PRESS RELEASE from Valley Performing Arts
Persons in photo, from left to right: Pam Burlingame, Matthew Holman, Heather Sawyer, Chris Daw, Rebekeh Meneses, Evangelo Lambernakis, Cory Rausa, Kristen Clinkenbeard, Jamison Gumley, Nate Nicholls, Mary Martushev, Judy Crothers, Dj Rotach
The house was packed with patrons, volunteers, advertisers, and sponsors, along with their families and friends of Valley Performing Arts, who gathered on June 6th to celebrate VPA’s 42nd season of providing quality live theatre at the Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.
Masters of Ceremony, Chad Carpenter and Tammy Parker, kept guests entertained as they introduced the presenters and kept things on track for the evening.
VPA members (season ticket holders) elected Paul Beer, Kevin Cochran, Hannah Cole and Nikki Hohnadel to the VPA Board of Directors during the meeting.
They also selected the following season standouts with the Members’ Choice Awards:
• Best Set Design: Dj Rotach, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Lighting Design: Kristen Clinkenbeard, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Sound Design: Todd Broste, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Costume Design: Mary Martushev, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Supporting Actress: Kailee Gumley, “Jane Banks", "Mary Poppins"
• Best Supporting Actor: Jamison Gumley, “Michael Banks”, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Actor: Mathew Holman, “Bert”, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Actress: Heather Sawyer, “Mary Poppins”, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Director: Larry Bottjen, "Mary Poppins"
• Best Production: "Mary Poppins"
VPA’s Board of Directors honored the following dedicated volunteers:
• Volunteer of the Year: Gary Feaster
• Best Newcomer of the Year: Jamison Gumley & Kailee Gumley
• Board Appreciation: Mark Lee & Evangelo & Diana Lambernakis
• Artistic Director’s Award: Pam Burlingame
The Milking Stool Award went to Angel Husher-Rodriguez for her brilliant performance as “Mrs. Brill” in Mary Poppins.
A HUGE thank you to Chad Carpenter, Coming Attraction Theaters, John Warner/Edward Jones Investments, Evangelo’s Restaurant, Extreme Fun Center, House of Bread, Locals Pizzeria & Pub, Lone Wolf Aura and Wells Fargo Bank for your generous donations of door prizes. We are truly appreciative of your continued support, as our patrons received really great prizes. Thank you!
Valley Performing Arts’ Season 43 starts September 7th, 2018 and runs through May 19th, 2019. For season tickets, please give our office a call at 373-0195. Individual tickets to each play go on sale in August. We shall see you in September as we kick off Season 43! Have a great summer.
