The 2018 Jessie Nominations Party announced the nominees for the theatre awards on Sunday, May 27th at the iA Financial Group Atrium at the BMO Theatre Centre, 162 West 1st Avenue, honouring Vancouver’s vibrant artistic community.
This year’s productions have a wide variation of diverse productions in various venues and demonstrate the creativity, imagination, and skill of the extremely talented group of artists who bring their vision to life on the stage. The dynamic works add to the cultural richness and vibrancy not only to Vancouver and its residents, but also to the province and beyond.
The Jessie Awards are divided into three categories: Large Theatre, Small Theatre, and Theatre for Young Audiences along with other special awards. Here are some of the highlights of the nominations.
The Arts Club Theatre Company received the most nominations in the Large Theatre category with a total of 12 nominated productions and earning a total of 34 nominations. Of the 12 productions, Hand to God led the way with a total of 6 nods that included both lead actors nominated Oliver Castillo and Jennifer Lines along with Stephen Drover for his Outstanding Direction of the production, and the creativity of Jeny Cassady for her Outstanding Puppet Design and Coaching. Topdog/Underdog and Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika both received 5 nominations. Topdog/Underdog’s Luc Roderique was acknowledged for his performance, Dean Paul Gibson for Outstanding Direction along with the show’s nomination for Outstanding Production. Brian Markinson and Lois Anderson were nominated for their Outstanding Performances in Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika and the creative team of Torquil Campbell and Alessandro Juliani for Outstanding Sound Design, John Webber for Lighting and Kim Collier for Direction. Productions of Fun Home and Misery each earned four nominations with each garnering a nod for Outstanding Production. Other notable productions included Beauty and the Beast, Misery, King Charles III and Million Dollar Quartet.
Pacific Theatre received a total of 10 nominations with Outside Mullingar scoring 6 for this captivating production that included a nod for Outstanding Production along with Angela Konrad for Outstanding Direction. Writer Mark Leiren-Young was acknowledged for his script for Pacific Theatre’s Bar Mitzvah Boy. Bard on the Beach followed with 5 of their productions saluted with a total 8 nominations with Much Ado About Nothing leading with 4 nominations for Outstanding Production including Amber Lewis for her amazing performance. Other Bard on the Beach productions that received a nomination were Shylock, The Winter’s Tale, Merchant of Venice, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Other remarkable productions nominated included Firehall’s Circle Game, Neworld’s King Arthur’s Night, Pi Theatre’s The Events, Gateway Theatre’s Nine Dragons, Touchstone’s Happy Place, and Urban Ink for Significant Artistic Achievement to Corey Payette for Children of God.
The Small Theatre Category was extremely prolific with a total of 22 productions nominated that spread across the board. Rumble Theatre’s production of The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius garnered 8 nods with Colleen Murphy for Outstanding Original Script and Stephen Drover receiving his second nomination for Outstanding Direction. SpeakEasy Theatre’s production of The Shipment received 5 including Omari Newton for his superb performance. Three diverse companies each garnered 4 nods, Monster Theatre’s Who Killed Gertrude Crump?, Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre’s 1 Hour Photo and Patrick Street Productions’ A Little Night Music that included a nod to multi award winning talent, Patti Allen. Prime Cuts Collective’s Butcher earned 3 nominations with actors noted for their work, Peter Anderson and Lindsey Angell. Other productions receiving 3 nominations included Solo Collective’s Satellite(s), Cave Canem Production of The Lonesome West and Dark Glass Theatre’s Ruined. There are additional productions recognized which are included in the complete list of nominees.
Under the Theatre for Young Audiences category, Green Thumb Theatre garnered a total of 12 nominations with their production of The Code receiving 5, and Jabber, addressing the modern use of technology to reach teens, received 6, both shows earned a nomination for Outstanding Production. Also, to note, Green Thumb Theatre received 4 nominations in the category of Significant Artistic Achievement and in addition, Rachel Aberle was nominated for her innovative script of The Code, giving this work a total of 5 salutes. Carousel Theatre follows with a total of 6 nominations – 4 going to The Velveteen Rabbit and 2 for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Additional companies who received a nomination were Monster Theatre for The Canada Show, Axis Theatre’s Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish, and Théâtre la Seizième’s Crème -Glacée.
