Press Release: National Awards Presented to Theatre Memphis Design Staffers

The Main Street Journal Website

(The following press release is published as it was received by the Main Street Journal.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2009
CONTACT: Randall Hartzog
Theatre Memphis, Director of Marketing and Communications
901.682.8601

National Awards Presented to Theatre Memphis Design Staffers

André Bruce Ward, Resident Costume Designer, and Christopher McCullom, Resident Set Designer, both of Theatre Memphis, received Outstanding Achievement for Design certificates on Saturday, June 27, 2009, from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). The awards are the highest designation that can be achieved in the national competition. Ward, who has been with Theatre Memphis since 1976, was also awarded the lifetime achievement award at the conference in honor of his 35 year contribution to community theatre. McCollum has been at Theatre Memphis since 2007. The annual meeting where the awards were announced was held this year in Tacoma, Washington.

The specific entries submitted on Ward’s behalf by Theatre Memphis were for the productions of Cyrano and Curtains, both from the 2008-09 season. McCullom’s design entry was for the production of Night of the Iguana staged in the 2007-08 season. Debbie Litch, Executive Producer of Theatre Memphis, was confident of the wins. “André and Christopher have so much talent. What they bring to the table is always a contribution that is going to make our productions better,” she says. ”They embody the quality, creativity and attitude that is Theatre Memphis and are so deserving of this recognition.”

Requirements for consideration of the certification were that each entry should represent a single production but could include multiple pieces or scenic aspects. Each design concept must have been produced since July 2007 and all presentations must fit within a 40” x 40” area. Portfolios with photos, drawings, fabric samples and scale models were included in the Theatre Memphis presentations at the conference exposition. Judging was administered by professionals in each area of competition. Each entry was judged on its own merit. Criteria for winning certification was that the design must meet its stated objective and needs of the production, be clear in the overall concept, have originality, adaptability, economy and shown effectiveness. The Outstanding Achievement designation was a recognition of “excellence in every aspect”.

Locally, Ward and McCullom have garnered many Ostrander Awards that honor outstanding concept and execution of design for the Memphis theater community. Just last year (which honored the 2007-08 regular season) they were dual winners for costume and scenic design for the Theatre Memphis production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Theatre Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins Extended (corner of Perkins and Southern) and is a community theatre whose mission is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of our audiences and participants. Visit our website at www.theatrememphis.org. Theatre Memphis receives funding from ArtsMemphis and Tennessee Arts Commission.

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