Julie Emerick says some words of gratitude after being awarded with the best cameo actress in a play award Saturday evening during the ninth annual Standing Ovation Awards at the Natchez Little Theatre.

Archived Story

Little Theatre honors top performers from year

Published 12:19am Sunday, July 15, 2012

NATCHEZ — Natchez Little Theatre honored Bo Allen, Debbie Boyken and Emily Ham as the best leading characters for its 2012 season during NLT’s annual Standing Ovation awards Saturday night.

The awards ceremony celebrated the volunteers and productions of NLT’s 64th season. The nominees were selected from those who participated in the theater’s productions, and the awards were determined by NLT’s eligible members and sponsors who attended all seven shows, which were “Hairspray,” “Mississippi Medicine Show,” “Othello,” “A Natchez Christmas Carol,” “Sordid Lives,” “Southern Exposure” and “The Rivals.” Don Vesterse, who won best director in a play for “Sordid Lives,” directed three of the season’s productions, and he said it has been a tremendous year.

“‘Sordid Lives’ was fun because it was something that could happen in real life,” Vesterse said.

Patricia Ware, 10, right, belts out during her performance with singers Diamond Nicholson, left, and Thea Shelton, center.

“And I have always been afraid of Shakespeare because I don’t like Shakespeare, and this year I conquered some of my fears with directing ‘Othello.’”

Allen, who was also honored as best actor in a musical for his role as Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray,” took home the best acting nod for playing Mrs. Malaprop in “The Rivals.”

Boyken went home with the award for best actress in a play for her turn as Sissy Hickey in “Sordid Lives.”

The best actress in a musical award Ham earned was for the role of Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray.” She was also given the award for best debut by an actress.

The theatre also honored Rusty Jenkins with a lifetime achievement award for his work with NLT. Jenkins said his mind was blown by the honor.

“This place has been my haven for every trouble time in my life,” he said. “The NLT has been the thing that has kept me sane.”

Other awards given include:

•Best play: “Sordid Lives”

•Best musical: “Hairspray”

•Best director in a musical: Layne Taylor for “Hairspray”

•Best supporting actor in a play: Wade Heatherly as Wardell “Bubba” Owens in “Sordid Lives”

•Best supporting actress in a play: Morgan Mizell as Noleta Nethercott in “Sordid Lives”

•Best supporting actor in a musical: Benta’ Thomas as Seaweed J. Stubbs in “Hairspray”

•Best supporting actress in a musical: Arden McMillin as Amber Von Tussle in “Hairspray” and Lou Ellen Stout as Velma Von Tussle in “Hairspray”

•Best cameo actor in a play: Rusty Jenkins as Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram in “Sordid Lives”

•Best cameo actress in a play: Julie Emerick as Juanita in “Sordid Lives”

•Best cameo actor in a musical: Wade Heatherly as Harriman F. Spitzer and Principal in “Hairspray”

•Best cameo actress in a musical: Thea Shelton as The Dynamites in “Hairspray”

•Best debut by an actor: Bryan Carroll as Othello in “Othello”

•Best youth actor: Caleb Curtis as Tiny Tim in “A Natchez Christmas Carol” and Colby Passman as Huck Finn in “Mississippi Medicine Show”

•Best youth actress: Arden McMillin as Amber Von Tussle in “Hairspray”

 

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  • Anonymous

    ” And in our next category- ‘ Most Likely to sexually abuse/ harass a 15 year old male’, the nominess are:……..

  • Anonymous

    Shame on you , Burnley.  Sexual abuse happens in locker rooms of college football teams, in church basements, in private homes, and any place on earth that you can name.  The NLT is a positive influence on Natchez young people. The vast majority of us are so glad to have such a dedicated group in Natchez.  Kids who are practicng on Friday and Saturday evenings for plays are not in bars or drinking and driving.  They are not bullying; they are not high on  drugs.  They are learning discipline, teamwork, and dedication.  Maybe you should come on down and get a few lessons.

  • Anonymous

    I stand by ANY and ALL statement I make, for I KNOW what has gone on and what is still being allowed to exist at NLT.
    Hayjude, did you know that the recently REPORTED case is NOT the ONLY case- other things have happened and been swept under the curtains. I was active at NLT at the time when certain things came to light and I was appalled. Moreso when the NLT board flip=flopped on the firing of the GM. It was then that I left of my own accord and convictions ( contrary to what Mr Taylor has told people, that I was asked to leave) and said to all that would listen= WAIT. It WILL happen again. It only took a couple of years.
    I do NOT support the bawdy and trashy display of queenish, homosexual behavior, especially around children. I do NOT support the atmosphere that starts to develop when certain little “jokes” and behaviors become “the norm”. It then sets the stage for such criminal activity to occur. And I CERTAINLY do not approve of the foul, lewd, vulgar language that is often used in front of and towards children down there. Do you know that it could be considered as Contributing to the Delinquincy of a Minor? Did you KNOW this takes place? And if you do, why do you accept this as normal?
    Finally, I make absolutely no claims or statements that I cannot back up by the words of other witnesses. Most of the other “good folks” have moved on from NLT. Including very professional people. Wonder why? It couldn’t be because they were all “troublemakers”, too, could it?
    So, anyone EVER wanting the straight scoop, CALL me. I will provide you with names to talk to, statements, letters and recordings.
    Look for TRUTH- don’t ignore evil.

  • Anonymous

    Laud have mercy!

  • Anonymous

    Sorry, natcheznative- I know ANY post(s) I make negative about NLT offends you, but I WILL NOT BE MOVED. ( Of course, to move me WOULD be very difficult, as I weigh about the equivalent of a small elephant)
    But there will NEVER be any true security for ANYONE at NLT, adult of child, as long as the wolves are guarding the henhouse.
    And if that had been MY child that had been sexually molested down there, I would have tried to burn the place to the ground, as I would have been TRUSTING NLT TO SAFEGUARD MY CHILD AT ALL TIMES ON THEIR PREMISES AT ALL TIMES!!!! Period!!
    Oh, make no mistake- someone KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND FAILED TO REPORT IT , ’cause they hoped it , too, would just be swept under the curtains. I know dang well that when I ( and many others) were active at NLT, we KNEW what was going on and kept an eye out for anything amiss.
    Finally, I am FAR from being perfect; I am a very flawed individual. But I do know right from wrong, truth from lies, and my but* from a hole in the ground!!

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