There are also a number of additional awards and prizes that are included and presented at the award ceremony. The list includes: the Vancouver Now Representation and Inclusion Award, the Patron of the Arts Award, the Mary Phillips Prize, the Ray Michal Prize for Emerging Director, the Sam Payne Award for the Most Promising Newcomer, the John Moffat & Larry Lillo Award, the Critics’ Choice Innovation Award, and the GVPTA Career Achievement Award.
As part of the Jessies’ transformation the ceremony is returning to its theatrical roots taking place at a theatrical venue. This year’s 36th annual Jessie Awards will be held at Bard on the Beach on Monday, July 16th in the BMO Mainstage in Vanier Park, doors will open at 5:30pm and the ceremony will begin at 6:30pm. After the ceremony the festivities will continue at the Awards After Party, at Progress Lab, 1422 Williams St, from 9:30pm – 1am.
Holding Space Production is producing the event again this year, creating a fun and swiftly moving event.
Tickets are $30 and available at www.jessieawards.com or call 604-739-0559Media Contact:
LARGE THEATRE
Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Large Theatre
| Oliver Castillo | Hand to God | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Eric Craig | Fun Home | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Douglas Ennenberg | The Events | Pi Theatre |
| Steven Greenfield | Million Dollar Quartet | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Warren Kimmel | The Merchant of Venice | Bard on the Beach |
| Brian Markinson | Angels in America, Part Two:
Perestroika |
Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Andrew McNee | Misery | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Luc Roderique | Topdog/Underdog | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| John Emmet Tracy | Outside Mullingar | Pacific Theatre |
| Jonathan Winsby | Beauty and the Beast | Arts Club Theatre Company |
Outstanding Performance by an Actress – Large Theatre
| Lois Anderson | Angels in America, Part Two:
Perestroika |
Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Nicola Cavendish | Happy Place | Touchstone Theatre |
| Erla Faye Forsyth | Outside Mullingar | Pacific Theatre |
| Lucia Frangione | Misery | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Katherine Gauthier | King Charles III | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Margo Kane | Thanks for Giving | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Amber Lewis | Much Ado About Nothing | Bard on the Beach |
| Jennifer Lines | Hand to God | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Kelli Ogmundson | Fun Home | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Colleen Wheeler | Forget About Tomorrow | Arts Club Theatre Company |
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble – Large Theatre
| Amber Funk Barton, Andrew Gordon, Nathan Kay, Tiffany King, Billy Marchenski, Niall McNeill, Lucy McNulty, Kerry Sandomirsky, Matthew Tom-Wing, Marcus Youssef | King Arthur’s Night | Neworld Theatre |
| Lauren Bowler, Katrina Reynolds, Caitlin Stadnyck, Josh Epstein | Bittergirl: The Musical | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Peter Carlone, Kim Larson, Giovanni Mocibob, Baraka Rahmani, Jalen Saip | Almost, Maine | Pacific Theatre |
| Kimmy Choi, David Cohen, Rowen Khan, Scott Perrie, Adrianna Ravalli, Sara Vickruck | Circle Game | Firehall Arts Centre |
Outstanding Lighting Design – Large Theatre
| Itai Erdal | The Christians | Pacific Theatre |
| Itai Erdal | Topdog/Underdog | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Jeff Harrison | Hand to God | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Lauchlin Johnston | Outside Mullingar | Pacific Theatre |
| John Webber | Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika | Arts Club Theatre Company |
Outstanding Set Design – Large Theatre
| Lauchlin Johnston | Misery | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Shizuka Kai | Topdog/Underdog | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Kevin McAllister | King Charles III | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Carolyn Rapanos | Circle Game | Firehall Arts Centre |
| Ted Roberts | Thanks for Giving | Arts Club Theatre Company |
Outstanding Costume Design – Large Theatre
| Carmen Alatorre | The Winter’s Tale | Bard on the Beach |
| Barbara Clayden | Beauty and the Beast | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Drew Facey | The Merchant of Venice | Bard on the Beach |
| Mara Gottler | The Two Gentlemen of Verona | Bard on the Beach |
| Christine Reimer | Much Ado About Nothing | Bard on the Beach |
