5th annual Jimmy Awards to honor community theatre Players at Renaissance Center
Release Date: 12/19/2007. Expired: 1/18/2008
The 5th annual Jimmy Awards celebrating the community theatre program at The Renaissance Center in Dickson will be presented Friday, Jan. 18, at the Renaissance Players Gala.
The celebration begins with a reception in the rotunda at 6 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony in the Performance Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
The Jimmy Awards recognize achievement by cast and crew members in Renaissance Players productions at The Renaissance Center. They are named in honor of the late Dr. Jimmy Jackson, founding board chairman and visionary behind the not-for-profit arts education and performing arts center in Dickson.
Awards are given to actors and actresses from each season’s Renaissance Players productions in categories for Best Actor and Actress, Supporting Actor and Actress, Featured Actor and Actress for both plays and musicals. There also are awards for Outstanding Chorus Member and Best Actor and Actress Under 16. Additionally, the Jimmy Awards recognize those who work behind the scenes with the Outstanding Tech Crew Member Award. The 2006-07 categories include a new award: Best Dog in a Musical.
The Jimmy Awards also include three special categories.
The Mel Scene Stealer Award is presented to the cast member who can steal a scene by just walking on stage. It is named in honor of the late Mel Romine, who performed in several Renaissance Players productions prior to his death in 2004.
The Rising Star Award was created in 2005 to recognize an actor who appeared in his or her first Renaissance Players production during each season.
The Spirit Award is given to the Renaissance Players member, either on or behind the stage, who demonstrated consistent overwhelming support throughout the season.
Any member of the Renaissance Players or anyone who saw all of the productions in the season is eligible to vote. Ballots are available at The Renaissance Center or on its Web site at www.rcenter.org. The deadline to submit ballots is 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7.
The Jimmy Awards will be presented at the Renaissance Players Gala on Jan. 18 and all community theatre participants and supporters are invited to the program, which will include entertainment, a look back at each show of the 2006-07 season and a preview of the 2008 season. An RSVP is required for the Gala and the deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7.
The Renaissance Players 2006-07 season consists of productions of Dracula, Annie, Children of Eden, Cats, The Curious Savage and Peter Pan. More than 120 actors are nominated in 15 categories.
For more information on the Renaissance Players Gala, the 5th annual Jimmy Awards or the Renaissance Players community theatre program or to RSVP, contact Managing Director Amy Scott at (615) 740-5551 or amy.scott@rcenter.org.
The Renaissance Center is a fine arts education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.
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