Biggest Winner at 2018 Non-Equity Jeff Awards Is Gender Parity

Recipients of the 45th Annual

Non–Equity Jeff Awards Announced

It was my great pleasure to cover the 45th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards on Monday night for ChiIL Live Shows. People watching was prime and so many excellent productions were recognized. 2018 was a banner year, with a move from plaques to trophies, the vivacious and hilarious Veronica Garza hosting, all female awards presenters, and excellent entertainment on stage. 

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, an impassioned speech ushering in the advent of "Performer" Jeff Awards versus Actor & Actress, by Dani Shay, of The CiviliTy of Albert Cashier, topped our list to love. It may seem like a small thing, but labels limit, and for trans performers, the gender fluid, and those who don't fit neatly into prescribed categories, this is a watershed moment. Kudos to the Jeff Awards for this equitable, forward thinking choice on semantics. 

I was thrilled to be seated by Jay Paul Deratany, Joe Stevens, and Keaton Wooden who won Best New Musical “The CiviliTy of Albert Cashier”– Permoveo Productions i/a/w Pride Films and Plays. It was certainly one of my favorites this year. The writing, acting, score and content were all outstanding. It was a victory on many levels to see them win. I was also elated to see Strawdog honored and many favorites I reviewed over the past year 

Here are all the winners:

The Jeff Awards announced recipients of the 45th Annual Non–Equity Jeff Awards on Monday, June 11, at the Athenaeum Theatre. Top honors were awarded to Steep Theatre Company’s Lela & Co. and Griffin Theatre Company’s Ragtime. 

Steep Theatre Company’s Lela & Co. 

Griffin Theatre Company’s Ragtime

Other productions receiving multiple awards included Theo
Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and
Interrobang Theatre Project’s Foxfinder. Strawdog Theatre Company received a
Special Award for “30 years of collaboration as an innovative and provocative
Ensemble.”


Strawdog

Between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, there were 136 eligible Non–Equity
productions considered for Jeff Recommendation. Of those, 63 productions (or 46%) were recommended, including 15 world premieres. There were 45 productions that received at least one nomination, which represents the work of 32 theatre companies.

2018 NON–EQUITY JEFF AWARD RECIPIENTS
Credit for all photos goes to Joe Mazza & Brave Lux


ENSEMBLE
“Ragtime” – Griffin Theatre Company

PRODUCTION – MUSICAL
“Ragtime” – Griffin Theatre Company



PRODUCTION – PLAY
“Lela & Co.” – Steep Theatre Company


DIRECTOR – MUSICAL
Scott Weinstein – “Ragtime” – Griffin Theatre Company

DIRECTOR – PLAY
Robin Witt – “Lela & Co.” – Steep Theatre Company





PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Jacquelyne Jones (Mrs. Lovett) – “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”– Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre


Philip Torre (Sweeney Todd) – “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”– Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre


PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Cruz Gonzalez–Cadel (Lela) – “ Lela & Co.” – Steep Theatre Company
Michael B. Woods (Cyrano) – “Cyrano” – BoHo Theatre




PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Katherine Thomas (Sarah) – “Ragtime” – Griffin Theatre Company
Missy Wise (Blanche) – “Bonnie & Clyde” – Kokandy Productions


PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Owais Ahmed (Bashir) – “The Invisible Hand” – Steep Theatre Company
Stella Martin (Sherry) – “Nice Girl” – Raven Theatre Company




NEW MUSICAL
Jay Paul Deratany, Joe Stevens, and Keaton Wooden – “The CiviliTy of Albert Cashier”– Permoveo Productions i/a/w Pride Films and Plays


NEW PLAY
Loy A. Webb – “The Light” – The New Colony


MUSIC DIRECTIONJeremy Ramey – “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”– Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre


CHOREOGRAPHY
Jenna Schoppe – “Yank! A World War II Love Story” – Pride Films and Plays


FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Kyle Encinas – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Red Theater Chicago


ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY
Jesse Case – “Foxfinder” – Interrobang Theatre Project


SOUND DESIGN
Justin Glombicki – “In the Soundless Awe” – Saltbox Theatre Collective


COSTUME DESIGN
Beth Laske–Miller – “Shockheaded Peter” – Black Button Eyes Productions


LIGHTING DESIGN
James Kolditz – “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
– Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre


SCENIC DESIGN
Eric Luchen – “Foxfinder” – Interrobang Theatre Project


MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS BY THEATRE



The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With up to 55 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre (including producers, directors, actors, playwrights, designers, professors of theatre, entertainment lawyers and agents, and theatre lovers), the Jeff Awards is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards, and honors. Opening night judges include not only the members but also Artistic & Technical theatre volunteers (the “A/T Team”), including Artistic Directors, producers, directors and artists from Chicago theatres. The Jeff Awards fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. Each year, the Jeff Awards judges over 300 theatrical  productions and host two awards ceremonies. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards established the Non–Equity Wing in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non–union theatre. 

The next Equity Awards will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018, at Drury Lane Oakbrook.