Ostranders are Back

The Ostrander Awards are back.

After two years of pandemic mandated caution, the celebration of the local theater community is returning in person on August 28th at 6:30 p.m. at the Halloran Centre. 

The 38th Memphis theater awards will recognize and celebrate excellence in collegiate, community, and professional theater. 

The winners will be revealed at the event, but as always, the one prize announced early is the Eugart Yerian Lifetime Achievement Award, this year going to Stephen Hancock, a playwright, Ostrander-winning director, and longtime professor at the University of Memphis.

Because last year’s event was postponed, winners from 2021 will also be honored.  

Last year’s Eugart Yerian Award went to Andy Saunders. Others include the 2021 Janie McCrary Putting it Together Award, Michael Compton; the 2021 Otis Smith Legacy Dance Award, Whitney Branan; the Behind the Scenes Award, Lena Wallace Black; and the Larry Riley Rising Star Award, Donald Sutton and Abby Teel.

Tickets will be available at memphisostranders.com and will be limited to 350 guests. Tickets will be $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Elizabeth Perkins, Ostrander director, said, “So many theatres had to postpone shows, rearrange seasons, or select different titles this year. It has been a difficult year, but also a year that has shown how supportive the theatre community is — we saw a season of actors filling in for others at the last minute all over the city.”

The nominees are:

Scenic Design for College

• Brian Ruggaber, A Bright Room Called Day, University of Memphis
• Brian Ruggaber, The Wolves, University of Memphis
• Mollie West and Brian Ruggaber, R & J & Z, University of Memphis

Scenic Design for a Play

• Jack Netzel-Yates, American Son, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, Cicada, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, You Can’t Take It With You, Theatre Memphis
• Justin Asher, The Foreigner, Harrell Theatre
• Tim McMath, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse

Scenic Design for a Musical

• Chris Sterling & Andrew Chandler, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre
• Jack Netzel-Yates, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Ryan Howell, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square

Costume Design for College

• Ali Flipovich, A Bright Room Called Day, University of Memphis
• Hattie Fann, R & J & Z, University of Memphis
• Heather Duzan, The Wolves, University of Memphis

Costume Design for a Play

• Allison White, You Can’t Take It With You, Theatre Memphis
• Ashley Selberg, The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• J. Faye Manselle, Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse
• Lindsay Schmeling, A Doll’s House, Parts 1 & 2, Circuit Playhouse
• Lindsay Schmeling, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse

Costume Design for a Musical

• Amie Eoff, Hello, Dolly!, Theatre Memphis
• Amie Eoff, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Amie Eoff, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Amie Eoff, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Lindsay Schmeling, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square
• Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre

Hair/Wig/Makeup Design for a Play

• The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse
• Buddy Hart and Rence Phillips, Our Town, Theatre Memphis
• Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse

Hair/Wig/Makeup Design for a Musical

• Amie Eoff, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Amie Eoff, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Buddy Hart and Rence Phillips, Hello, Dolly!, Theatre Memphis
• Buddy Hart and Rence Phillips, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre

Props Design for a Play

• Andrew Chandler, The Complete History of America, Abridged, Germantown Community Theatre
• Jack Netzel-Yates, Cicada, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, You Can’t Take It With You, Theatre Memphis
• Reiley Duffy, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse

Props Design for a Musical

• Bill Short & Andrew Chandler, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre
• Jack Netzel-Yates, Hello, Dolly!, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Jack Netzel-Yates, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis

Lighting Design for College

• Corinne Fann, A Bright Room Called Day, University of Memphis
• Hayes Wolfe, Ordinary Days, University of Memphis
• Jenni Propst, R & J & Z, University of Memphis

Lighting Design for a Play

• Haley Northington, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse
• Mandy Kay Heath, American Son, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Mandy Kay Heath, Cicada, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Mandy Kay Heath, The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Mandy Kay Heath, You Can’t Take It With You, Theatre Memphis

Lighting Design for a Musical

• Justin Gibson, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square
• Mandy Kay Heath, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Mandy Kay Heath, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Mandy Kay Heath, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Melissa Andrews, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre

Sound Design for College

• Andrew Boone, The Wolves, University of Memphis
• Anna Johnson, R & J & Z,  University of Memphis
• Micki McCormick, A Bright Room Called Day, University of Memphis

Sound Design for a Play

• David Newsome, Cicada, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jason Eschhofen, The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jason Eschhofen, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse
• Joe Johnson, American Son, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Marques Brown, Clue: Onstage, Germantown Community Theatre

Sound Design for a Musical

• Eileen Kuo, Bright Star, Germantown Community Theatre
• Gene Elliott, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre
• Jason Eschhofen, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Nathan Greene, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Nathan Greene, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis

Music Direction for College

• Angelo Rapan, Pippin, University of Memphis
• Tracy Thomas, Ordinary Days, University of Memphis

Music Direction for a Musical

• Gary Beard, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Jason Eschhofen, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square
• Jeff Brewer, Hello, Dolly!, Theatre Memphis
• Jeff Brewer, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Tammy Holt, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis

Choreography for College

• Michael Medcalf, The Wolves, University of Memphis
• Sean Carter, R & J & Z, University of Memphis

Choreography for a Musical

• Courtney Oliver, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Daniel Stuart Nelson, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square
• Kathy Thiele, The Addams Family, Harrell Theatre
• Travis Bradley and Jordan Nichols, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Whitney Branan, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Whitney Branan, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre

Featured Performer in a College Production

• One nominee

Featured Performer in a Play

• Anne Marie Caskey, Cicada, Theatre Memphis
• Eileen Peterson, The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Hiawartha Jackson, Our Town, Theatre Memphis
• Lance Raikes, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse
• Susan Brindley, You Can’t Take It With You, Theatre Memphis

