Des Moines Community Playhouse Announces Dionysos Award Honoroees

The Des Moines Community Playhouse held the 2011 Dionysos Awards on Sunday, July 24. The theatre honored 16 backstage, front-of-house, and education volunteers, and announced nine acting award winners.

Susan Sheriff received the Dick Brown Superior Volunteer Award. The award is named for longtime Playhouse volunteer, Dick Brown, who embodied the theatre's volunteer program and was nationally recognized for his community theatre volunteer service. Sheriff received the Superior Volunteer Award for her work on every show in the 2010-11 season. She painted scenery, built props, shifted scenery, and much more.

Anne Frett received the Gypsy Award. The Gypsy Award, nominated by the season's stage managers, is given to an actor, typically not a lead, who has shown dedication to the show, assisting in ways above and beyond their role. Frett was a chorus member of "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Her stage managers cited her willingness to take on additional responsibility, and the way she goes out of her way to help cast members new to the Playhouse.

Receiving the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Awards were Sam Bates-Norum, Linda Brown, Jerry Eisenhour, Jean Fargo, Pam Gabby, Cheryl Hamilton, Christen Harms, Will Johnson, Ginger Kuhl, Samuel Maude, Ann Skallerup, Amy Skarin, Jake Skarin, Jordan Skarin, Bob Stilwell, and John Wetherell. This group of volunteers, ranging in age from 14 to 80+, gave their time to building sets and props, sewing costumes, shifting scenery, running lights and sound, acting, organizing auditions, visiting classrooms, corresponding with students about shows, touring the state with radio shows, tearing tickets, and welcoming motorcoach groups.

The Playhouse also noted the contributions of past Dick Brown Superior Volunteer Award winner, Steve Claussen. Claussen was awarded the Vital Volunteer Award from his corporation, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, for his work at the Playhouse.

Actor Awards were given in both the Mainstage and Kate Goldman Children's Theatre. Actors were nominated by audiences, with winners chosen by season ticket holders.

In the Mainstage Theatre, Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical went to Nick Toussaint, who played Aldolpho in "The Drowsy Chaperone." Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical was a tie: Megan Schettler Schug for her role as Christine Colgate in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," and Sue Tell in the title role in "The Drowsy Chaperone." Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Play went to Eric Bench for his role as Duwell in "Duck Hunter Shoots Angle." Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Play went to Liz Peterson for her role as Carrie Ann in "Still Life."

In the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre, Mark Toebben received Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical for his multiple roles as Mr. Blandsworth, Al Catraz, and Detective McSmogg in "Miss Nelson is Missing!" Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical went to Jodi Stanfield, who played Miss Nelson and Viola Swamp in "Miss Nelson is Missing!" Sam Bates-Norum received Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Play for his role as Earthworm in "James and the Giant Peach." Maddy Swaim won Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Play for her role as Gooney Bird Greene in "Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures."

The nearly 300 volunteers and Playhouse subscribers at Sunday's awards paid tribute to the memory of two important members of the Des Moines theatre community who died during the past season: Milton Brown and Liska Miller. Brown was an actor and longtime supporter. Miller was involved in youth programming. A scholarship has been established by her family in her honor.

The Playhouse also paid tribute to the 2011 Legends, who received awards at a special event on Saturday, July 23. These honorees were Al Downey, Jeanne Hopson, Jack Mishler, and John Thompson.

The Playhouse annually recognizes the more than 1,400 active volunteers who give more than 77,000 hours to the theatre. The Dionysos Awards are named for the Greek god and patron deity of the theater.

The Playhouse volunteer program is open to ages 14 and up for backstage and front-of-house opportunities, and ages 8 and up for acting opportunities. Training is provided. For more information on volunteer opportunities with The Playhouse, call 515-255-3741.

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