Théâtre la Seiziéme sweeps Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards

Théâtre la Seizième presents À toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou, a Quebecois classic by iconic author Michel Tremblay, from October 14 to 25 at Studio 16.  Photo: Emily Cooper.

The 33rd annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards were held Monday, June 22nd at the Commodore Ballroom. Vancouver's dynamic theatre community had an outstanding year with over 40 companies registering over 70 stage productions.

Recognizing excellence in theatre, the Jessies are divided into three categories – Large Theatre, Small Theatre and Theatre for Young Audiences – along with a variety of special awards.

The big winner in the Large Category and in the Theatre for Young Audiences was Théâtre la Seizième. Of the seven theatre companies with nominations, their production of À toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou swept the Large Theatre category. The Michel Tremblay work garnered six awards, including Craig Holzschuh for Outstanding Direction. Other winners includ The Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Saint Joan, Gateway Theatre’s production of Crazy for You, and Pacific Theatre’s The Whipping Man.

There were a total of 21 production companies nominated in the Small Theatre Category. Ruby Slippers Theatre won a total of three Jessies with talented thespians Scott Bellis and Jennifer Lines winning for their Outstanding Performances in the production of After Me (Après Moi) and Mara Gottler was acknowledged for her Outstanding Costume Design for The Duchess a.k.a. Wallis Simpson. Pi Theatre won three Jessies for its riveting and intense work, Blasted. Delinquent Theatre earned two awards for STATIONARY: a recession-era musical, Our Town by Osimous Theatre won twice, and Hunter Gatherers by Staircase Theatre and Iceland by Dirt Road Productions each won once.

In the Theatre for Young Audiences, Théâtre la Seizième was recognized once again, this time with four nods for its production of Selfie. A Jessie was taken home by Dusty Hagerud and Tara Travis for their set design for The Little Prince by Monster Theatre and Jessica Oostergo and Shizuka Kai for Outstanding Design Concept for Hamelin – A New Fable by Axis Theatre. Celestial Being produced by Green Thumb Theatre captured Outstanding Production in this category.

For a full list of winners, visit the Jessie's website.