Outstanding Sound Design or Original Composition – Large Theatre
| Torquil Campbell, Alessandro Juliani | Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Julie Casselman | Outside Mullingar | Pacific Theatre |
| James Coomber | Hand to God | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| David Mesiha | The Humans | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Murray Price | Much Ado About Nothing | Bard on the Beach |
Outstanding Direction – Large Theatre
| Lois Anderson | Fun Home | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Kim Collier | Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Stephen Drover | Hand to God | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Dean Paul Gibson | Topdog/Underdog | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Angela Konrad | Outside Mullingar | Pacific Theatre |
Outstanding Production – Large Theatre
| Fun Home | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Misery | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Much Ado About Nothing | Bard on the Beach |
| Outside Mullingar | Pacific Theatre |
| Topdog/Underdog | Arts Club Theatre Company |
Significant Artistic Achievement – Large Theatre
| Jeny Cassady | Hand to God | Outstanding Puppet Design and Coaching | Arts Club Theatre Company |
| Andrew Cohen | Circle Game | Outstanding Musical Arrangements | Firehall Arts Centre |
| Lonnie Delisle | The Christians | Outstanding Choir Direction | Pacific Theatre |
| Jamie Nesbitt | Nine Dragons | Outstanding Projection Design | Gateway Theatre |
| Corey Payette | Children of God | Outstanding Contribution to a National Conversation | Urban Ink with National Arts Centre and Raven Theatre |
SMALL THEATRE
Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Small Theatre
| Peter Anderson | Butcher | Prime Cuts Collective |
| Paul Anthony | The Pillowman | Reality Curve Theatre |
| Nick Fontaine | A Little Night Music | Patrick Street Productions |
| Kenton Klassen | The Lonesome West | Cave Canem Productions |
| Joey Lespérance | The Hunger Room | Staircase Theatre |
| Omari Newton | The Shipment | SpeakEasy Theatre |
| Tom Pickett | Ruined | Dark Glass Theatre |
| Mason Temple | Satellite(s) | Solo Collective Theatre |
| John Voth | The Lonesome West | Cave Canem Productions |
| Raugi Yu | I Lost My Husband | Ruby Slippers Theatre |
Outstanding Performance by an Actress – Small Theatre
| Patti Allen | A Little Night Music | Patrick Street Productions |
| Lindsey Angell | Butcher | Prime Cuts Collective |
| Yoshié Bancroft | The Double Axe Murders | Rusticate Theatre/Presentation House |
| Shayna Jones | Ruined | Dark Glass Theatre |
| Melissa Oei | A Beautiful View | Naked Goddess Productions |
| Katrina Reynolds | Smart People | Mitch and Murray Productions |
| Tara Travis | Who Killed Gertrude Crump? | Monster Theatre |
| Panthea Vatandoost | Blackbird | One Story Collective |
| Lindsay Warnock | A Little Night Music | Patrick Street Productions |
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble – Small Theatre
| Sarah Afful, Peter Anderson, Craig Erickson, Pippa Mackie, Naomi Wright | The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
| Daniel Doerksen, David Newham, Kurt Schindelka | A Steady Rain | Seven Tyrants Theatre |
| Katey Hoffman, Cheyenne Mabberley | The After After Party | After Party Theatre |
Outstanding Lighting Design – Small Theatre
| Itai Erdal | The Shipment | SpeakEasy Theatre |
| Gerald King | 1 Hour Photo | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre |
| Gerald King | Satellite(s) | Solo Collective Theatre |
| Sophia Tang | The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
Outstanding Set Design – Small Theatre
| Drew Facey | The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
| Pam Johnson | 1 Hour Photo | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre |
| Alex Kirkpatrick | The Double Axe Murders | Rusticate Theatre/Production House |
| Yvan Morissette | Satellite(s) | Solo Collective Theatre |
| John Webber | How Star Wars Saved My Life | Some Assembly Theatre |
Outstanding Costume Design – Small Theatre
| Jessica Bayntun | A Little Night Music | Patrick Street Productions |
| Drew Facey | The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
| Stephanie Kong | City of Angels | The PIT Collective |
| Markian Tarasiuk | The Shipment | SpeakEasy Theatre |
Outstanding Sound Design or Original Composition – Small Theatre
| Steve Charles | 1 Hour Photo | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre |
| Mishelle Cuttler | The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
