Annual YNOT Awards recognize efforts, contributions of Jefferson organizations, actors
Marcia Thomas/Contributing Writer
An enthusiastic group of theatre members and actors with the Opera House Theatre Players met for the annual membership meeting and acting awards on Saturday at Enoch’s Wine and Coffee in downtown Jefferson.
President of the community theatre, Marcia Thomas, welcomed all to the special evening that each year recognizes the actors as well as local town folk and businesses who have contributed amazing support to the group as well as to the community over the past season.
President Thomas summarized the past season , which happened to be the 35th season of producing live theatre to the community since its founding. She explained that “all the stops were pulled out” for this season because of the big celebration of over three decades for the group that has very limited funding and resources to work with. She spoke of each production and how they were received including one that was planned but had to be changed at the last moment and still provided an entertaining evening of theatre.
The most challenging event produced the past season was the opening kick-off event that was moved at the last minute to the City-owned tourist building due to the prolonged heat wave of August and September 2023. A Roaring Jazz-Age Gatsby theme was used to stage the evenings entertainment with an imported group of musicians from Cincinnati and Dallas, the Hotsy-Totsy Boys, who played tunes from the 20s through the 50s while champagne flowed courtesy of board member Jane Maddox and husband Joe’s relatives in Oregon who donated the entire amount needed. Several musical numbers by some of the theatre’s major talent presented songs of the period, a silent auction with items furnished by local businesses, and the announcement of local recognition awards were part of the evenings menu as well. To finish, Pres Thomas asked those present to remember seven vital things that a community theatre stands for. They are: 1) Diverse artistic experiences and a platform tor talent 2) serves as an educational tool with experiences in responsibility, committment, and how to work with others 3) fosters local pride and identity 4) offers affordable entertainment for a wider audience 5) brings economic impact through visitors that visit restaurants and shops and, finally, 6) theatre on stage offers a creative outlet for people of all ages, especially in talent showcases.
Following that, Pres Thomas explained that the board of directors has made selections for some local awards and created this lagniappe some years ago as a way of saying “thanks” to the town for exhibiting support and enthusiasm to the Players as well as to visitors. Those chosen for the several awards were: Tony’s Italian Restaurant received the Sherry’s Big Heart Award, accepted by owners Tony Perez and Esther Ventura; The Good Neighbor Award was given to the local Lions Club and accepted by Lion Debbie Graves; the Spotlight Award was awarded to Kennedy Manor owners Jim and Tracy Engels whom we were told were out of the country; and the Dorothy Award went to the Candlelight Tour of Homes and was accepted by Laura Omer a and Howard Blatch on behalf of the Historic Jefferson Foundation.
The final evenings awards announced were the YNOT Acting Awards which are chosen by vote of the membership. The title, YNOT, is a reverse spelling of the famous Tony Awards of NYC and seemed to fit the little theatre’s idea of spreading the good news to the community and area. Winning the award for Best Supporting Actor was Joe Todaro; Best Supporting Actress went to Jane Maddox, both of whom were not able to be present. The Best Lead Actress Award was accepted by Lisa Daye who was present; and the Best Lead Actor award went to Cheyenne Mobbs who was unable to be present due to illness. The final onstage award was for Best Stage Production of the season, to nobodies surprise, went to “It’s A Wonderful Life” directed by Jane Maddox who, being unable to attend, will receive the trophy by mail. The beloved Christmas story was so well received in the past two seasons that, by popular demand it will be returning for performances in December 2024.
In closing the evenings awards, Pres Thomas announced that the groups most prestigious award, the Lucille M. Terry Cultural and Performing Arts Award, is selected by the Boards of Directors yearly and the winner is profiled in a new brochure scheduled to be available soon. The selection is always featured as the “epitome of arts interest” – performances, cultures and consistent visible support” for not only the Opera House Theatre Players but for many other groups and professional presentations in the Ark-La-Tex area.
The upcoming season which is the 36th Season, has selected by unanimous vote of the Board, our friends and cohorts in this endeavor for many years – 39 collectively by count – Dian Beaird and her grandson, Riley Cox. A board member of over 20 years, Dian came to a board meeting once with a two week old infant, Riley, cradled in her arms – and, it was «love at first sight.» Dian is not only an active member as Secretary-Treasurer, but an actress on occasion also, a retired school teacher who for a time, home-schooled Riley and eventually introduced him to the stage. Riley is now a14 yr old teen and a talented fellow who plays several horns and other musical instruments, appearing with the Players numerous times over years. In addition, he also works with several other young peoples groups in the area, plays baseball in season and gigs his show around a wide area of east Texas.
The “Dynamic Duo,” as we call them, will be featured in the new brochure to be available soon.