September 13, 2005
FEATURESTheatre Outback earns 21 ‘Zoni’ nominations
Members of the MCC Theatre Outback performance team received 21 nominations for the AriZonis, which award theater excellence in plays and musicals.
There are two categories in which MCC staff and students received nominations.
The first category is for non-contracted plays, which are performances for which the cast is not paid.
In the non-contracted play category Thomas Murray and J. Klienshmidt each received a nomination for best actor.
Andrea Pruseau was nominated for best supporting actress, John Salisbury, for best supporting actor, Gary Stephens, for best director, and Brian Daily and Kara Thompson, for best scene design.
Lyn Dutson received a nomination for hair and make up design and Angel Moreno received a nomination for best lighting design.
The MCC Outback theater group also received a nomination for best overall non-contracted play production for The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.
In non-contracted musical category Mischa Falchey received a nomination for best actress. Anika Tisdale and Phillip Fasio each received a nomination for best supporting actor/actress.
Robert Harper received a nomination for best director and Alan Ruch is nominated for best musical direction.
T.J. Weltzen, Tiffany Brasher and Kara Thompson each received a nomination for a design award.
The Outback Theater also received a nomination for best overall production of a non-contracted musical for Little Shop of Horrors.
“Being nominated for an AriZoni award is an honor regardless of wither you win or lose,” said John Valpey coordinator of performing arts facilities.
The nomination process is simple. At the start of the theater season sets of five judges attend every theater performance.
These judges grade the shows in several categories and at the end of the season the five highest average scores in each category receive nominations.
The winners will take home a small plaque in an Emmy like presentation.
The award show will take place at 7 p.m., Sept 21, at The Mesa Arts Center.
Tickets for the show are available through the Mesa Arts Center box office and cost $22 -$23 each.