December 18, 2014 VOLU M E 9 1 | I SS UE 1 8
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AWARD WINNING The Edge Theater hosts 4th annual Edgy Awards
By Clarke Reader
EDGY AWARD WINNERS
creader@colorado communitymedia.com The Edge Theater has a created a vibrant and dynamic in just a few short years, and nearly all the family members were on hand for the fourth annual Edgy Awards on Dec. 15. “This is our chance to say thank you to everyone that contributed to our season,” said Rick Yaconis, executive artistic director for The Edge. “This is our first full year with our partners at 40 West (Arts District), who were certified as a Colorado Creative District, and we’re really proud of the partnership.” Yaconis described 2014 as a breakthrough year for the theater, after receiving recognition from Westword magazine for best season, the theater receiving its first Henry Award for Emma Messenger’s performance in “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” and record-breaking ticket sales. The theater also hosted its third world premiere with Ellen K. Graham’s “The Familiars.” “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” was the big winner of the night, with six awards going to production. The winners in all the categories were voted on by those who attended all seven of the theater’s shows this season and last year’s winners were there to present. Messenger won best supporting actress for the second year in a row, this time for “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.” “This one means a lot because it comes from home,” she said. “Michael Stricker (the show’s director) sent us all a letter about how our characters are fighting for love, and that stuck with me. I’ll never forget playing Mag.” Dan Mundell took home the award for best supporting actor in his inaugural role in “Buried Child.” “The Edge is a place of hospitality, caring and respect,” he said. “Everyone is a treat to work with, from the cast to the crew.” Frequent director and actors Robert Kramer and Scott Bellot presented the technical awards and lauded the teams that help bring the stories to life. “As a director here at the Edge, we are blessed to work with amazing designers,” Kramer said. “They keep elevating the craft every year.” Christopher Waller won best set design for “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” and Kevin Taylor took home the Edgy for best lighting design for “A Steady Rain.”
Best production: “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” Best actress: Emily Paton Davies - “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” Best actor: Christian Mast - “Orphans” Best director: Michael Stricker - “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” Best supporting actress: Emma Messenger - “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” Best supporting actor: Dan Mundell - “Buried Child” Best ensemble: “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” Best set design: Christopher Waller - “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” Best lighting design: Kevin Taylor - “A Steady Rain” Best sound design: Kenny Storms - “The Graduate” Best costume design: Caroline Smith - “The Graduate” Rick’s Picks: Erika Kay - unique contribution to the theater Bevin Antea - outstanding comedic performance “The Graduate” Lara Maerz - outstanding contribution to the theater
Kenny Storms won best sound design for his work on “The Graduate” and said the family he found in his first year at the theater have made it a very special year. Caroline Smith took home the award for best costume design for “The Graduate.” The cast of “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” was recognized as best ensemble and director Michael Stricker won for best director. Every year Yaconis hands out his “Rick’s Picks” awards for people who made important contributions to the theater and this year he had three people to recognize. Erika Kay was recognized for her set painting that adds new levels of detail to each set, Bevin Antea for outstanding comedic performance in “The Graduate” and Lara Maerz for outstanding contribution to the theater. “Lara has built a great team of people who have upped our game,” he said. “She’s made it easy and better to work here.” Christian Mast won best actor for his role in “Orphans” and dedicated the award to his father, who died right before the show opened. “I was able to escape on stage. It was not a safe show, but I was so thrilled to be a part of it,” he said. Emily Paton Davies won best actress for her role in “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” right before the show won for best produc-
The Edge Theater’s executive artistic director Rick Yaconis presents Erika Kay with an Edgy award for her set-painting work during the Edgy Awards. Photos by Clarke Reader
Scott Bellot, left, and Robert Kramer, right, present the technical awards at The Edge Theater’s fourth annual Edgy Awards. tion. “I want to thank everyone who is here tonight — we talk on the board regularly about the community that has been created here,” said Don Patarino, president of The Edge’s
board of directors. “We’re not corporate here — it’s a really cool nonprofit theater that has had its best season yet.” For more information on the theater visit www.theedgetheater.com.
Breakfast hosts state reps and senators By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com Legislators from Adams and Jefferson counties made a stop in Westminster to share their goals for the upcoming session during the annual Metro North Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast. The Dec. 12 event featured three state senators, Laura Woods SD 19, Beth Martinez-Humenik SD 32, and Mary Hodge SD 25 and nine representatives including: Libby Szabo HD 27, Joe Salazar, HD 31, Dianne Primavera HD 33, Faith Winter HD 35, Tracy Kraft-Tharp HD 29, Dominick Moreno HD 32, Steve Lebsock HD 34, Kevin Priola HD 56 and Lori Saine HD 63. The breakfast program offered an opportunity for the legislators to discuss their focus during the 2105 session and allowed the audience to ask questions. As newly elected representa-
State representatives and senators attended the annual Metro North Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast on Dec. 12 in Westminster. Photo by Ashley Reimers tives, Martinez-Humenik, Winter and Lebsock were asked how they plan on bring their experience from the local government level to the capitol. Winter, who previously served on Westminster city council, said she plans on using her experience in working closing with people in her community to her advantage at the state level. “Coming from local government you take the pot hole calls and the barking dog calls so you
really feel connected to your community,” she said. “That sets you up for success in listening to your community and really taking their hopes and dreams to the capitol.” Lebsock’s response was geared around the need to work closely with other governmental entities. During his time on Thornton City Council he learned the value of intergovernmental agreements and the benefits of working to-
gether with other municipalities. “It’s easy to put the blinders on and only look at what’s best for those you directly serve,” he said. “But the best government comes when you look around and help others succeed.” Martinez-Humenik, who also served on Thornton city council, said she hopes to bring her experience working with a budget, how to fund capital improvement projects and dealing with residents’ concerns to the state level. Representatives Moreno and Szabo, who are both in leadership positions at the legislature, were asked what their priorities will be next session. Moreno, who was recently elected to serve as the majority assistant caucus chair, said he will focus on supporting members and ensuring every bill has a fair hearing. “My priority is making sure we have a fair process and that everyone feels they have a voice and that their ideas are heard,” he said. Szabo, who is in her second
team serving as assistant minority leader, said she takes her role very seriously to ensure her colleagues have the resources they need to achieve the work and goals of the caucus. The representatives and senators were asked other questions varying from oil and gas to transportation. When it came to education funding, just two representatives spoke up: Priola and Primavera. After many failed initiatives in Adams County school districts, the question was asked about whether or not school districts in the state would see any funding relief. Priola discussed the eminent growth in western Adams County and offered an idea surrounding a growth factor. “Maybe there needs to be something to look at in school finance about a future growth factor,” he said. “There are a lot of things the census can do in terms Breakfast continues on Page 14