1812 Productions Honored with Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre

1812 Productions is proud to announce that it is the recipient of the two 2016 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. At an awards ceremony held Monday, October 24th at The Merriam Theatre, Jennifer Childs, 1812 Productions' Producing Artistic Director, was named Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical for her original, one-woman comedy I WIll Not Go Gently. 1812 Productions' education program, 1812 Outreach, also took home the Victory Foundation Award for Outstanding Theatre Education Program. The Barrymore Awards are hosted by Theatre Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to bringing together and celebrating Philadelphia's diverse and growing theatre community.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Childs noted that she created I Will Not Go Gently, "...to show my daughter that love is possible. That joy is possible. That laughter with abandon is possible." 1812 Productions' mission is to create and produce theatrical works of comedy and comedic works of theatre. 1812 Productions is the only theatre company in the United States dedicated to comedy. Harriet Power, director of I Will Not Go Gently, said of the process, "Collaborating with Jen Childs is always utterly joyous, moving, and inspiring. Jen is uncannily able to both 'find the funny' and the serious in her life and the life around her. She is courageous, hilarious, surprising, and nuanced as a writer. She is fearless, vulnerable, and freewheeling as a performer. Those of us lucky enough to work with her also witness a caring, daring, immensely respectful leader and producer. I continue, months and years later, to hear viewers marvel at the lasting impact of seeing her original solo theatre works. I Will Not Go Gently reminds me to go for broke, defy expectations, and enjoy the ride!"

1812 Productions' education program, 1812 Outreach, has been a fixture at South Philadelphia High School and The Widener Memorial School for Children with Disabilities for 19 years with the principle of using comedy as an active learning tool. 1812 Outreach is the inaugural recipient of the Victory Foundation Award for Outstanding Theatre Education Program. The award was established at Theatre Philadelphia to recognize, "...the diverse, rich, and impactful education programs in the Philadelphia Theatre Community." The award is funded by the Victory Foundation and is accompanied by a $7.500 cash prize. Emily Kleimo, one of 1812 Productions' teaching artists, noted at the ceremony, "Year after year at The Widener Memorial School, we work with students with a wide range of abilities and challenges. But each year our goal remains constant; to work together to discover what makes each of them uniquely funny and to foster their one-of-a-kind voices, styles, and sensibilities."

These Barrymore Award recognitions come just one week after 1812 Productions was awarded a National Theatre Company Grant by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards. Created by the American Theatre Wing to recognize and support the most promising emerging theatre companies. The 2016 grants were presented to twelve companies from around the country. Companies chosen to receive the grants have articulated a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre.

"The quality of work that these remarkable theater companies produce is nothing short of inspiring," said Marva Smalls, Chair of the National Theatre Company Grants committee. "They further the conversations of issues important to their local communities." This is 1812 Productions' second National Theatre Company Grant. Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing added, "I am delighted to be honoring this year's selections for the National Theatre Company Grants, and for the first time ever awarding Second-Time Support grants to five companies that have previously been supported by this initiative. The Wing remains dedicated to promoting excellence in theatre across the country, which these young companies have more than demonstrated."

More information about the Barrymore Awards can be found HERE

More information about the National Theatre Company grants can be found HERE

Information can be found here about I Will Not Go Gently and 1812 Outreach

About 1812 Productions:
1812 Productions was founded in 1997 and is the only professional theater company in the country dedicated to comedy. With a focus on devised and original works, 1812 Productions' mission is to produce theatrical works of comedy and comedic works of theatre that explore and celebrate our sense of community, our history, and our humanity.

Photo by John Flak