Renaissance Players to celebrate theatre season with gala, awards on Jan. 23

Release Date: 1/8/2009. Expired: 1/23/2009

The Renaissance Center will celebrate another successful season of community theatre when its hosts the 7th annual Renaissance Players Gala and Jimmy Awards on Friday, Jan. 23.

The free event begins with a gala reception in the rotunda at 6 p.m. followed by the presentation of the Jimmy Awards at 7 p.m. in the Performance Hall. Dress is business casual or formal.

Lisa Komisar of White Bluff (as Charlotte), Jon Kopischke of Dickson (as Lurvy), Michael Richardson of Dickson (as Wilbur) and Carey Thompson of Dickson (as Homer Zuckerman) in the Renaissance Players production of 'Charlotte's Web.'

Those planning to attend should RSVP to Amy Scott, assistant artistic director, at (615) 740-5551 or amy.scott@rcenter.org by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14.

The Jimmy Awards recognize achievement both on and behind the stage with a variety of awards for actors and crew members. Named in honor of Dr. Jimmy Jackson, founding chairman of The Renaissance Center, awards are presented in lead role, supporting role and featured role categories for plays and musicals, outstanding chorus member, best young actor and actress, outstanding technical crew member and three special award categories.

Fred Doty of Erin (as Harold Hill) in the Renaissance Players production of 'The Music Man.'

The Harold (formerly known as The Rising Star) is presented to the actor or actress who appeared in his or her first Renaissance Players production during the season. “The award recognizes the new face that not only impressed, but we’re sure to see again,” said Scott. “It has been renamed The Harold to honor Harold Fann, who received The Rising Star award in 2006 and was set to make his Gaslight Dinner Theatre debut in My Fair Lady when he passed away Feb. 12, 2008, just weeks after he won Best Supporting Actor in a Play for his performance in Dracula.”

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 passing in 2004.

Chris Norman of Dickson (as Charles Condomine), Tammie Whited of White Bluff (as Elvira Condomine) and Pam Funderburg of Leiper's Fork (as Ruth Condomine) in the Renaissance Players production of 'Blithe Spirit.'

The Renaissance Players Spirit Award is given to the Renaissance Players member, either on or behind the stage, who demonstrated consistent, overwhelming support throughout the season.

The Renaissance Players’ 2008 season consisted of productions of Charlotte’s Web, The Music Man, Blithe Spirit and Oliver!

Voting for the Jimmy Awards is open to any Renaissance Players member and patrons who saw all four productions. Ballots can be downloaded here, filled out and signed, then mailed to Jimmy Awards, The Renaissance Center, 855 Highway 46 S., Dickson, Tenn. 37055 or dropped off at the center. The deadline to turn in ballots is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Shane Kopischke of Dickson (as Oliver Twist) and Nicolas Fair of Fairview (as Artful Dodger) in the Renaissance Players production of 'Oliver!'

“More than 120 community members participated in a Renaissance Players production during 2008, either performing on stage or working behind the scenes,” said Scott. “What we’re especially proud of is the fact that 52 of those people were performing on The Renaissance Center stage for the very first time. This included children and adults who came from all over Middle Tennessee to participate, some of them driving more than an hour one way to rehearsals every day. After 42 community theatre shows over the last 10 years, the Renaissance Players continues to grow and create exciting new experiences for people.”

For more information on the 7th annual Renaissance Players Gala and Jimmy Awards, call (615) 740-5600 or visit www.rcenter.org. To RSVP for the gala, call (615) 740-5551 or email amy.scott@rcenter.org. To obtain a ballot for the Jimmy Awards, visit www.rcenter.org/Drama/08JimmyBallot.pdf or stop by The Renaissance Center.

The Renaissance Players are launching the 2009 season with a production of the musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress March 27-April 5. Auditions will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27. A workshop to help prepare for auditions will be 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. The workshop fee is $15.

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.

Visit the Theatre page for more about community and professional theatre.

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