Several Lipscomb theatre students were named as 2015 Most Promising Actors for The First Night Honors, an annual celebration of all things theatrical held in Nashville every September.
The First Night Honors, styled after the Tony Awards, is a ceremony held for the Nashville theatre community. Every September a gala recognizes the young Most Promising Actors, Star Award Winners and First Night Honorees for their performances and work produced.
Lipscomb students selected as Most Promising Actors this year are sophomores MacKenzie Lewis, Rebekah Stogner and Scott Patrick Wilson, junior Bekah Purifoy, and 2015 spring graduates Tyler Russell and Lacy Hartselle. They are joined by 16 other young performers.
“Being able to get my name out there in the theatre community in Nashville is great,” Stogner said. “Before this, I only knew of two theaters in the area and this process has opened me up to so much more. This was my first brush with the theatre world of Nashville.”
To determine who this season’s young Most Promising Actors would be, Nashville writer, editor and performance art critic Jeffrey Ellis traveled throughout the region seeing several shows and scouting young talent.
“If he sees someone, normally younger than 21 or 22, that is impressive to him, he’ll nominate them for the award,” Stogner said. “I was in Picnic earlier this year and I played a teacher. Jeffery directed the show and nominated me because of that.”
In addition to performing at the First Night Gala later in September and being recognized at the First Night Preview Party in July, the Most Promising Actors took center stage at The Darkhorse Theatre Sunday evening in an event to showcase the talent for which they were selected.
Lipscomb’s own director, choreographer and professor Kari Smith will be recognized at the First Night Gala as well. She has been selected to receive the First Night Star Award, which recognizes members of the theatre community for continued work and performances.
“I have done theatre and dance in Nashville since I was a kid, and after college I started my career in Theatre Education,” Smith said. “Now at Lipscomb, I teach theatre, dance, co-direct the dance company, direct and choreograph shows and recruit for the department. I love to perform as well and still get the chance to be in a show at least once a year. I also run Exit Stage Left improv troupe at Towne Centre.”
The gala this year will be held on Sept. 20 with staged tributes performed by a cast of more than 150 entertainers.
The theater department at Lipscomb held auditions last April for the upcoming fall shows. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” is set to open on Sept. 18 with “Into The Woods” opening later in October. Tickets can be purchased closer to the opening date.