Theatre Tuscaloosa Announces 2017-18 T. Earle Johnson Award Winners
August 27, 2018 – Theatre Tuscaloosa held the 23rd annual T. Earle Johnson Awards Ceremony on Sunday, August 19, 2018 in the Bean-Brown Theatre to acknowledge the 2017-18 winners.
Each year, Theatre Tuscaloosa holds its version of the Tony’s: The T. Earle Johnson Awards, which is lovingly shortened to “The T. Earles.” This program strives to recognize excellence demonstrated by Theatre Tuscaloosa performers, technicians, volunteers, patrons, sponsors, and contributors.
Audience members are encouraged to vote for the performance-related categories during and immediately after the summer musical each season.
Over the years, this program has grown with new categories and awards being added to recognize more and more people who invest their time, treasure, and talent to make Theatre Tuscaloosa the amazing organization it has become.
Elizabeth Ward received the Paul K. Looney “Our Ox is in the Ditch” Award for stepping into Drew Baker’s role when she fell ill during the run of The 39 Steps after only one day of rehearsing; Newcomer of the Year was awarded to Sue Hansen for helping out backstage during A Festival of One-Acts, Second Samuel and Once Upon a Mattress; Camille Mendle received the Jake Leigeber Volunteer of the Year Award for going above and beyond the call of duty and transforming the community outreach committee into the “fun committee;” Claire Friday received the Patron of the Year Award for her extraordinary contributions to the theatre; Cooper Shattuck received the Doug Perry Outstanding Service to the Theatre Award; and Ann Weeden received the Charlie Dennis “Bear It” Award for Technical Service.
The acting awards included the following:
- Carol DeVelice – Outstanding Featured Actress for her roles as Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol, Cornelia in Something Unspoken, and Marcela in Second Samuel
- Royce Garrison – Outstanding Featured Actor for his role as the Wizard in Once Upon a Mattress
- Grace Conner – Outstanding Supporting Actress for her roles as Lady Larken in Once Upon a Mattress and Belle in A Christmas Carol
- Alex Freeman – Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role as Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress
- Autumn Fuller – Outstanding Leading Actress for her role as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress
- Colton Crowe – Outstanding Lead Actor for his role as B Flat in Second Samuel
Carol DeVelice, Russell Frost, and Ava Buchanan were inducted into the All-Star Cast. The All-Star Cast was established last year. Inductees of this prestigious group must have received three prior T. Earle Awards. Once inducted, they are no longer eligible to be nominated for future awards. Honorees receive an All-Star Cast medal and are acknowledged on a plaque in the Wilson Carr Rehearsal Hall. Members of the All-Star Cast serve as mentors and ambassadors to new actors, technicians, and volunteers.
More details about the categories and the history of the T. Earle Johnson Awards are available at www.theatretusc.com or at 205.391.2277.
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Theatre Tuscaloosa is a 501c3 not-for-profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1971 through quality theatrical productions and educational outreach.
