For 25 years the 'Jessies' have been recognizing outstanding achievement in professional theatre in Vancouver.This year over 130 individuals have been nominated in more than 25 categories.
In the 'Large Theatre' category the nominations were shared among the theatre companies. Leading was Blackbird Theatre receiving a total of 11 nominations, with their production of "The Birthday Party" receiving 4 and "Peer Gynt" receiving a total of 7.
The Arts Club Theatre Company and the Playhouse Theatre Company both garnered 10 nominations for their various productions. "Recovery" by Rumble Theatre garnered 6 nominations in total, including Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Production.
In the 'Small Theatre' category, Pacific Theatre received 8 nominations with "Grace" receiving 6 of the nominations. Wild Excursions’ production of "Beggars Would Ride" garnered a total of 7 nominations and Ruby Slippers Theatre received 6 nominations for their production of "Trout Stanley". Carousel Theatre received 11 nominations, Green Thumb Theatre 10 nominations, and Axis Theatre received 5 nominations in the 'Theatre for Young Audiences' category.
The nominees for the 'Critics’ Choice Innovation Award' sponsored by the Vancouver Sun are:
"A Christmas Carol" (Playhouse Theatre Company), "Assembly" (Radix Theatre), "Beggars Would Ride" (Wild Excursions Performance), "Salome" (Leaky Heaven Circus), and "Skydive" (Realwheels/Push Co-Production).
Additional awards that will be presented include the 'Georgia Straight Patron of the Arts Award', the 'Canada Council for the Arts' $10,000 cash prize for 'Outstanding Production for Theatre for Young Audiences', the 'Mary Phillips Prize', the 'Ray Michael Prize' for 'Emerging Director' and the 'Sam Payne Award' for the 'Most Promising Newcomer'.
The Jessies’ 25th Anniversary celebration will be held Monday, June 18th at the Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street starting at 6:45pm and Sneak Peek will be there!
Stay Tuned ....
