, Jay Thomas, Biff Edge, Jamie Varnadore, Kate VanderWood Shore, Chrtisty Edney, Robert Groghan, Gary Sivak, Anna Marie Gatto, Carlisle Kellam.
CAN WE KEEP HIM? Matt Cosper
Charlotte Theatre needs talented innovators; we lose too many of our most creative artists to frustration.
RAZZLE DAZZLE Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
they present not just the Broadway Series, but smaller shows from Off-Broadway, and musical and comedy acts. We’ve never had so much variety.
LET IT BE Charlotte Shakespeare
gets better every year, keep going!
GAME ON Quentin Talley
bringing quality theatre and increasing African-American theatre audiences.
REGIONAL RESPECT Old Courthouse Theatre
For overcoming: what doesn’t kill you, makes you better, by far...
PRIDE Kristian Wedolowski & Glenn T. Griffin
make Queen City Theatre a force in Charlotte theatre.
NEW COMPANY Warehouse Performing Arts Center
Marla Brown & company do great work, okay so you have to drive a little...
IT TAKES A SMART WOMAN Lydia Arnold
could anyone else have done as much for MTA after seven years as president?
POISON SOUP Negative people should stew together in their own juices, but...
OUR COMPLIMENTS To the entire theatre community for your passion and dedication. Thank you.
Congratulations to ALL!

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