Ginny Awards
2008 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, January 24th for the 2008 Annual Ginny Award presentations. The festive event was held at I Hotel , Champaign where we celebrated the past season and all the hard work that went to putting it on.

The 2008 CUTC Ginny Award Winners are:

Outstanding Dance Performance - "One More Angel in Heaven" - Jacob Lambert as "Levi" & Brothers & Wives, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Outstanding Comedic Moment - “Dying Laughing” – Michael Steen as “Dentist”, in  Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Musical Moment - “Supertime” – David Barclay, Kari Croop, April Blacker, and Whitney Havice as “Voice of Audrey II, Ronette, Crystal, Chiffon”, Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Upcoming Actress - Francesca Johnson as “Ursula” in Bye Bye Birdie

Outstanding Upcoming Actor - Jacob Lambert as "Levi" in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Outstanding Supporting Actress - Linda Van Polen as “Mrs. Mushnick” in Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Supporting Actor - Mike Steen as “Dentist” in Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Dramatic Moment - "Close Every Door to Me – Jaise Allen as “Joseph”, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Outstanding Actress in Lead Role - Miranda Fessler and Jamie Prosser as “Narrators” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Outstanding Actor in Lead Role - Jaise Allen as “Joseph” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

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 Jan Chandler, Jeff Goldberg, and Jeff Marshall.  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 Andy Blacker for his jumping in to provide scenic design for a third show as he was trying to plan a wedding and had a leading role in the show.

The Guiding Light Award is for volunteering in front of the house. This year's winner of the Guiding Light Award was Ann Hodge for her help with the Membership table.

The Go-Getter Award is designated for someone who is willing to do anything behind the scenes. Steve Ammidown found CUTC on the web when he moved to town and got involved in scenic construction for all the shows then co-chaired the construction of the set for Joseph.

Also recognizing the "hands on" volunteer efforts backstage is The Greasepaint Award.  The award this year went to Kathleen Carroll for her help making costumes during tech week for Joseph and Little Shop.

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 winner is Monica Samii who took over managing the 10 plus costume changes of the "shoo-wop" girls in Little Shop of Horrors as well as helping with promotions and morale.

The Guts and Glory Award recognizes unique contribution to the company. This years award is made to Lauren Denofrio  for scheduling many, many promotional events and organizing a large opening night carnival and Lisa Lynch for organizing the largest playbill ad campaign that netted close to $10,000.

The Glitter Award was presented to Mary Hensley for creating 27 dresses for the "shoo-wop" girls in matching sets of three.

The Gifted Giant Award for artistic and technical contributions went to Ryan Summers for his dedicated and masterful puppeteering of Audrey II in three forms for Little Shop.

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 Jeff Chandler.

The Great Scott Award is awarded to Actors who support the company in the Seven Corpse Dinner Murder Mystery fund raiser.  This year's awards go to Les Schulte who always makes himself available to kill or be killed as needed and investigate.

The Golden Award for overall contributions to the theatre company went to Jim Turpin.

Thanks to all who made this a very memorable occasion, especially Prue Runkle, Anita Stein, Chris Harris, and Cindy Havice.

 

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