JEFF NON-EQUITY AWARDS PRESENTED FOR THE 2009 – 2010 SEASON

Profiles Theatre’s “Killer Joe” and Theo Ubique’s “Chess” Garner Outstanding Production Awards

Chicago, IL. Chicago’s nationally-renowned storefront and black box theatre community gathered at the Park West tonight for its annual celebration as the Jeff Awards Non-Equity Wing gave out 28 Awards in 24 categories. In addition, a Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Chicago Theatre was given to Circle Theatre, celebrating its 25^th year. The festive event, attended by over 500, was emceed by Frances Limoncelli of Lifeline Theatre and Kevin Bellie of Circle Theatre.Top honors for Outstanding Production - Play went to Profiles Theatre’s “Killer Joe,” whose long, successful run has transferred to The Royal George. Outstanding Production – Musical honors were awarded to Theo Ubique’s “Chess,” a rarely produced show done in their tiny Rogers Park cabaret space, capping an evening in which the production walked away with a total of seven awards – the most for any single production or company. Fred Anzevino & Brenda Didier received directing awards for “Chess,” as did Rick Snyder for “Killer Joe.”The highly-coveted Outstanding Ensemble award went to Raven Theatre’s “Twelve Angry Men,” a riveting jury room drama which has become a stage classic.A number of experimental theatres received nods, including Red Tape Theatre for “Mouse in a Jar” for Sound Design by Miles Polaski, and Quest Theatre Ensemble for “Evolution/Creation” for James T. Scott’s Puppets, tying in the Artistic Specialization category with Lucas Merino for Projection Design in The House Theatre of Chicago’s “Wilson Wants it All.” Receiving an award for its first Jeff-eligible production was Dream Theatre Company’s “The Black Duckling,” which scored for Trevor Watkins’ Original Incidental Music.Principal Actor honors went to Darrell W. Cox for his portrayal of the brutal hit man in Profiles Theatre’s “Killer Joe” and Courtney Crouse as the brooding American chess champion in “Chess.” Principal Actress awards were garnered by Kendra Thulin for Steep Theatre Company’s sold-out, extended run of “Harper Regan” and Maggie Portman for “Chess.” Ms. Portman scored her second straight Jeff Award in the category, having won for “Evita” last year.The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With up to 50 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre, it is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards, and honors. The Jeff Awards fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. Jeff members evaluate over 250 theatrical productions and hold two awards ceremonies annually. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards established the Non-Equity Wing in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre. The next Equity Awards Ceremony, honoring productions presented under union contracts, in a recent change of date, will now be held on Monday October 25, 2010, at Drury Lane Oakbrook in Oakbrook Terrace.----------------------------------------------------------------------

2010 Non-Equity Jeff Award RECIPIENTS:PRODUCTION - PLAY “Killer Joe” - Profiles Theatre

PRODUCTION - MUSICAL “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

DIRECTOR - PLAY Rick Snyder - “Killer Joe” - Profiles Theatre

DIRECTOR - MUSICAL Fred Anzevino & Brenda Didier - “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

ENSEMBLE “Twelve Angry Men” - Raven Theatre

ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - PLAY Darrell W. Cox - “Killer Joe” - Profiles Theatre

ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL Courtney Crouse – “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY Kendra Thulin - “Harper Regan” - Steep Theatre Company

ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL Maggie Portman - “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - PLAY Peter Oyloe - “The Pillowman” - Redtwist Theatre

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - MUSICAL John B. Leen –“Chess ” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTNG ROLE - PLAY Nancy Friedrich - “The Crucible” - Infamous Commonwealth TheatreVanessa Greenway - “The Night Season” - Vitalist Theatre i/a/w Premiere Theatre & Performance

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL OR REVUE

Kate Garassino - “Bombs Away! ” - Bailiwick Repertory Theatre

NEW WORK Ellen Fairey - “Graceland” - Profiles TheatreMichael Rohd & Phillip C. Klapperich - “Wilson Wants It All” - The House Theatre of Chicago

NEW ADAPTATION Frances Limoncelli - “Busman’s Honeymoon” - Lifeline Theatre

CHOREOGRAPHY Brenda Didier - “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC Trevor Watkin - “The Black Duckling” - Dream Theatre Company

MUSIC DIRECTION Ryan Brewster – “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

SCENIC DESIGN John Zuiker - “I Am My Own Wife” - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble

LIGHTING DESIGN Sean Mallary - “St. Crispin’s Day” - Strawdog Theatre Company

COSTUME DESIGN Theresa Ham - “The Glorious Ones” - Bohemian Theatre EnsembleJoanna Melville - “St. Crispin’s Day” - Strawdog Theatre Company

SOUND DESIGN Miles Polaski - “Mouse in a Jar” - Red Tape Theatre

ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION Lucas Merino - Video Design - “Wilson Wants It All” - The House Theatre of ChicagoJames T. Scott - Puppets - “Evolution/Creation” - Quest Theatre Ensemble

FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY Geoff Coates - “Treasure Island” - Lifeline Theatre

SPECIAL AWARDCircle Theatre STATISTICS

In the Season ended March 31, 2010, the Jeff Awards Committee judged the opening nights of 116 non-Equity productions from 55 producing organizations. Of these, 51 productions were recommended by the opening night judges and became eligible for nominations.Total Nominations for 2009 – 2010 Season – 105Total Categories – 24Total Number of Companies receiving nominations - 26Total Number of Awards – 29 (including 2 ties, 2 double Awards, and 1 Special Award)

MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS - COMPANIES

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James – 7

Profiles Theatre – 4

Bohemian Theatre Ensemble – 2

The House Theatre of Chicago - 2Lifeline Theatre – 2

Strawdog Theatre Company – 2

MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS - PRODUCTIONS

“Chess” – 7“Killer Joe” – 3“St. Crispin’s Day” – 2“Wilson Wants It All” – 2

MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS – INDIVIDUALS

Brenda Didier – 2