And the Winner Is ...

HCPAC hosts its annual Alty Awards

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title and Holt Wrecker)

For the volunteers and performers who keep community theater alive in Athens, Sunday afternoon was a chance to take a bow.

The Henderson County Performing Arts Center hosted its annual Alty Awards Sunday, celebrating the actors, directors, crew members and volunteers who helped bring the theater’s recent productions to life. The event recognized work both on stage and behind the scenes across plays, musicals and youth productions during the past season.

Top honors went to “Fiddler on the Roof,” which was named Best Musical, while “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” earned the award for Best Play (casts pictured). I had the chance to see both productions during their runs, and what stood out most was the number of people it takes to make community theater work.

The Alty Awards highlight those efforts across comedy, drama and musical theater, along with directing, technical work and volunteer service. The awards also recognize standout performances and the many volunteers whose work backstage and in production roles helps bring each show to life.

This year’s winners are listed below.

Best in Comedy

• Best Actor: T. Gordon Mayhall in Southern Hospitality

• Best Actress: Kara Davis in Southern Hospitality

• Best Supporting Actor: Cameron Griffis in Southern Hospitality

• Best Supporting Actress: Fran Bardwell in Southern Hospitality

• Best Cameo: Paula Graves in Southern Hospitality

Best in Drama

• Best Actor: T. Gordon Mayhall in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

• Best Actress: Elizabeth Teague in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

• Best Supporting Actor: Cisco Flores in Dracula

• Best Supporting Actress: Katrina Johnson in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

• Best Cameo: Matt Butterfield in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Best in Musical – Youth

• Best Actor: E. Robb in SpongeBob the Musical: Youth Edition

• Best Actress: Nina Cleaver in Annie

• Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johnson in SpongeBob the Musical: Youth Edition

• Best Cameo: Mason Harrison in Annie

• Best Ensemble: The Orphans in Annie – Nina Cleaver, Scarlett Johnson, Jolene Laughery, Elizabeth DeCastro, Briar Carmean, Cayla Hemphill, Lainee Craig, Scarlett Davis, Bella Dickerson, and Elly Mendoza

Best in Musical – Adult

• Best Actor: Timm Zitz in Fiddler on the Roof

• Best Actress: Katrina Johnson for Anni

• Best Supporting Actor: T. Gordon Mayhall for Annie

• Best Supporting Actress: Elizabeth Teague in Annie

• Best Cameo (Male): Eric Davis in Fiddler on the Roof

• Best Cameo (Female): Kristen Stewart in Fiddler on the Roof

• Best Ensemble: Kyle Johnson, Chris Clark, Ty Martin, Jari Martin, and T. Gordon Mayhall in Fiddler on the Roof

Directing and Production Awards

• Best Director – Play: Joclyn Ewers for Dracula

• Best Assistant Director – Play: Laken Jenkins for Southern Hospitality

• Best Director – Musical: Pat Jousan-Williams for Fiddler on the Roof

• Best Assistant Director – Musical: Liz Foote for Fiddler on the Roof

• Best Choreographer: Maria Ogburn for Fiddler on the Roof

• Best Stage Manager: Rebekah Craig for Annie

• Best Assistant Stage Manager: Chris Clark for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Volunteer Recognition

• Volunteer MVP: Kaitlyn Martin

• Backstage MVP: Alyce Pine

Special Awards

• Technical Award: Wes Akin

• Set Builder/Designer: Eric Davis

• Music Directors: Liz Foote and JT Foote