Awards ceremony caps VPA’s 39th season

WASILLA — Valley Performing Arts capped its 39th season with its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony June 10.

Supporters, volunteers and patrons of Valley Performing Arts gathered on June 10th to celebrate VPA’s 39th season of providing quality live theatre at the Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla. Master of Ceremonies, Paul Beer, kept guests entertained as he introduced the presenters.

VPA Members (Season Ticket Holders) elected Paul Beer, Kevin Cochran, Mark Lee, and Dave Nufer to the VPA Board of Directors during the meeting. They also selected the following season standouts with the Members’ Choice Awards:

Best Set Design — Sheri Hamming, South Pacific

Best Lighting Design — Donald Forrester, South Pacific

Best Sound Effects — Larry Bottjen, South Pacific

Best Costume Design — Claire German, South Pacific

Best Supporting Actress — Patsy Tuisaula as “Bloody Mary,” South Pacific

Best Supporting Actor — Todd Broste as “Luther Billis,” South Pacific

Best Actor — Ed Ford as “Emile de Becque,” South Pacific

Best Actress —Tanya Hegg as “Nellie Forbush,” South Pacific

Best Director — Larry Bottjen, South Pacific

Best Production — South Pacific

VPA Board of Directors honored the following dedicated volunteers:

Volunteer of the Year — Grant Olson

Best Newcomer of the Year — Hyrum Neilson

Board Appreciation — Cherie LeBlanc-Shue

VPA’s newly retired Artistic Director, Larry Bottjen presented the Artistic Director’s Award to Frank Lombardo for his years of dedicated service and The Milking Stool Award went to Nate Nicholls for his performance as “Todd” in “Unnecessary Farce.”

Valley Performing Arts’ Season 40 is from Sept. 11 to May 29, 2016. Performances include “Jane Eyre;” “Bell, Book and Candle;” “Fruitcakes;” “The Hallelujah Girls;” “Anne of Avonlea;” “On Golden Pond;” and “The Fantaskticks.”

For season tickets, call 373-0195; individual tickets go on sale in August.