Honors & Awards Best of the Bay 2013 Look how Stageworks was represented: Best theater artist most likely born on the planet Krypton Karla Hartley She acts, directs, designs sets, costumes, and lighting, stage manages (a lot) and even occasionally does some writing. Last season she was everywhere, at Stageworks and Jobsite and American Stage and New Stage Theatre and more, and there were rumors that someone saw her changing out of her superclothes in an abandoned phone booth. Most super of all is her confident, can-do attitude: expertise without arrogance. And by the way, what she does, she does beautifully.
Best theatrical survivor Anna Brennen In a field dominated by men, and in a region with much narrowly focused, commercial programming, the creatively combative, combatively creative artistic director led Stageworks to break new ground both dramatically, and for a splendid new state-of-the-art theater in Grand Central at Channelside opened in 2011. The company just celebrated its 30th anniversary that s 30 years of producing dangerous plays and educational outreach, championing themes for audiences often underserved women, LGBT, religious minorities, people of color and youth at risk. Best actor Dennis Duggan Duggan, left, gave an amazingly nuanced performance in Of Mice and Men. As mentally-challenged Lenny in the Stageworks version of John Steinbeck s Of Mice and Men, Duggan was convincing to the point of miracle. From the infantile way Duggan spoke to his friend George, to the worry lines on his bewildered face as he sought sense in a confusing world, this was precisely the innocent but lethal simpleton from 1930s California that Steinbeck conceived, dangerous to small animals and to women who treated him tenderly. Acting this good is uncanny. Best costume designer Mike and Kathy Buck The Bucks costumes for Stageworks How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents were so successful, it was possible to believe that we were watching the girls getting younger and younger with every scene. The clothes the duo designed for freefall s Christmas Carol couldn t have been more different: surely we were back in the 19th century with Dickens and his characters. And then there were the rough togs of the 1930s-era farm workers in Stageworks Of Mice and Men. Where the Bucks are concerned, everything is possible.
The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that Stageworks received - reviews written by volunteers, donors and clients. People posted their personal experience with the nonprofit. For example, one person wrote, "SW is easily the finest regional theater in the Tampa Bay Area. They are astonishing not only for the quality of the productions but also their exemplary program of outreach into needy communities such as atrisk youth. Their mission to present stories of under-represented populations - including women, gays, ethnic minorities - makes a real difference. Their support of local playwrights including annual one-act festival is a substantial contribution in an area with few similar resources." -Ed Stevens, Kennedy Center Award Winning Playwright While the Top-Rated Awards run through the end of October, Stageworks was part of the inaugural group to qualify for the year. "Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever," said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, "People with direct experience with Stageworks have voted that the organization is making a real difference."
The 2013 International Centre for Women Playwrights 50/50 Applause Awards: ICWP applauds Stageworks Theatre in Tampa, FL for producing women playwrights. Standing ovation The International Centre for Women Playwrights (ICWP) is delighted with the increased number of recipients for this year s 50/50 Applause Awards, which sets out to recognize theatres which produce 50% or more women playwrights in their season of shows. In the spring, members of ICWP nominated theatres that were producing the work of women playwrights throughout the world. This year there are 29 recipients, nearly 6 times as many as our inaugural awards in 2012. The list includes theatres in the United States, India, Norway, Italy, and Canada. There are two repeat recipients: Playwrights Horizons in New York and Symmetry Theatre in California. President of ICWP, Dr. Jennifer Munday, says, We are delighted with the response from both theatres and members who see this award as a demonstration of their commitment to women s writing. ICWP started in 1988 with a mission to support women playwrights worldwide and bring attention to their work. The 50/50 Applause Awards are now an annual event for ICWP, with nominations being stringently checked by a strong volunteer committee.