Angela Konrad, Chair of the SAMC Theatre program at Trinity Western University, has been nominated for the Jessie Award for Outstanding Direction of Glass City Theatre’s production of Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train. The show received four additional nods, including Outstanding Production, at the nominations party on May 24.
“This show was a gift every step of the way,” Konrad says, “and apparently it’s a gift that keeps on giving! It really is an honour to be nominated, particularly in a season of terrific theatre.”
Rounding out the list of nominations were Lighting Design (Itai Erdal) and Actor in a Leading Role (two nominations for Carl Kennedy and Rob Olguin). Olguin, a TWU alumnus, recently joined the faculty as an acting instructor. He is also the founding Artistic Producer of Glass City Theatre, a compadirecny he started with fellow TWU alumnus Michael Wipf.
“Starting this company was a way to get my feet wet in the Vancouver theatre scene, having recently moved back here from Seattle,” Olguin says. “The response to the show was fantastic and the production – beginning with a sponsorship from John Fluevog Shoes, and now earning Jessie recognition – has exceeded my expectations. I’m very grateful.”
In other nominations honouring TWU artists, alumna Kaylee Harwood garnered one for her role as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical, The Musical with Carousel Theatre. Harwood won two Jessies last year; one for ensemble performance in A Year with Frog and Toad (Carousel) and one for Most Promising Newcomer. She is currently starring as Guenevere in Camelot at the renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
TWU’s longest-serving Theatre faculty member, Ron Reed, was honoured in his role as Artistic Director of Pacific Theatre. That company earned a unique nomination in the catch-all “Significant Artistic Achievement” category for “curation and execution of an outstanding season of theatre.” This season garnered Pacific Theatre, along with guest companies on their stage, a remarkable 21 nominations.
Pacific Theatre gave Konrad her first encounter with the Jessies. In 2007, she took home the statue for Outstanding Direction of Grace, which also won Best Production, and received nominations for all four actors. We’ll see if she can duplicate her success when the awards are handed out next month.
The Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards celebrate and promote outstanding achievement in the Vancouver professional theatre community. This year’s awards ceremony will take place at the Commodore Ballroom June 20. Tickets are $25.50 and available through Ticketmaster.