May 26, 2015
An informal affiliation of local arts critics have recognized the year’s most exceptional achievements in dance, classical music, visual arts and theatre. The Department of Theatre and Dance productions, students, faculty, alumni and friends are well represented on this year’s list of nominations. Earning significant attention was the department's spring 2015 production of Refugia, created with the Moving Company, and alumnus Robert Schenkkan's Tony Award-winning play, All The Way (ZACH Theatre).
Winners will be announced on June 1 at 7:00pm at the Cap City Club in Austin, Texas.
Theatre Nominees
Production, Drama
All The Way (ZACH Theatre) by Robert Schenkkan (B.A. 1975)
Refugia (The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance)
Production, Comedy
Detroit (Capital T Theatre), Lisa D’Amour (M.F.A. 1996)
Peter and the Starcatcher (ZACH Theatre), Nicholas Garza (cast, current student), Luke Linsteadt (cast, attended), Julie Maury (Assistant Stage Manager, current student)
100 Heartbreaks, Joanna Garner (current student)
Bright Now Beyond (Salvage Vanguard Theatre), Will Davis (Director, M.F.A. 2013), Daniel Alexander Jones (Playwright, former faculty). Cast Members: Jacques Coliman (B.A. 2014), Nitra Guitierrez (M.F.A. 2009), Alexis Scott (M.F.A. 2013). Crew: Mercedes O'Bannion (Costume Design, M.F.A. 2015), Caleb Britton (Assistant Director, B.A. 2014), Leilah Stewart (Scenic Design, M.F.A. 2008), Lisa Laratta (Painter, M.F.A. 2008)
Chicago (Half & Half Productions), M. Scott Tatum (B.F.A. 2013), Julianna E. Wright (B.A. 2003)
Direction
Dominique Serrand, Refugia (The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance)
M. Scott Tatum (B.F.A. 2013) and Julianna Wright (B.A. 2003), Chicago (Half & Half Productions)
Acting in a Leading Role
Jacques Coliman (B.A. 2014), Bright Now Beyond (Salvage Vanguard Theatre)
Leslie Holingsworth (B.A. 2005), Chicago (Half & Half Productions)
Marc Pouhé (attended), Cyrano de Bergerac/The Mountaintop/The Taming of the Shrew
Acting in a Supporting Role
Christina Baldwin, Refugia (The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance)
Steven Epp, Refugia (The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance)
Ensemble Performance
Everything is Established (Physical Plant Theatre), Michael Joplin (Ensemble, B.A. 2004)
Music Direction
Lyn Koenning (faculty member), Chicago (Summer Stock Austin)
Movement
Brazie Mata Adamez (B.A. 2004), Chicago (Half & Half Productions)
David Mark Cohen New Play Award
Cenicienta, Rupert Reyes (B.F.A. 1976)
Refugia, Steven Epp
Teen Girl FANtasies, Kimberly Belflower (current student) and Megan Tabaque (current student); Premiered as part of the 2015 Cohen New Works Festival at The University of Texas at Austin.
The Theory of Substitution, C. Denby Swanson (M.F.A. 2000)
Dance Nominees
Dance in Concert
Belle Redux/A Tale of Beauty and the Beast (Ballet Austin), Michael B. Raiford (Productin design, M.F.A. 1990)
There, the Magnificent (Kathy Dunn Hamerick Dance Co.), Kathy Dunn Hamerick (B.A. 1981)
Short Work
The Backup Dancer: Bits and Acts From the Night Train (Gold Show/Rose Show), Julie Nathanielsz (Production design, M.F.A. 2009)
Choreographer
Kathy Dunn Hamerick (B.A. 1981), There, the Magnificent/Briefs: An Episodic Adventure (Salvage Vanguard Theater)
Karen Nelson and ensemble, The Tuning Project (ensemble members: Kirsche Dickson (B.A. 1994) and Julie Nathanielsz (M.F.A. 2009)
Dancer
Mariclaire Gamble (B.F.A. 2010), Briefs: An Episodic Adventure (Salvage Vanguard Theater)
Julie Nathanielsz (M.F.A. 2009), Yo Genesis
Nicole Whiteside (B.F.A. 2003), In Light
Duet
Ellen Bartel (M.F.A. 2012) dancing with Heloise Gold, 1000 Forest Gorillas in Kansas
Ensemble
In Habitants (Ready|Set|Go!), Ensemble: Emily Boykin (B.A. 2011), Aaron Taylor (B.A. 2005), Crew: Errin Delperdang (Director, B.F.A 2004), Kelly Hasandras (Co-director, B.A. 2005), Ellen Bartel (Choreography, M.F.A. 2012)
Kathy Dunn Hamerick (B.A. 1981) Dance Company, There, the Magnificent/Briefs: An Episodic Adventure (Salvage Vanguard Theater)
Design Nominees
Scene Design
Richard M. Isackes (faculty) and Wendall Harrington (guest faculty), A Masked Ball (Austin Opera)
Lisa Laratta (M.F.A. 2008), The Suicide (Paper Chairs)
Michael Raiford (M.F.A. 1990), Kiss Me, Kate (Texas State University Department of Theatre & Dance)
Costume Design
Pam Fletcher Friday (B.F.A. 1979), Stone Soup
Alison Heryer (M.F.A. 2010), The King and I (ZACH Theatre)
Mercedes O’Bannion (current M.F.A. candidate), Refugia (The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance)
Michael Raiford (M.F.A. 1990), Belle Redux/A Tale of Beauty and the Beast (Ballet Austin)/Kiss Me, Kate (Texas State University Department of Theatre & Dance)
Lighting Design
Michelle Habeck (current faculty) A Masked Ball (Austin Opera), All the Way (ZACH Theatre)
Sound Design
Bill Henry (current faculty), Refugia (The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance)
Music Nominees
Ensemble
Conspirare, Mela Dailey (current faculty)
Special Citations
Deacon Crain Award for Student Work
Patrick Shaw (M.F.A. 2015)
View the complete list of the 2015 Austin Critics Table Award nominees here.