Theatre Tuscaloosa Announces 27th T. Earle Johnson Award Winners

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Theatre Tuscaloosa recently held its 27th annual T. Earle Johnson Awards Ceremony, where awards were presented during the theater company's version of the Tony Awards.

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Referred to as the "The T. Earles," the program recognizes excellence demonstrated by Theatre Tuscaloosa performers, technicians, volunteers, patrons, sponsors, and contributors.

Winners are voted on by audience members following the summer musical each season.

Service and volunteer awards

• Valerie Trull - Paul K. Looney, “Our Ox is in the Ditch” Award for taking on the role of Mavis in "The Hallelujah Girls," despite having only three weeks to learn the part.
• Mileidy Crespo-Jones - Newcomer of the Year for appearing in "Launch Day (Love Stories from the Year 2108)" and "Sister Act" — two shows in her first year.
• Kathy Grissom - Jake Leigeber Volunteer of the Year Award for "going above and beyond the call of duty."
• Ralph and April Lane - Patron of the Year Award for their contributions to the theatre.
• The cast, crew, and designers of "Launch Day (Love Stories from the Year 2108)" - Doug Perry Outstanding Service to the Theatre Award for bringing the production to the national stage.
• Riley Coker — the Charlie Dennis “Bear It” Award for Technical Service.

Acting Awards

• Ernie Turley - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play for his role as Porter Padget in "The Hallelujah Girls."
• Lindsey Jones - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical for her role as Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours in "Sister Act."
• Kazarious “Biscuit” Brown - Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play for his role as Brylo in "Launch Day (Love Stories from the Year 2108)."
• Ally Marie Skelton - Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical for her role as Sister Mary Robert in "Sister Act."
• Kenyatta “YaYa” Browne - Outstanding Leading Performance in a Play for her role as Ann Atwater in "Best of Enemies."
• Shannon Dionne - Outstanding Leading Performance in a Musical for her role as Deloris Van Cartier in "Sister Act."

Theatre Tuscaloosa also said Jones and Browne were inducted into the All-Star Cast — consisting of performers with three prior T. Earle Awards.

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