October 25, 26 and 27, 2013 at the Wetumpka Depot Theatre, Wetumpka, ACT congratulates this year’s winners for their talent, dedication, and commitment! Led by Festival Chair Cliff Keen, Jr. and Vice Chair Kristy Meanor, this year’s festival drew entries from across the state to witness four shows and participate in workshops and parties.

Adjudicators Brenda Caradine (Mississippi), Stephen Krempasky (Kentucky) and Fulton Burns (Alabama) chose the following awards for this year’s festival:

BEST IN SHOW “I Don’t Want To Talk About It” — Whole Backstage Theatre
“The Fantasticks” — Wetumpka Depot Theatre

One Act Awards:

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICAL DIRECTION:  Marilyn Swears-”The Fantasticks” – Wetumpka Depot Theatre

BEST TECHNICAL PRODUCTION:  ”The Fantasticks” – Wetumpka Depot Theatre

BEST DIRECTION: Kristy Meanor: ”The Fantasticks” – Wetumpka Depot Theatre

BEST ENSEMBLE: “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” – Whole Backstage Theatre

ALL STAR CAST:

Lexie Scarborough & Nicholas DiPrima — Whole Backstage Theatre

Howard Green & Jane Caswell — Theatre Downtown

Lee Bridges — Wetumpka Depot Theatre

Bill Allen — Leeds Theatre and Arts Center

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Patty Holley -”The Fantasticks” – Wetumpka Depot Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Bill Nowell – ”The Fantasticks” – Wetumpka Depot Theatre

BEST ACTRESS: Ashley Richardson – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – Leeds Theatre & Arts Center

BEST ACTOR: Jared Max Wright – “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” – Whole Backstage Theatre

SPIRIT OF THE ROAD AWARD –  “The Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda” and “The Big Bang” – Theatre Downtown

Workshops:

Workshop One: Stephen Krempansky, Proprietor of MASSKUS Productions, a performing arts administrative and production service, in Knoxville, TN offers
BEYOND THE BOX OFFICE – Methods to increase revenue and engagement. We will explore partnerships, sponsorships, underwriting and other strategic methods to develop new revenue streams, put butts in the seats and make friends.

Workshop Two: Brenda Caradine
RAISING AWARENESS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
The founder of the Tennessee Williams’ Tribute (Mississippi’s Williams’ Festival) discusses past festival events and the ups and downs of making a community aware and involved in a festival for America’s greatest playwright.

DIRECTORS PANEL DISCUSSION — All invited–Lobby. Sue Ellen Gerrells, ACT Executive Director and director of “Sylvia”, one of last year’s winning productions, leads a panel discussion with festival directors (both past and present) about their process.Workshop Three: Fulton Burns, Director of Acting and Performance, University of South Alabama
ACTING THROUGH THE EXPRESSIVE ACTOR METHOD
The Expressive Actor Workshop gives the actor the tools to create an Expressive Action, which is action of thought and feeling through integrated voice and movement. Through the usage of the Expressive Action the performer is able to play and embody any piece of text with a variety of approaches to unlock any walls facing a performer. Come play and have fun with this exciting technique created by Michael Lugering.