The Wave Magazine » Arts

2010 SILICON VALLEY SMALL THEATRE AWARDS

Editor — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:06:00 +0000

The tension in the room was so thick, not even a Ginsu knife could cut through it. The beads of sweat hung permanently fixed to the brows of each panel member. Not one was immune to such effects stemming from such a heavy responsibility. Lesser humans would indeed crumble under the sheer pressure of selecting honorees for the 5th Annual Silicon Valley Small Theatre Awards, but this assemblage of illustrious, qualified experts faced their challenge with the courage and determination of Hercules. The words “bring it” echoed eerily as the session commenced. The bouncer “Biff” stood guard ensuring the deliberation was cloaked in the utmost secrecy. How to choose? Who to honor? Such talent! Such art! And then at the close of hour 13, an envelope was produced. THE envelope. The contents of this envelope, you ask? The list of honorees you see here. Congratulations to all and a generous thank you for making this year such a difficult task. And the awards go to…

2010 Honorees

Standout Comedy Productions:

An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein – Dragon Productions Theatre Company
Bull in a China Shop – Santa Clara Players
Black Comedy, White Liars – California Theatre Center

Standout Adult Contemporary Productions:

Side Man – Dragon Productions Theatre Company
The Producers – South Bay Musical Theatre
Another Night Before Christmas – City Lights Theatre Company

Standout New Works Productions:

The Poptimists – Tabard Theatre Company
Tell it Slant – The Pear Avenue Theatre
Right Place, Right Time – Renegade Theatre Experiment

Standout Family & Youth Productions:

Oklahoma – Los Altos Youth Theatre
The Christmas Mouse – Santa Clara Players
Secret Life of Girls – Palo Alto Children’s Theatre

Standout Set Design:

Treasure Island – Bus Barn Stage Company
The Seafarer – San Jose Stage Company
The Illusion – The Pear Avenue Theatre

Standout Costumes:

Hello Dolly – South Bay Musical Theatre
Sullivan and Gilbert – Douglas Morrison Theatre
Taming of the Shrew – Arclight Repertory

Standout Technical Design:

Dead Man Walking (Media) – City Lights Theatre Company
Woman in Black (Lights) – Northside Theatre Company
The Memory of Water (Lights) – Dragon Productions Theatre Company
Bug (Makeup and Props) – Renegade Theatre Experiment
Gypsy (Sound) – Hillbarn Theatre

Artists to watch for next season:

Michael Johnson, Sarah Griner, Katie O’Bryon, David Mister, Dan Singletary (Musical Direction and Sound), StirFry Theatre (Company debut of Falsettoland), Casey Semple, Robert Campbell, Jennifer Jane Parsons, Mathew Lai, William J. Brown III, Chris Carter

WHO IS NOMINATED? CHECK HERE FOR THE PANEL GUIDELINES WHICH ARE USED TO HELP SELECT HONOREES!

Alice in Wonderland

Editor — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:23:44 +0000

AtmosTheatre is presents for their 2010 Season, Alice in Wonderland, adapted by Brian Markley and directed by Amy Clare Tasker. Alice in Wonderland will be performed as part of a guided hike through redwood-filled forest property. The ninth annual show for Theatre in the Woods is the first adapation of a literary classic and the first adaptation by a company member.

Presented by Theatre in the Woods at Theatre in the Woods, 2170 Bear Gulch Road West
Woodside (415) 668-2879 www.atmostheatre.com

This production runs through September 19, 2010 with show times Saturday & Sunday at 1pm MAP

Learn To Throw Clay

Editor — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:50:56 +0000

It’s fun playing in the mud. It was fun as a kid, and you’ve got to admit that it’s fun now. Come on, we know you want to get your hands dirty and make little mud people and creatures. And we also know that, as fun as playing with mud is, that you’ll be awfully disappointed to see your little mudleans fall apart soon after creation. So why not take this playing to the next level with some pottery lessons where you can get your mud bunnies fired, hardened (don’t worry, they’ll be fine!) and ready for the mantle. Here’s a list to get you started. Good luck!

The Art Beat, 68 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell(408) 370-5002 www.theartbeat.net

Blossom Hill Crafts, 15900 Hill Rd., Los Gatos (408) 356-9035 www.blossomhillcrafts.com

Petroglyph, multiple locations www.petroglyph.com

Dance Like The Stars

Editor — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:52:00 +0000

Obsessed with watching celebrities transform their awkward stiff selves into elegant ballroom goddesses? You can do it too! Learn the art of ballroom dancing at the San Jose Ballroom Dance Sport Center with an array of classes to choose from, including salsa, merengue, cha cha, waltz, swing, foxtrot, rumba, tango and more. Youth, private and wedding dance classes, along with Friday and Saturday night dance parties, are also offered! Here’s your chance to acquire proper posture, spicy new moves, a little Latin fever, and perhaps even the eyes of several drooling onlookers.

San Jose Ballroom Dance Sport Center, 1824 Hillsdale Avenue, San Jose (408) 264-9393

Saaaay Cheeeeese

Editor — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:35:26 +0000

Photo: By Chris Schmauch

We think everyone remembers being dragged to Sears or JCPenney, kicking and screaming, to get yearly photos taken as kids. The ordeal usually consisted of being propped in front of some country scene backdrop with maybe a barn or some preindustrial wooden bridge, as you were made to rest your arms awkwardly on a white fence. Thankfully things have changed, and they’ve changed for the better. You can now take advantage of studios and photographers who will use an artistic eye and natural settings to display emotion, personality and anything but annoying faces. Bring the whole family to get photographed, and be proud instead of embarrassed of your new photos.

Classic Kids Photography – Hip Shots for Kids, 155 N. Santa Cruz Ave. #A, Los Gatos (408) 354-9116 www.classickidsphotography.com

GoodEye Photography + Design, Silicon Valley (408) 431-4808 www.goodeyeblog.com

Classes at Green Planet Yarn

Editor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:51:02 +0000

Wow your friends and family this year by giving them gifts made with your own hands. And really, when it’s something you’ve made yourself, it’s not just a scarf or a throw on the couch, it’s art. Head over to Green Planet Yarn and sign up for classes to get your creative juices flowing. Classes include basic knitting and crocheting, as well as specific classes on scarves, mittens, oven mitts, hats, socks, pillows and more.

Green Planet Yarn, 368 E. Campbell Ave., Ste. 100, Campbell www.greenplanetyarn.com

Two Buck Tuesdays

Editor — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:36:01 +0000

The words “two bucks” are never associated with art, except in the case of Two Buck Tuesdays, that is. Kaleid Gallery hosts them every third Tuesday of the month, and they’re awesome. Admission is free, and small pieces of one-of-a-kind, signed art are scattered throughout the gallery at $2 a pop. Tuesdays have never been so exciting! Expect to witness quirky speakers, music and live sketch artists. You’re also invited to bring your art supplies to take a spot at the sketch table (first come, first serve) and to eat snacks! This all happens amongst the gallery’s current art exhibits (which display pieces greater than $2, btw), ranging from paintings and drawings to pottery and jewelry. Check out the website for specifics on the next third Tuesday and for current exhibit info.