Featured Performer in a Musical

• Atam Woodruff, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Atam Woodruff, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Cassie Thompson, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Jimmie Hoxie, Bright Star, Germantown Community Theatre
• John Brenton Strauss, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Susan Brindley, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis

Supporting Actor in a College Production 

• Austin Wall, R & J & Z, University of Memphis
• Jasper Lane Pippin, A Bright Room Called Day, University of Memphis
• Lance Raikes, R & J & Z, University of Memphis
• Oscar Garcia, Pippin, University of Memphis

Supporting Actor in a Play

• Gregory Boller, The Lifespan of a Fact, Circuit Playhouse
• Marcus Cox, American Son, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Mark Pergolizzi, A Doll’s House, Part 1, Circuit Playhouse
• Steve Swift, Cicada, Theatre Memphis
• Tony Isbell, Outside Mullingar, Germantown Community Theatre

Supporting Actor in a Musical

• JD Willis, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• JD Willis, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Kevar Maffitt, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Marcus King, Porgy and Bess, Hattiloo Theatre
• Mateo Rueda Calvo, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis

Supporting Actress in a College Production

• Ali Milan, The Wolves, The University of Memphis
• Axum Langford, A Bright Room Called Day, The University of Memphis
• Camille Long, R & J & Z, The University of Memphis
• Jada Farmer, The Wolves, The University of Memphis

Supporting Actress in a Play

• Ann Marie Hall, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse
• Ann Marie Hall, The Lifespan of a Fact, Circuit Playhouse
• Cecelia Wingate, Cicada, Theatre Memphis
• Daneka Norfleet, Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse
• Patsy Detroit, A Doll’s House, Part 2, Circuit Playhouse

Supporting Actress in a Musical

• Cassie Thompson, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Carly Crawford, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Dawn Bradley, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Emily Garrett, Bright Star, Germantown Community Theatre
• Tracy Thomas, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis

Ensemble in a College Production

• Ordinary Days, The University of Memphis
• Pippin, The University of Memphis
• The Wolves, The University of Memphis

Ensemble in a Play

• American Son, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Cicada, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse
• The Complete History of America, Abridged, Germantown Community Theatre
• Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse

Ensemble in a Musical

• Porgy & Bess, Hattiloo Theatre
• Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre
• Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square
• Urinetown, Theatre Memphis

Leading Actor in a College Production

• Lance Raikes, Pippin, The University of Memphis
• Will Draper, R & J & Z, The University of Memphis

Leading Actor in a Play

• Emmanuel McKinney, The Mountaintop, Hattiloo Theatre
• JS Tate, Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse
• Kevar Maffitt, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse
• Kinon Keplinger, American Son, Theatre Memphis
• Luke Conner, Cicada, Theatre Memphis

Leading Actor in a Musical

• Andrew Chandler, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre
• Bruce Huffman, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• John Maness, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Jonathan Christian, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Justin Allen Tate, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Randall Hartzog, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Ryan Scott, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre

Leading Actress in a College Production

• Aly Milan, R & J & Z, The University of Memphis

• Raina Williams, A Bright Room Called Day, The University of Memphis

Leading Actress in a Play

• Alice Rainey Berry, Cicada, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Anne Marie Caskey, The Goodbye Levee, POTS@TheWorks
• Eileen Peterson, A Doll’s House, Parts 1 & 2, Circuit Playhouse
• Jessica “Jai” Johnson, American Son, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jessica “Jai” Johnson, Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse

Leading Actress in a Musical

• Caroline Simpson, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Debbie Litch, Hello, Dolly!, Theatre Memphis
• Deborah Manning Thomas, Marie & Rosetta, Hattiloo Theatre
• Emily Draffen, Bright Star, Germantown Community Theatre
• Haley Wilson, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, Playhouse on the Square
• Jazmin Snowden, Porgy and Bess, Hattiloo Theatre
• Lauren Duckworth, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis

Best Original Script

• Ivanka vs. Reality, Theatreworks@ the Square
• May We All, Playhouse on the Square
• The Goodbye Levee, Theatreworks@ the Square
• The Secret Garden, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Tumbling Down, Hattiloo

Direction of a College Production

• Holly Derr, The Wolves, University of Memphis
• Jamie Warrow, A Bright Room Called Day, University of Memphis
• Thomas “TeKay” King, Ordinary Days, University of Memphis

Direction of a Play

• Dave Landis, Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse
• Jared Thomas Johnson, American Son,  Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Jason Spitzer, The Secret Garden, Theatre Memphis
• Jerre Dye, Cicada, Theatre Memphis
• Lawrence Blackwell, Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse

Direction of a Musical

• Ann Marie Hall, Urinetown, Theatre Memphis
• Cecelia Wingate, La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Daniel Stuart Nelson, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square
• Kevin Cochran, Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre
• Travis Bradley and Jordan Nichols, Ragtime, Theatre Memphis

Best College Production

• A Bright Room Called Day, University of Memphis
• R & J & Z, University of Memphis
• The Wolves, University of Memphis

Best Production of a Play

• American Son, Next Stage, Theatre Memphis
• Cicada, Theatre Memphis
• Mississippi Goddamn, Circuit Playhouse
• The Secret Garden, Theatre Memphis
• Torch Song, Circuit Playhouse

Best Production of a Musical

• La Cage aux Folles, Theatre Memphis
• Ragtime, Theatre Memphis
• Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Playhouse on the Square
• Shockheaded Peter, New Moon Theatre
• Urinetown, Theatre Memphis