Origin's 1st Irish Theatre Festival Awards
(released
3/4/2018)
By Kimberly Burke
Origin's 1st Irish Theatre Festival was held January 9-29, 2018. This was the first year the event was held in January in the festival's 10 year history. It is produced by Origin Theatre Company with a mission to foster creativity, inclusion and showcase the best the Island of Ireland has to offer. This is the only Irish theatre festival in New York City and featured over 198 playwrights over the years. On January 29, 2018 the closing night, the awards ceremony was held at The Manhattan Club inside Rosie O'Grady's located in Times Square.
The blue ribbon panel of judges included NY Observer Harry Haun, the actor and opera singer Elmore James, and the Irish Echo's theatre critic and cultural correspondent Orla O'Sullivan.
The following is a list of awards and winners:
Best Actress - Haley Mills in Party Face
Best Actor - Mick Mellamphy in Guy Walks Into A Bar
Best Playwright - Bernard McMullen for Jimmy Titanic
Best Design - The Only Jealousy of Emer
Best Director - John Keating for Dying for It
Best Production - Party Face
Additional awards included:
The Fringe Award was presented to the productions of New York Irish, Guy Walks into a Bar, and Poor Man.
The Jury Special Prize to recognize Acting, Directing, or Design.
This year, the judges wanted to recognize Colin Campbell of the production Disco Pigs for his physical and verbally risk taking performance.
Finally, the Bairbre Dowling Spirit of the Festival Award to recognize Jenny Green as an individual who exceeds expectation with her work behind the scenes of the festival in many roles to make the festival happen. In accepting the award, Green said Origin's Artistic Director George C. Heslin who chose her for the award was "an inspiration".
Origin Theatre Company is located at 520 Eighth Avenue Suite 329 A, New York, NY 10012. Follow the Company here: www.origintheatre.org
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