The awards are named for the late Jack Blackburn, who was a prominent actor, director and designer for many years at the 52-year-old community theater.
Awards of excellence for best play included: Matthew Smith, director; Anita Bachmann, lighting design; Barbara Coriell, lead actress and Chuck Larkowski, supporting actor, in the drama “Wit”; David Williamson, lead actor, and the cast, for best ensemble, in “Bill W. and Dr. Bob”; Jennie Yeaman, lead actress, and Jeff Campbell, supporting actor, in “Christmas Bells.”
Awards of excellence in a musical went to: Chris Harmon, director and set design; Ron Kindel, musical director; Anita Bachman, lighting; Anthony Fende, sound; Annette Looper, choreography; Danika Haffenden, lead actress; David Sherman, lead actor; Charles Larkowski, supporting actor, and the cast, for best ensemble, all for “The Producers”; Errik Hood, vocal direction; Erin Winslow, costumes, and Charity Farrell, supporting actress, in “The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and Richard Croskey, lead actor in “La Cage aux Folles.”
Honorees for achievement in a play were: Dodie Lockwood, director; John Falkenbach, lighting; Geoff Burkham, lead actor and Pam McGinnis, supporting actress, in “Bill W. and Dr. Bob”; Elaine Smith, lead actress and Matthew Smith, supporting actor, in “Christmas Bells”; Amy Brooks, lead actress, in “Beyond Therapy”; Cassandra Engber, lead actress, in “Die, Mommy, Die”; Jonathan Berry, supporting actor, and the cast, for best ensemble, in “Wit.”
Achievement in a musical: Natalie Houliston, director; Joe Whatley, musical director; John Findley, lighting; Erika Hamilton, choreoraphy; Corinne Derusha, lead actress; Lindsay Sherman and Hannah Berry, supporting actress; Errik Hood and Matthew Smith, supporting actor, and the cast, best ensemble, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”; Chris Harmon, set design, and Michael Boyd, lead actor, “La Cage”; and Josh Hollister, costumes; Terry Lupp, supporting actress, and Jonathan Berry, supporting actor, “The Producers.”
Special awards went to Nick Moberg, Volunteer of the Year; Matthew Smith, Chairman’s Award for Service, and Deb McNeff, Lifetime Membership.
Bit parts
Playhouse South will have auditions for the cabaret-style production “In the Spotlight” from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17 at Clark Haines Theatre in the Barnes Board of Education Building, 3700 Far Hills Ave., Kettering. Callbacks will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 19. The production will include songs from the musicals “Next to Normal,” “Wicked,” “Ragtime,” “Aida,” “Legally Blonde,” “Bare: A Pop Opera” and “Batboy.” Contact Angie Thacker, director, for more information at (937) 830-2693.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@Dayton DailyNews.com.
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