September 29, 2015
Every year, the B. Iden Payne Council, a volunteer organization sponsored by the Austin Creative Alliance, is tasked with viewing and nominating outstanding production elements in Austin. This year, the Department of Theatre and Dance, its students, faculty, alumni, and friends were nominated for many awards in a broad range of categories. Congratulations!
The B. Iden Payne Awards will be announced on October 26, 2015 at the Long Center. Tickets now available. Attendees of the B. Iden Payne Awards Ceremony are also eligible to vote.
Nominations for Awards
2014-2015 Season
Theatre For Youth
Outstanding Production
Ashes, Ashes by Eve Tulbert (M.F.A. 2007), Scottish Rite Theater
Cenicienta produced by Rupert Reyes (B.F.A. 1976), ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Judy Matetzschk-Campbell (M.F.A. 1991, Ph.D. 1996), The Big Bolt, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Nat Miller (M.F.A. 2008), A Year With Frog and Toad, ZACH Theatre
Allen Robertson (M.F.A. 1992), Tortoise and Hare, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Actress
Uyen-Anh Dang (B.A. 2012) as "Jimmi," The Big Bolt, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Uyen-Anh Dang (B.A. 2012) as "Sarah," Sarah the Dinosaur, Pollyanna Theatre Compnay
Madison Palomo as "Esperanza," Esperanza Rising, The Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin
Music Theatre
Outstanding Production
Chicago with music direction from Lyn Koenning (faculty), Austin Playhouse
Outstanding Featured Actor
Michael Valentine (B.F.A. 1994) as "Fred," A Christmas Carol, ZACH Theatre
Comedies
Outstanding Production
Year of the Rooster, Starring Jason Liebrecht (B.F.A. 1995) and Julia Bauer (current student), Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress
Megan Rabuse (Attended) as "Ginny," Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Outstanding Featured Actor
Jason Liebrecht (B.F.A. 1996) as "Odysseus Rex," Year of the Rooster, Capital T Theatre
Dramas
Outstanding Production
Still Now by Katie Bender (M.F.A. 2014), directed by Rudy Ramirez (current Ph.D. candidate), Shrewd Productions
When the Rain Stops Falling, directed by Norman Blumensaadt (M.F.A. 1979), Different Stages
Outstanding Direction
Norman Blumensaadt (M.F.A. 1979), When the Rain Stops Falling, Different Stages
Outstanding Lead Actor
Keith Machekanyanga (current student) as "Gusev," Gusev, Breaking String Theater
Outstanding Featured Actor
Michael Joplin (B.A. 2004) as "Ryan," Am I White, Salvage Vanguard Theater
David Stahl (M.F.A. 1990) as "Polonius" and "First Gravedigger," Hamlet, SEU Mary Moody Northern Theatre
Improvisation
Rudy Kloptik Award for Outstanding Improvisational Troupe
The Knuckleball Now with Michael Joplin (B.A. 2004), Hideout Theatre, ColdTowne Theater and Institution Theater
Loverboy with Chelsea Bunn (B.A. 2010), ColdTowne Theater
Design and Tech
Outstanding Set Design
David Utley (M.F.A. 2006), The Last Five Years, Penfold Theatre Company
Outstanding Lighting Design
Sam Chesney (attended), Heathers, Doctuh Mistuh Productions
Michelle Habeck (faculty), Sophisticated Ladies, ZACH Theatre
Megan Reilly (M.F.A. 2007), Still Now, Shrewd Productions
Outstanding Media Design
Stephanie Busing (M.F.A. 2014), Now Then Again, Penfold Theatre Company
Patrick Lord (M.F.A. 2015), Esperanza Rising, The Department of Theatre and Dance at The Univeristy of Texas at Austin
General
Outstanding Dance Choreography
Erica Gionfriddo (faculty), Gusev, Breaking String Theater
Outstanding Fight Choreography
Erica Gionfriddo (faculty), Gusev, Breaking String Theater
Outstanding Original Script
Rupert Reyes (B.F.A. 1976), Cenicienta, ZACH Theatre
Outstanding Original Score
Joanna Garner (current student), 100 Heartbreaks
Allen Robertson (M.F.A. 1992), Tortoise and Hare, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Cast Performance
Nothing and Everything with Jordan T. Maxwell (B.A. 2005), Hideout Theatre
Outstanding Featured Music Performance
Julian Arizola, Robert Casillas and Joseph Quintana in Esperanza Rising, The Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin
Outstanding Young Performer
Genevieve Schroeder-Arce as "Isabel," Esperanza Rising, The Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin