Patrick Page, Diane D'Aquila Receive STC's Emery Battis Acting Awards

The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) congratulates this year's recipients of the Emery Battis Acting Award, Patrick Page and Diane D'Aquila. Since 2010, STC has recognized two actors per season who have demonstrated exceptional skill and technique on the stage. Page and D'Aquila were praised for their incredible performances as the title role in Coriolanus and dual appearances as Volumnia in Coriolanus and the Countess in Wallenstein, respectively. The award was presented December 3, 2013 at the opening night dinner for STC's current mainstage production, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, hosted by the Board of Trustees.

STC's Artistic Director Michael Kahn praised the work of both actors:

"There are few actors in the United States who possess all of Patrick Page's attributes: psychological awareness, coupled with responsive physicality and a vibrant vocal instrument that supports a canny knowledge of text. He has graced the Shakespeare Theatre Company stage with memorable performances as Iago and Macbeth but we honor him now for his superb embodiment of one of Shakespeare's most difficult and taxing roles which made our production of Coriolanus one we will always remember."

Of Diane, he added: "We were thrilled when Diane D'Aquila, a longtime Stratford Festival favorite, accepted our offer. This was her first appearance with STC and we know it won't be the last. In Coriolanus, the role of Volumnia requires an actor with passion, emotional acuity and textual agility. For all these wonderful attributes, we are thrilled to present Diane D'Aquila with the Emery Battis Award."

This award, named in honor of STC's longtime friend and Affiliated Artist, the late Emery Battis, is given based on the recommendation of a panel of 11 individuals, which includes theatre professionals, local critics and STC supporters. All performers and shows within STC's mainstage season are eligible for the award, which comes with a $5,000 cash prize made possible by the support of a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

Panelists nominate two actors each year who have given one of the season's most impressive performances, and whose commitment to not only classical theatre, but also not-for-profit theatre, is unmatched.

Patrick Page was previously seen on the STC stage as Claudius in Hamlet (Free For All), Iago in Othello and Macbeth in Macbeth. A veteran Broadway actor, Page most recently appeared as the Green Goblin in Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark. His other Broadway credits include Cyrano de Bergerac, A Man For All Seasons, Grinch - The Musical, The Lion King, Julius Caesar, Beauty and the Beast, The Kentucky Cycle and A Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway, he has performed in Rex, The Duchess of Malfi and the title role in Richard II. Regional productions include roles as Antony, Cyrano, Hamlet, Henry V, Iago, Macbeth, Malvolio, Richard II and Richard III at such theatres as ACT, Arizona Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Indiana Repertory, Long Wharf Theatre, Missouri Repertory, Old Globe Theatre, Pioneer Theater, Seattle Repertory and the Alabama, New York, Oregon and Utah Shakespeare festivals. Page can be seen in the Miramax film The Substance of Fire and on the television shows Law & Order: SVU, One Life to Live and All My Children.

DIANE D'AQUILA has a multitude of Shakespearean credits including the title role in Elizabeth Rex with Stratford Shakespeare Festival and the Chicago Shakespeare Festival, where she received the Jefferson Award for Best Actress. Her work with Stratford Shakespeare Festival includes other credits including Antony and Cleopatra, The Swanne, King John, Oedipus Rex, Richard III and King Lear. Other credits include productions with National Arts Centre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and American Repertory Theatre. International Credits include Alcestis and King Stag. Her film credits include Take This Waltz (director Sarah Polley), Good Neighbours (Park Ex Pictures) and Mary Silliman's War (PBS). She can be seen on television in productions including Minister of Culture in Slings and Arrows (two seasons) and 24hr Rental (Super Channel). In addition, she currently holds the Gemini Award for Best Actress and an ACTRA Award for Elizabeth Rex the TV movie.

Photo by Walter McBride