CTC Celebrates Outstanding Volunteers of 2021-2022 Season
Volunteers contributing to nine exciting shows that made it to the stage as the Chattanooga Theatre Centre rebounded from the pandemic with the 2021-2022 season won honors at the Centre Stage Awards on Saturday, September 3.
The annual awards salute the valued volunteers on stage and off who have contributed their time and talent to the success of the theatre’s past season. The adults were joined by volunteers from the Youth Theatre, many of whom were recognized with Sonia Young Honors for Excellence.
Top awards went to the Champion family as winners of the President’s Award, which recognized the contributions of a beloved member of the CTC family, Vena Champion, who passed away this summer, and her sons, Drew and Alex. Box office assistant and volunteer Kitty Murakami was the recipient of the Producer’s Award, and Claire Bartlett, founder of the CTC Book Club, was the Dan Jay Volunteer of the Year.
For their onstage appearances, Shelia Wofford was recognized as Audience Favorite Actress in a Play and LaFrederick Thirkill as Audience Favorite Actor in a Play, both for JOE TURNER’S COME & GONE. Georgia Sharp was honored as Audience Favorite Actress in a Musical for LITTLE WOMEN, and Mateo Tibbs was recognized as Audience Favorite Actor in a Musical for GIANT STEPS.
In backstage roles, Juleen Collins was honored as Outstanding Stage Manager for her work on JOE TURNER’S COME & GONE, and Karen Henderson was recognized as Outstanding Crew Member for volunteering backstage for several shows.
For other service to the theatre, Pat and Bob Radel received the award for Outstanding Front of House Volunteers, and Laura Lewis was recognized with the Milly Farris Outstanding Contribution to the Youth Theatre Award. Carina Miller and Lily Obal were honored as Youth Theatre Stage Managers of the Year, and Will James was recognized as Youth Theatre Crew Member of the Year.
By a vote of patrons, JOE TURNER’S COME & GONE was selected as Audience Favorite Play of the Year, and LITTLE WOMEN was Audience Favorite Musical of the Year.
Here’s the list of other honorees for each production:
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (September/October 2021):
Chris Williamson, MVP Award
James Lawson, Director’s Choice Award
Erin Skelley, Stage Manager’s Choice Award
THE HOLLOW (October/November 2021):
Jeff Fowers, MVP Award
Deb Meeks, Director’s Choice Award
Joanna Lewis, Stage Manager’s Choice Award
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (December 2021):
Eli Binder and Josie Jullienne, Director’s Choice Award (Daisy Cast)
Charlie Clevenger and Hayley Lewis, Director’s Choice Award (Ace Cast)
Libbie Weaver, Stage Manager’s Choice Award (Daisy Cast)
Ivy Hays, Stage Manager’s Choice Award (Ace Cast)
ALABAMA STORY (January/February 2022):
Magge Hudgins, MVP Award
Landon Carpenter, Director’s Choice Award
Karen Henderson, Stage Manager’s Choice Award
ALADDIN, JR. (February 2022):
Darrius Calloway and Claire James, Director’s Choice Award
Kaleb Hollings, Music Director’s Choice Award
Madison Jefferson, Choreographer’s Choice Award
Jack Smith, Stage Manager’s Choice Award
LITTLE WOMEN (March/April 2022):
Georgia Sharp, MVP Award
Jesse Headrick, Director’s Choice Award
Katie Love, Stage Manager’s Choice Award
Hayley Lewis, Music Director’s Choice Award
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT (April/May 2022):
Benjamin Williams and Mariana Perez Lopez Tello, Director’s Choice Award (Roger Cast)
Christiana Russell and Nyla Jacks, Director’s Choice Award (Benjamin Cast)
Olivia Williams, Stage Manager’s Choice Award (Roger Cast)
Libbie Weaver and Ethan Johnson, Stage Manager’s Choice Award (Benjamin Cast)
JOE TURNER’S COME & GONE (June 2022):
Aneja Raiteri, MVP Award
Donel Solomon, Director’s Choice Award
Jill Burgess, Stage Manager’s Choice Award
GIANT STEPS (July/August 2022):
Charlene Hong White, MVP Award
Mateo Tibbs, Director’s Choice Award
Hannah Engelbrecht, Stage Manager’s Choice Award
Dawn Hendrix, Music Director’s Choice Award
Cherokee Ellison, Choreographer’s Choice Award
Posted September 4, 2022
