Taran Kootenhayoo, Columpa Bobb, Sam Bob among Vancouver artists nominated for 2021-22 Jessie Awards
Clean/Espejos, ‘da Kink in my Hair, Bunny, Beautiful Man, and more up for honours before the Jessies go on hiatus
Taran Kootenhayoo.
The Jessie Richardson Award Society has announced nominees for the 2021-22 Jessie Awards.
Some of the categories and finalists in the large budget division are:
Outstanding Performance in a Leading Dramatic Role: Craig Erickson, Wakey, Wakey, Pacific Theatre; Genevieve Fleming, Clean/Espejos, Neworld Theatre; Alexandra Lainfiesta, Clean/Espejos, Neworld Theatre; Sarah Roa, Mary’s Wedding, Firehall Arts Centre; and ensemble cast, ‘da Kink in my Hair, Arts Club Theatre Company.
Outstanding Performance in a Leading Comedic Role: Sam Bob, White Noise, Savage Society and Firehall Arts Centre; Columpa Bobb, White Noise, Savage society & Firehall Arts Centre; Farren Timoteo, Made In Italy, Arts Club Theatre Company; ensemble cast, A Broadway Holiday, Gateway Theatre; and ensemble cast, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, Arts Club Theatre Company.
Outstanding Direction: Daniela Atiencia and Chelsea Haberlin, Clean/Espejos, Neworld theatre; Daryl Cloran, Made In Italy, Arts Club Theatre Company; Bobby Garcia, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, Arts Club Theatre Company; Ray Hogg, ‘da Kink in my Hair, Arts Club Theatre Company; and Kevin Loring, Little Red Warrior & His Lawyer; Savage Society.
In the small budget division, among the categories and nominees are:
Outstanding Performance in a Leading Dramatic or Comedic Role: Aaron Craven, Snowflake, Mitch and Murray Productions; Pippa Mackie, Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, Monster Theatre; Emma Slipp, Bunny, The Search Party; Elizabeth Thai, we the same, Ruby Slippers Theatre; and ensemble (Ivy Charles, Melissa Oei, Tracy Jennissen), Beautiful Man, Pi Theatre.
Outstanding Direction: Diane Brown & Patricia Trinh, we the same, Ruby Slippers Theatre; Keltie Forsyth, Beautiful Man, Pi Theatre; Ryan Gladstone, Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, Monster Theatre; Mindy Parfitt, Bunny, The Search Party; and Jack Paterson, The Ballad of Georges Boivin, Western Gold Theatre.
Outstanding Production—Play: Beautiful Man, Bunny, Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, Snowflake, and we the same.
In the Theatre for Young Audiences division, nominees for Best Production are Clementine – A (True) Story, Kleine Compagnie Theatre Society; Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Carousel Theatre for Young People; and Le merveilleux voyage d’Inès de l’Ouest, Théâtre la Seizième.
For Outstanding Original Script, nominees are the late Taran Kootenhayoo, White Noise, Savage Society and Firehall Arts Centre; Kevin Loring, Little Red Warrior & His Lawyer, Savage Society; Pippa Mackie and Ryan Gladstone, Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, Monster Theatre; Christine Quintana, Clean/Espejos, Neworld Theatre; and Libby Willoughby, Mariam Barry, and Miranda MacDougall, In Response to Alabama, Little Thief Theatre.
The Jessie Richardson Award Society also announced that the Emerging Division will not stand for the 2021-22 Jessie Awards season. The award was intended to “highlight and celebrate works that bring innovation and excitement to our theatre community, and emerging artists who have not received the recognition that we believe they deserve”.
“While this Division was newly announced for this season, a very small number of productions were registered and subsequently attended by the Emerging Division jury,” the organization states. At the end of the season (April 30, 2022), the jury recommended that the Emerging Division should not stand with such a small number of eligible productions. While every effort was made by the Board of Directors to consider solutions, the final decision is that the Emerging Division will not stand for the Jessie Awards in 2022.
“We understand that some community members, especially those involved with the registered productions, will feel disappointed by this outcome,” the organization states. “Given the challenges associated with the ongoing pandemic for the performing arts industry, it is not a surprise that emerging companies and productions led by emerging artists are underrepresented in recently mounted theatre productions. It is the hope of the Board of Directors that emerging companies and artistic leaders will soon find space and opportunities in the professional theatre community, as we all continue to navigate the challenges brought on by this pandemic. We will continue to do the best we can to support emerging artists and works and honour their immense contribution to our theatre community.”
The complete list of categories and nominees can be found here.
The announcement comes shortly after a statement issued by the organization’s board of directors that the Jessie Awards will go on hiatus and pause all jurying as of May 1 this year. Read Stir’s coverage of the awards’ uncertain future here.
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