Fellowship Winners

The CUTC Fellowship is awarded to a candidate who is studying one of the performing arts disciplines, including but not limited to dance, theater, technical theater, voice, music education, or instrumental performance, is a member of the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, and has participated in at least one CUTC production in the last year.  Each fellowship winner received $250 toward his/her educational expenses.  This years Fellowship winners are:

Caitlyn Dobbs and Libby Mueller

Sue and Derek Kraybill Scholarship Winner

CUTC is also committed to supporting theatre and performing arts education. One way we do this is by administering the Sue & Derek Kraybill Scholarship and CUTC Fellowships. The Kraybill Scholarship is awarded to a candidate enrolled in a discipline related to theater and the performing arts, including but not limited to dance, theater, technical theater, voice, music education, or instrumental performance, is a member of the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, has participated in at least one CUTC production in the last year, and is planning to continue his or her education at a college or graduate school. The scholarship winner receives a $500 scholarship. This year's Sue & Derek Kraybill Scholarship was awarded to:
 

Charles Miericke

Special Backstage Scholarship

A one time scholarship which was funded by Mary Claire Smith & Janet Leroy (King & I producers) in honor of all the hardworking members of their backstage crew.  The scholarship winner receives $200.  The winner of this year's scholarship goes to:

 Charles Miericke.

 

Ginny Awards
2006 CUTC Ginny Awards Recognizes Volunteers

As a not-for-profit theatre organization, CUTC relies on community volunteers for a wide-range of services from acting to set design to costuming to sound to lighting. Each year we recognize our volunteers for their onstage and backstage contributions through the Annual Ginny Awards.

CUTC volunteers and invited guests met on Saturday, February 17th for the 2006 Annual Ginny Award presentations. The festive event was held at Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign where we celebrated the past season and all the hard work that went to putting it on.  We had entertainment provided by the Ginny Singers - April Smith, Annie Goold, Jim Dieker, Ethan Berl, and Steve Wachala, ably accompanied by Carol Dobbs.  Bravo.

The 2006 CUTC Ginny Award Winners are:

Outstanding Dance Performance - the dance ensemble of the Oliver cast for their performance in “Consider Yourself”

Outstanding Comedic Moment - Nico Perez-Jandrich and Anastasia Bishop for their performance in the wedding scene of Les Miserables

Outstanding Musical Moment - Jaise Allen for "Bring Him Home" in Les Miserables

Outstanding Upcoming Actress - Caitlyn Prosser for her performance as Bet in Oliver

Outstanding Upcoming Actor - Dante Dobbs for his performance as Oliver in Oliver

Outstanding Supporting Actress - Annie Goold for her performance as Fantine in Les Miserables

Outstanding Supporting Actor - Mike Harvey for his performance as the Artful Dodger in Oliver

Outstanding Dramatic Moment - the Students and Revolutionaries for the final battle scene in Les Miserables

Outstanding Actress in Lead Role - Caitlyn Dobbs for her performance as Eponine in Les Miserables

Outstanding Actor in Lead Role - Jaise Allen for his performance as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables

The nominations for the above awards came from a blue ribbon panel who came to all the shows and then met after each one to decide on the nominations for each category.  The blue ribbon panel was made up of Prue Runkle, Dawn Harris, Susan Abbott, David Barkley, and Anita Stein.  After all the nominations were assembled, members of the company were allowed to vote by mail or over the internet.

The Ginny "Glitter" Awards are very special awards from the CUTC Board of Directors that recognize behind-the-scenes contributions. It's often noted that for every actor on stage, there are two or three times that many people behind the scenes who help create the magic that happens on stage.

The Great Heart Award is for overall contribution to a project that came from the heart. This year's award was presented to Doug Young for all of his efforts on “Barnum”.  In addition to playing the lead role, Doug made several costumes,  did every promotional event we had, taught circus skills to the cast, and went into schools to work with local kids.

The Guiding Light Award is for volunteering in front of the house. This year's winner of the Guiding Light Award was Brenda Lambert.  Brenda has worked at the membership table for the past year passing out information, selling T-shirts, and just being a friendly face for people coming into the theatre.   She has also enlisted her husband and one of her sons to help on occasion.

The Go-Getter Award is designated for someone who is willing to do anything behind the scenes.  Suzanne Lee is being honored this year for her outstanding work as a kid wrangler for “King & I” and “Oliver”.   Suzanne organized parents to help keep kids occupied when not “on stage” during rehearsal and performances.  And they organized the movement of the kids from wherever they were staying during the show, back and forth to the stage as they were needed. 

Also recognizing the "hands on" volunteer efforts backstage is The Greasepaint Award.  The award this year went to Dusty Cory & April Smith.   Dusty has worked for many shows backstage as a sound tech – making sure that everyone had their microphones and that they were on and working.   April has worked in many capacities.  She has worked as a master electrician.  She has helped build & paint numerous sets and been there for hair & makeup whenever called upon.

As a volunteer community theatre we each wear many different hats so The Gypsy Award recognizes involvement and extra effort by a chorus member. This year's winners are Ethan Berl and Alyssa Digges for their outstanding performances as Understudies during Les Miserables.   The show was not cast with understudies up front but we did have a couple of cast members get sick to the point of not being able to go on.  Alyssa & Ethan stepped in at the last minute to fill those roles as needed.

The Guts and Glory Award recognizes unique contribution to the company. This years award is made to Kathleen Fuller.   Kathleen came to a murder mystery a year ago and then volunteered to participate in them.  When we were asked by a prospective murder mystery host if we had a mystery plot that revolved around the sinking of the Titanic, Kathleen wrote one.  When we were asked if we had a plot that could be used at a local tourist attraction, she wrote one.   When we suggested a fun plot would be one taking place in a WWII USO Canteen, she wrote one.

The Glitter Award was presented to Patti Hood.  When we lost our costumer for Les Miserables at the last minute, Patti stepped in a filled the gap beautifully.  Not only did she costume the entire cast, but she cleaned the basement every night.  Definitely above and beyond the call.

The Gifted Giant Award for artistic and technical contributions went to Randy Tucker & Bob Weber.   Bob was in charge of building the turntable for Les Miserables which was no small feat.   And Randy did a masterful job of stage managing that show which had more technical challenges than any other show we have done.

The Generous Giving Award is for the Board member who has given above and beyond the call of duty. The award winner this year was Bob Weber for his work on the costume vault, rebuilding the props storage area, leading a task force to evaluate the possibility of purchasing the Orpheum Theater, and his heavy involvement in the first student production.

The Golden Award for overall contributions to the theatre company went to Smith Burgett Architects who sponsored our production of “Barnum”.   The sponsorship paid the costs involved with having Doug Young here to go into schools and put on his one man school show.   The show demonstrated several magic tricks for the kids and it highlighted the benefits of working together.

Thanks to all who made this a very memorable occasion, especially Jeff Chandler, April Smith, Andy Blacker, and Cindy Havice.

 

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