Owls crush in Barrymore Award Nominations

Owls crush in Barrymore Award Nominations

August 30, 2016

The numbers are IN and Temple folks command a large share of the Barrymore award nominations with representation in nearly every category and over 20 award listings including a Lifetime Achievement Award for Temple Graduate and former faculty member Ed Shockley (MFA '94).  

An award-winning theater artist, Shockley is author of more than 50 plays and served for over 10 years as Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Dramatists Center (PDC).  He has designed and taught theater courses at Temple as well as at NYU, Nassau Community College and continues to teach play/film writing and World Theatre history at the University of the Arts and Rutgers Camden. Among his many awards, Shockley is winner of the much-coveted Richard Rogers Award as well as the Stephen Sondheim Award for Outstanding Contributions to American Musical Theatre. We are so proud to see him honored this year! 

Other highlights include Temple MFA Grad James Ijames (MFA '06) who continues his incredible string of theatrical triumphs with nominations for his writing and direction.  First for his authorship of the Wilma's production of KILL MOVE PARADISE which garnered 8 nominations total - including for outstanding production, ensemble, and for the coveted Brown Martin Philadelphia Award. This is awarded annually to a production that best leads audiences to a better understanding of the unique experience of particular segments of our global community and includes a $25,000 cash prize for the recipient and $2,500 for each finalist.  Then, in addition, The Arden's GEM OF THE OCEAN was recognized with 11 total nominations including for Ijames' direction, as well as The Independence Foundation Award for Outstanding New Play/Musical, and Outstanding Ensemble. 

A powerfully talented playwright, Temple Graduate Erlina Ortiz (TFM '12) has a great deal to celebrate as well! The production of her play MORIR SONYANDO, produced by Passage Theater, was recognized with 6 nominations including the Brown Martin Philadelphia Award, The Independence Foundation Award for Outstanding New Play/Musical, and Outstanding Overall Production.

In addition, the amazing Gabriela Sanchez (TFM '13) received a nomination for the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist. The Haas award is given annually to a rising talent in the Greater Philadelphia region and is the only award of its kind in the nation. It includes a $15,000 cash prize for the recipient and $2,000 for each finalist. 

Together, Ortiz and Sanchez are the co-founders of Power Street Theatre Company which does inspirational work in North Philadelphia, connecting communities through the power of story and making theatre accessible for everyone.

Maria Shaplin ('08), a Barrymore winner last year, has been nominated once again for an award for her lighting design of INDECENT at the Arden Theater and is also up for the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist. This production, which featured owls David Ingram (Professor of Theater),  Mary Beth Scallen (TFM '90), Ross Beschler('09), and Leah Walton ('15) in its cast, is up for 6 awards including outstanding overall production and ensemble and Walton is specifically nominated for her outstanding performance. Other past Temple Barrymore winners include superlative set designer Colin McIivane (TFM '13) Nominated for AMONG THE DEAD at Theatre Exile and sound designer extraordinare Shannon Zura (MFA) for BOYCOTT ESTHER at Azuka.  

Theatre Horizon's Production of THE COLOR PURPLE, which garnered 10 nominations, featured an Owl-studded cast and crew (over a dozen Temple people were involved)! Director Amina Robinson (TFM '99, '03) who is twice an alum and a Theater Professor at Temple was recognized for her outstanding direction and the production was also nominated for most Outstanding Overall Production, Ensemble, and for the Brown Martin Philadelphia Award.  

Other owls individually nominated include the incredible actor Lindsay Smiling  (TFM '03) who continues in his powerful performances which seem to give him nominations every year, this time for HOW TO CATCH CREATION at Philadelphia Theater Company. The amazing Geneviève Perrier (MFA) was nominated for the second year in a row, this time for her work in BETRAYAL at the Lantern Theater Company. Another favorite in Philly, Charlie DeMarcelle (MFA '15) was nominated for his work in ONCE at the Arden Theatre Company

The exceptional Natalia de la Torre (TFM ‘06) for her costuming in EgoPo Classic Theater's production of THREE SISTERS TWO and Elizabeth Ennis (TFM '18) for her superlative costume design for COLOR PURPLE. And we are also exceptionally proud of Temple's Box Office Manager, Bianca Sanchez, who was nominated for her performance in InterAct Theatre's HYPE MAN: A BREAK BEAT PLAY!  And UPDATE! We almost missed the amazing work of Lyell Hintz (TFM' 18) nominated for Outstanding Media Design for InterAct's THE GREAT LEAP (sorry for missing you on the first go 'round, Lyell)

Congratulations to all these owls as well as those who were involved in nominated ensembles and productions. Of course every theatrical piece is intensely collaborative and it took the efforts of everyone involved to make exceptional work. The recognition of all of these Temple artists demonstrates just how much Temple Theater has been an integral part of the Philly arts community. Congratulations to all the nominees and we can't wait until the awards on October 14.  

For 25 years the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre have been a nationally recognized symbol of excellence for professional theatre in the Greater Philadelphia region, honoring local artists and theatre companies. Named in honor of the famed Philadelphia-based first family of theatre, the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre have served as Philadelphia's professional theatre awards program since 1994. The winners will be announce at the award ceremony on Monday, October 14 at the Bok Building in south Philly.

FURTHER OWLS (Not already mentioned above) in nominated ENSEMBLES and PRODUCTIONS include:


Outstanding Overall Production of a Play  
(*Also recognized for outstanding ensemble in play)                                                 

Boycott Esther at Azuka Theatre

  • Asaki Kuruma (車麻季) - Costume Designer  (TFM '08)
  • Lyell Hintz - Assistant Video Designer (TFM '18)

Indecent at Arden Theatre Company

  • Leah Walton – Cast*   (TFM '15)
  • David Ingram – Cast*  (Professor of Theater)
  • Ross Beschler – Cast* (TFM ’09)
  • Mary Beth Scallen – Cast* (TFM '90)

Kill Move Paradise at The Wilma       

  • Lindsay Smiling – Cast*          (TFM '03)
  • Silvana Cardell – Choreographer (BYR '05)

Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
(*Also recognized for outstanding ensemble in a musical)

Once at Arden Theatre Company      

  • Mary Fishburne (Hayden) – Cast* (TFM '18)
  • Justin Yoder – Cast* (BYR '16)

The Appointment at Lightning Rod Special

  • Lee Minora -  Co-Creator/Performer  (TFM '10)

The Bridges of Madison County at Philadelphia Theatre Company 

  • Kevin John Murray – Cast (TFM '16)

The Color Purple at Theatre Horizon 

  • Jordan Dobson – Cast*           (TFM Alum)
  • Victoria Goins – Cast* (KLN '17)
  • ChelseaAnn Jones – Cast*     Current Student
  • Tom Macagnone Technical Director (TFM '16)
  • Derrick Millard – Cast*           (TFM '12)
  • Jessica Money – Cast*            Current Student
  • Garrick Morgan – Cast*          (BYR '15)
  • Sabriaya Shipley Season Apprentice (TFM '18)
  • Camille E. Young – Cast*        (TFM ’17)
  • Ariel Wang - Assistant Costume Designer      (TFM ’17)
  • Courtney Banks -  Assistant Stage Manager    (TFM '17)

(Did we miss you, Barrymore Nominated Temple Alum?! We are so sorry! There are just so many of you nominated! Let us know at Jason.lindner@temple.edu and please keep us informed about everything that you are doing!) 

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