Theatre Tillsonburg wins three awards from WODL

Theatre Tillsonburg received three awards from its 11 nominations in the recent Western Ontario Drama League competition. The winners were, left to right: Joe Sheik, Tori Bremner and Angela Carvalho. (Submitted Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Theatre Tillsonburg came home from the Western Ontario Drama League with three awards from 11 nominations for its production of Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Directed by the husband-and-wife team of Mike Jull and Jennifer Anger-Jull, the show was presented last fall at Theatre Tillsonburg. The production told the story of why Santa missed a house on Christmas Eve from the perspective of a mouse, an elf and a young girl. It was produced by Jennifer Arthur- Lackenbauer.

The Western Ontario Drama League (WODL) encompasses all of Southwestern Ontario and supports community theatre through the area. As part of its mandate, an adjudicator can attend shows, selecting productions for awards as part of its annual festival. In the awards, Tillsonburg was up against productions from larger cities, such as Burlington, London and Windsor.

The Tillsonburg winners were:

• Tori Bremner as Emily received the Theatre Kent Award for Most Promising Newcomer.

• Angela Carvalho as Calliope & Brittania Sneed received the London Community Players Award for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role

• Joe Sheik received the Special Adjudicator’s Award for Pre-Show and Intermission Musical Selections.

“It was a thrill to be part of such a high quality team of artists that worked together to create such a fantastic show for our community that was recognized with 11 nominations at every level of performance,” Sheik said. “I was honoured to be one of the three nominees to bring an award back to Tillsonburg, and to our theatre.”

Carvalho was surprised and honoured to win.

“I was privileged to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people, both on stage and backstage, who made me look so deserving,” she said. “Great direction, and a fantastic cast and crew made the experience a lot of fun and one that I will never forget.”

Bremner was also thrilled with the support she received for her growing career.

“I feel so happy to have received the Theatre Kent award and would like to thank all of those at Theatre Tillsonburg,” she said.

Anger-Jull said the victories are important, but seeing the audience laugh, and the higher-than-normal number of young theatre goers enchanted by the play was just as important.

“From the very beginning, this show felt magical,” she said modestly. “ From receiving a personal letter from Ken Ludwig before opening night, to hearing roaring laughter fill the theatre night after night, to now standing among Ontario’s best community theatre productions with 11 nominations and three wins, what an unbelievable journey this has been.”

With its next production opening last weekend, and continuing this weekend, Sheik encouraged local residents to support local theatre.

“I hope people take away from these awards the fact that quality performances are put on at Theatre Tillsonburg, and that they are on level with other community theatres in larger centers,” he said.