In 2006, I had the privilege to review productions of the theatre departments at Towson University, UMBC, as well as independent productions of college plays at the Baltimore Playwrights Festival, and presented by Spotlighters Theatre.  In 2007, I hope to add to this already fine list with other colleges.  These schools are training our next generation of actors, directors, writers and technicians.  If this small sample is any indication, the future looks very bright.  And how lucky we are to have such talent in out own city!  The productions under consideration were, alphabetically: The Adding Machine, The Cagebirds, Cloud 9, Date with a Stranger, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, Problem Child, Split, and Urinetown: The Musical.  Plays and musicals were considered together in all categories. 

          So, how did I get my picks?  Throughout the year, as I reviewed each show, I divided the outstanding elements of each show into the appropriate categories, and "graded" them from 0 to 100.  I kept nothing that received a score of less than 80.  The top scores in each category, except Outstanding Production, were chosen as my "Best of 2006".  Outstanding Production was based on the top averages of each show (scores in all other categories were added up and divided by the number of entries per show).  The "winners" are arranged alphabetically, not necessarily from top best to lowest best.  I selected between 1 and 5 winners per category, depending on the scores, and numbers of possible winners.  For example, there were more possible winners for Outstanding Supporting Actors, so I picked five, while there were many fewer lighting design possibilities, so I picked fewer.  Again, these are my personal picks for the best of the past year.  Comments?  Email me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.

Outstanding Production  

• The Adding Machine, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• Split, Uncommon Voices/Baltimore Playwrights Festival
• Urinetown: The Musical, Towson University Depatment of Theatre Arts

Outstanding Lead Actor

• Ryan Haase, Urinetown: The Musical, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Travis Hudson, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• R.Alex Kliner, The Adding Machine, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Steve Polites, Split, Uncommon Voices/Baltimore Playwrights Festival

Outstanding Lead Actress 

• Elisa Dugan, Urinetown: The Musical, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Stacey Eckler, Date with a Stranger, Spotlighters
• Karen Landry, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre  

Outstanding Supporting Actor

• J. McCaul Baggett, Split, Uncommon Voices/Baltimore Playwrights Festival
• Charlie Long, Cloud 9, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Aaron Moss, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actress

• Jacklyn Keough, Urinetown: The Musical, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Riley Koren, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• Lauren Pierce, Cloud 9, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts

Outstanding Ensemble

• The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• Split, Uncommon Voices/Baltimore Playwrights Festival

Outstanding Playwright

• The Faulkner Project, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• Ira Gamerman, Split, Uncommon Voices/Baltimore Playwrights Festival           

Outstanding Direction

• Robert Allen, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• Ian Belknap, Split, Uncommon Voices/Baltimore Playwrights Festival   
• Ian Bonds, Date with a Stranger, Spotlighters
• Diane Smith-Sadak, The Adding Machine, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts       

Outstanding Scenic Design

• Daniel Ettinger, The Adding Machine, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Daniel Ettinger, Cloud 9, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Daniel Ettinger, Urinetown: The Musical, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Terry Cobb, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• Jay Herzog, The Adding Machine, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Jay Herzog, Urinetown: The Musical, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts       

Outstanding Costume Design

• Georgia Baker, The Adding Machine, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
• Melanie Lester, The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying, UMBC Department of Theatre
• Daniel Rehbehn, Cloud 9, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts