It IS an Honor Just to Be Nominated…

2019 Non-Equity Jeff Awards – Anthaneum Theatre

I’ve always liked the Tony Awards more than the Oscars, and it’s because of the speeches. They are just more fun. I think that is due, in no small part, to the fact that stage actors have more experience speaking in front of a live audience. But largely, I just always feel the passion more directly. Acting is not an easy life, and there’s something about seeing someone succeed at something they truly love that is compelling. That lesson was reinforced last night at the Jeff Non-Equity Awards, the regional theater awards for non-Equity shows.

Theo Ubique’s Bridges of Madison County and The Artistic Home’s Reqiuem for a Heavyweight were the big winners, picking up best musical and play, respectively, along with awards for their directors. Mark Pracht from Requiem and Patrick Agada from Jackalope’s Dutch Masters picked up the best leads in a play, and Kelli Harrington from Bridges of Madison County shared lead performance in a musical with Missy Wise from Boho’s production of Bright Star. Trap Door Theater was also given special recognition for its work bringing unique shows from Eastern Europe to Chicago.

I don’t want to get too lost in the weeds of reciting of the list of nominees and winners; the link is below. What I will say is the evening, hosted to perfection by Breon Arzell (who also won for Best Choreography), was a delightful celebration of some seriously talented and seriously underappreciated actors. I don’t know of any non-Equity actor who makes a living performing full time. All of them teach or work other job in and outside the arts, all to make doing the next show possible.

The other thing it underscored for me was how lucky I am to live in this city. I’ve managed to see at least one or two shows in most of the categories and I’m always floored by how amazing theater in this city is. I can count three amazing theaters in three blocks from house. Widen that radius, and I would quickly lose count. World class theater is going on literally down the street from wherever you are, being performed by gifted performers who are passionate about the work they are doing.

The thing I think I loved the most about getting to go to the awards was the energy in the room. Casts sat together and cheered on their colleagues, cheered on other shows. There was a sense in the room that they all shared a genuine love for what they were doing and were grateful for the ability to do it, so it made it less a competition and more a celebration.

So do yourself a favor, and support your local storefront theater and go see next year’s nominees now.

Review by Kevin Curran

A complete list of winners and nominees can be found here.