Theme & nominations announced for 2015-16 season Artsies

The theme for this year’s RTCC Awards is OUR THEATRE AND OUR COMMUINITY.

It will take place on Monday, October 17, 7:30 pm at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre.

We’ll not only be celebrating excellence in local theatre, but this year’s event will include:
• A celebration of the ways our theatres give back to the community,
• A look at the Theatre Artists Fund of Greater Richmond, which provides financial support in times of need, and
• A celebration of Artober, a month-long, city-wide celebration of arts and culture.

The “Artsies” awards show has become a defining event on the local arts calendar; this year, as always, it will feature stirring musical performances from productions nominated for Best Musical.

This year’s host is Desiree Roots, who won Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in “Caroline or Change” last year. She also wowed them as Effie in this summer’s “Dreamgirls.” Desiree is also well-known around town for her jazz singing and appearances as one of the “Richmond Divas.”

This is the first year that the award nomination process was carried out together with the Theater Alliance Panel (TAP), a select group of theater patrons and professionals chosen by the RVA Theatre Alliance. These volunteers lent their professional experience and perspective to the final decisions.

The members of the RTCC that voted on the nominations this year include:
• Tony Farrell (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Rich Griset (Style Weekly)
• Suan Haubenstock (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Julinda Lewis (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• John Porter (WCVE-FM)
• Jerry Williams (TVJerry.com / WRIR).

Both TAP and Circle members must have seen at least two-thirds of the locally-produced shows during the last season in order to vote.

Formal attire is encouraged for the awards ceremony, which is open to the public. Tickets for the event are $20 and go on sale August 8. They can be purchased from Virginia Rep at va-rep.org or 282-2620. The show starts at 7:30 at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre.

RTCC NOMINATIONS for the 2015-16 SEASON