NWTL Awards Ceremony

After weeks of anticipation, the first annual, Northwest Theatre Lab Awards Ceremony finally arrived.  This evening was something that the directors of Lia's children's theater decided to start hosting each year at the end of their four seasons of shows.  Since I knew that it was scheduled to be hosted just one week after Footloose ended, I knew that they would need all the help they could get and offered to be in charge of the potluck dinner for the 130 people who attended.  Since Lia was in shows three of the four seasons this past year, we knew that there was a high chance that she would be the recipient of at least one award.  In addition, since both Lia and Ella auditioned last month for scholarship money to use towards a future production, we had also hoped that they would each receive a scholarship since the directors were announcing the winners of this audition, too.

After purchasing Lia a new dress very last minute (that will also double as her dress for her 9th grade dance next week), the girls were super excited to get dressed up and attend the ceremony today.  After going down to help clean up and set up for the events two different times this past week, Ella joined me to arrive an hour early this evening to help direct traffic as the food arrived with the guests.  Since Lia was having her good friend, Mollie, come and do her hair, Ron brought Lia down right as the event was starting at 5 p.m.  As we had all imagined, this evening turned out to be the funnest night at the theater yet!  We were able to sit in the theater for 1.5 hours to watch both individuals and entire casts receive award after award for each of the eight full-length productions that NWTL had put on this past year.  It was so fun and so exciting to watch so many of these well-deserving and hard-working children and teenagers be recognized for their talents and efforts.  Lia received entire cast awards for all three of her plays.  In addition, she was awarded the biggest honor of them all--the Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role award for her role as Cruella de vil in 101 Dalmatians.  Only one actor for each of the eight plays was chosen for this award.  In addition, Lia earned a $375 scholarship and Ella earned a $100 scholarship to use towards one of the plays this coming year.  I was so grateful that both of them received a scholarship as they both worked so hard learning their song and memorizing their monologue for the audition that was done in front of a panel of three guest judges.  Since Ella has never even auditioned for a full-length production at this theater, this was really scary for her and out of her comfort zone, but she was did great and was recognized for her efforts!

After the awards ceremony was over, everyone enjoyed eating a delicious meal from the potluck dinner that I had organized.  It turned out to be a great success and there was a ton of leftovers after all 130 people had gone through the line.  We spent a fun filled evening eating, talking, and, of course, singing the night away.  I was so grateful for this wonderful, end-of-the-school-year celebration and for the fun opportunity it gave all of these kids to be together for one evening to relax and have fun!

Lia and the rest of the 101 Dalmatians cast receiving their "Excellent in Dance" award.

Lia and the Footloose cast receiving their "Excellence in Ensemble" award.  They also received an "Outstanding Dance in a Musical" award.

Lia and the cast of Descendants receiving an "Excellence in Ensemble" award.

Lia walking up to the front after her name was called as the recipient for the "Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role" for Cruella de Vil.  She was absolutely thrilled to win this award!

Lia hugging Mr. Burris as he hands her the award.  Mr. Burris is her drama teacher at school and is also one of the two musical directors at NWTL.

Lia looking down at her award.  I just love this picture.

Lia smiling to the audience!

Lia walking back to her seat while a bunch of her friends gave her "High 5s."  I just love how incredibly supportive and kind the kids are at this theater.

Lia smiling from ear to ear as she returns to her seat.

Ella walking up to the front to receive her scholarship award from Mr. Burris.

Lia posing for a picture with Miss Jen, one of the directors.

Ella heading back to her seat with the two directors, Blair and Jen, behind her.

Ella and Lia enjoying their dinner in the theater lobby.

Lia and Ella.

Mother and daughters.  What a proud night this was for me!

Lia posing with her new friend, Noah, who played Ren in Footloose.  Since he won the same "Outstanding Actor" award for his lead role in Footloose, the two of them posed with their big awards together.  Well done, you two!