| Daniel Deorksen & Kurt Schindelka | A Steady Rain | Seven Tyrants Theatre |
| Keith Thomas | Butcher | Prime Cuts Collective |
Outstanding Direction – Small Theatre
| Stephen Drover | The Society for the Destitute Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
| Ryan Gladstone | Who Killed Gertrude Crump? | Monster Theatre |
| Angela Konrad | Ruined | Dark Glass Theatre |
| Omari Newton & Kayvon Khoshkam | The Shipment | SpeakEasy Theatre |
Outstanding Production – Small Theatre
| Lonesome West | Cave Canem Productions |
| The Shipment | SpeakEasy Theatre |
| The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
| Who Killed Gertrude Crump? | Monster Theatre |
Significant Artistic Achievement – Small Theatre
| Joanna Garfinkel & Yoshié Bancroft | Japanese Problem | Universal Limited | Outstanding use of a site specific historical venue for the purpose of connection, experience and impact |
| Tetsuro Shigematsu Jamie Nesbitt & Susan Miyagishima | 1 Hour Photo | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre | Outstanding technical design and execution for the purpose of historical storytelling |
| Marissa & Daniel Arnold | The Ridiculous Darkness | Alley Theatre | Outstanding work involving and engaging distinct communities from the Lower Mainland for cross community outreach connection and performance |
| Tara Travis & Dusty Hagerüd | Who Killed Gertrude Crump? | Monster Theatre | Outstanding puppetry design, creation, execution and performance |
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
Outstanding Performance – Theatre for Young Audiences
| Elizabeth Barrett | The Code | Green Thumb Theatre |
| Frankie Cottrell, Alex Gullason & Carly Pokoradi | The Canada Show | Monster Theatre |
| Sereana Malani | The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | Carousel Theatre |
| Parmiss Sehat | Jabber | Green Thumb Theatre |
| Amanda Testini | The Velveteen Rabbit | Carousel Theatre |
Outstanding Design – Theatre for Young Audiences
| Darren Boquist | Lighting | The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | Carousel Theatre |
| Drew Facey | Set | Crème -Glacée | Théâtre la Seizième |
| Jay Havens | Set, Costume, & Props | Th’owziya: The Hungry Feast Dish | Axis Theatre |
| Shizuka Kai, Joel Grinke, and Mishelle Cuttler | Set, Projects, Sound | Jabber | Green Thumb Theatre |
| Yvan Morissette | Set | The Velveteen Rabbit | Carousel Theatre |
Outstanding Artistic Creation – Theatre for Young Audiences
| Ryan Gladstone & Bruce Horak | Song Composition | The Canada Show | Monster Theatre |
| Chelsea Haberlin | Directing | Jabber | Green Thumb Theatre |
| Patrick McDonald | Directing | The Code | Green Thumb Theatre |
| Deb Williams | Directing | The Velveteen Rabbit | Carousel Theatre |
| Marguerite Witvoet | Composer/Musical Director | Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish | Axis Theatre |
Outstanding Production – Theatre for Young Audiences
| Crème -Glacée | Théâtre la Seizième |
| Jabber | Green Thumb Theatre |
| The Canada Show | Monster Theatre |
| The Code | Green Thumb Theatre |
| The Velveteen Rabbit | Carousel Theatre |
Significant Artistic Achievement – Theatre for Young Audiences
| Axis Theatre | Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish | Outstanding Artistic Achievement for centrally focusing on an Indigenous story |
| Green Thumb Theatre | Outstanding Q & A preparation & execution | |
| Green Thumb Theatre | The Code | Outstanding Artistic Achievement for exceptional presentation of contemporary, far reaching teen issues |
| Green Thumb Theatre | Jabber | Outstanding use of technology and media as a way of representing modern teenage explorations into identity |
| Green Thumb Theatre | Jabber | Outstanding Artistic Achievement for portraying how different races and religions can intertwine and co-exist |
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT
| Rachel Aberle | The Code | Green Thumb Theatre |
| Mark Leiren-Young | Bar Mitzvah Boy | Pacific Theatre |
| Colleen Murphy | The Society for The Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre |
| Tetsuro Shigematsu | 1 Hour Photo | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre |
| Jovanni Sy | Nine Dragons | Vertigo Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, & Gateway Theatre |
CRITIC’S CHOICE INNOVATION AWARD
| Cinerama | Fight with a Stick |
| Hyperlink | Elbow Theatre |
| Japanese Problem | Universal Limited |
| Multiple Organism | Mind of a Snail |
| The Ridiculous Darkness | Alley Theatre in partnership with Neworld Theatre |
| Six Fine Lines | Level-Headed Friends Productions |
VANCOUVER NOW AWARD
To be Announced
