<![CDATA[Theatre of Gadsden - Backstage Blog]]>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:44:42 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Announcing the 2019 Toggle Award Winners!]]>Mon, 27 Jan 2020 00:37:34 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/announcing-the-2019-toggle-award-winners
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 Congratulations to our 2019 Toggle Award recipients! Thank you all for another incredible season, and we look forward to seeing some incredible performances in 2020!

Best Actor - Seth Williamson - To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Actress - Kristi Nichols - To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Supporting Actor - Ethan Kennedy – To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Supporting Actress - Krista Bischoff – The Miracle Worker
Best Female Newcomer - Mady Henry – Quilters
Best Male Newcomer - Seth Williamson – To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Costume Design - Molly Page – To Kill a Mockingbird
Show Stopper Award - Ava Claire Campbell and Paige Hancock - Miracle Worker
President’s Award - Teresa Jones
Dottie McCollum/Basil Gilchrist Award - Rhonda Kiser Ledbetter
Theatre Guild Award - Becky Downey
Best Ensemble - Cast of Looking for a City
Director’s Choice Award - Teresa Jones, Jenn Boozer, and Tabitha Bozeman
Volunteer of the Year - Angie Campbell
Choreography  Kelly Page – Annie
Director of the Year - Mike Beecham – To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Technical - Jackson Gray, Harrison Hood, Rick Wills – Quilters
Best Set Design - Hilary Jackson, - To Kill A Mockingbird
Musical Director - Cheryl Moorer - Annie
Best Show - To Kill a Mockingbird
Stage Manager Award - Nica Hodge
Up and Coming Award - Grace Anne Page - To Kill A Mockingbird, Ava Claire Campbell - The Miracle Worker, Sarah Crow - Annie, Noah Whitley - To Kill A Mockingbird, Ethan Kennedy - To Kill A Mockingbird
Best Cameo - Rebecca Moorer - Annie
]]><![CDATA[Congratulations to our 2018 Toggle Award Winners!]]>Sun, 27 Jan 2019 06:33:00 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/congratulations-to-our-2018-toggle-award-winnersWe are proud to announce the recipients of the 2018 Toggle Awards! Thank you all for joining us for this evening of entertainment and fun, and we look forward to 2019!

Outstanding Musical Direction:
Judy Holt Shealy and Angie Campbell, Jesus Christ Superstar

Outstanding Set:
Jesus Christ Superstar

Outstanding Costume Design:
Molly Page, Jesus Christ Superstar

Outstanding Technical Design:
Jesus Christ Superstar

Outstanding Choreography:
Carrie Colton, Gypsy

Outstanding Director:
Mike Beecham, Jesus Christ Superstar

Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Role:
Jennifer Frederick as the Sign Girl, Gypsy

Outstanding Theatre of Gadsden Debut - Male:
Charlie Bryant as Judas, Jesus Christ Superstar

Outstanding Theatre of Gadsden Debut - Female:
Luciana Fleming as Geneva, The 1940s Radio Hour

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor:
Dennis Tarkington as June, Second Samuel

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress:
Kristi Stafford Nichols as June, Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:
Corey Ellis as B-Flat, Second Samuel

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:
Casey Browning Shehi as Mama Rose, Gypsy

Director's Choice:
Kimberly Patton

Volunteer of the Year:
Hilary Jackson Blackwood

McCollum/Gilchrist Award:
Mike Beecham

President's Award:
Beth DiRoma

Outstanding Stage Manager:
Nica Hodge

Guild Award:
Ethlyn Harrell

Up and Coming Award:
Grace Anne Page & Cammy Townsend

Show Stoppers:
Hannah Culpepper, Molly Page, & Brandy Townsend

Merlin Award:
Mike Plemons

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble:
The Cast of Ring of Fire

Outstanding Show:
Jesus Christ Superstar
]]><![CDATA[Announcing the 2018 Toggle Nominees!]]>Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:06:55 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/announcing-the-2018-toggle-nomineesAfter narrowing down the lists from our online and judges votes, we are proud to announce the final list of nominees for the 2018 Toggle Awards. Check out the below list for the full list of nominees, and make sure to come see the winners at the Toggles at 7:30 pm on January 26! Tickets are only $5 and include some fantastic performances, as well as a reception! Get your tickets by calling (256) 547-7469 or clicking the button below!

Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Role
1. Hervey Folsom as Ruby Mae, Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming
2. Jennifer Frederick as the sign girl, Gypsy

Outstanding Theatre of Gadsden Debut - Male
1. Charlie Bryant as Judas, Jesus Christ Superstar
2. Corey Ellis as B-Flat, Second Samuel
3. Gavin Haynes as Simon, Jesus Christ Superstar
4. Mitchell James as U.S., Second Samuel
5. Mark Walker as Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar

Outstanding Theatre of Gadsden Debut - Female
1. Madison Farrow as Connie, The 1940s Radio Hour
2. Luciana Fleming as Geneva, The 1940s Radio Hour
3. Betty Gowins as Omaha, Second Samuel
4. Haley Holmes as Dainty June, Gypsy
5. Autumn Hunt as Jimmy DeeAnne, Second Samuel

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor
1. Derek Goins as Herod, Jesus Christ Superstar
2. Mitchell James as U.S., Second Samuel
3. Brian Mintz as Mr. Mozel, Second Samuel
4. David Wooten as Pilate, Jesus Christ Superstar
5. Dennis Tarkington as June, Second Samuel
6. Seth Wilson as Dennis, Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress
1. Hannah Culpepper as Ginger, The 1940s Radio Hour
2. Hannah Culpepper as Electra, Gypsy
3. Cheryl Stafford Moorer as Denise, Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming
4. Kristi Stafford Nichols as June, Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming
5. Kimberly Patton as Marcela, Second Samuel

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
1. Charlie Bryant as Judas, Jesus Christ Superstar
2. David Carn as Johnny, The 1940s Radio Hour
3. Corey Ellis as B-Flat, Second Samuel
4. David Jones as Herbie, Gypsy
5. Mark Walker as Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar
6. Glen Williams as Burl, Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
1. Haley Holmes as Mary Magdalene, Jesus Christ Superstar
2. Kristi Stafford Nichols as Ann, The 1940s Radio Hour
3. Linda Robertson as Vera, Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming
4. Casey Browning Shehi as Mama Rose, Gypsy
5. Mahaley Tucker as Louise, Gypsy

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
1. The cast of Ring of Fire
2. The Disciples in Jesus Christ Superstar
3. The Hollywood Blondes in Gypsy
4. The Older Newsboys in Gypsy
5. The Soul Girls in Jesus Christ Superstar
6. The Young Newsboys in Gypsy

Outstanding Show
1. Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming
2. Second Samuel
3. Gypsy
4. Jesus Christ Superstar
5. The 1940s Radio Hour

Additional awards will be decided on by the Board of Directors, the TOG Guild, and other entities and presented at this show. Make sure to be here Saturday to check out the winners!
Get tickets now!
]]><![CDATA[Announcing the 2017 Toggle Award Winners!]]>Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:39:57 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/announcing-the-2017-toggle-award-winnersCongratulations goes out to all of the winners of the 2017 Toggle Awards! Of course, with such an amazing season behind us, we wish we could have given awards to everyone involved, because they all were contributors to the successes of 2017! Thank you to everyone who was a part of making this past season great, and we hope to see you all back in 2018!

Outstanding Choreographer:
          Carolyn Marrs for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
 
Outstanding Music Director:
          Billy Jenkins for Ring of Fire
 
Outstanding Director:
          Mike Beecham for The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Set Design
          Cody Beshears, Richard Dean and Crew for The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Costume Design
          Connie Howard Ables for The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Technical Design
          Cody Beshears and Team for The Diary of Anne Frank
 
 Outstanding Stage Manager
          Nica Fish Hodge, Hannah Brown, and Amber Rigsby-Bellew for The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Role
          Forrest Hinton as Jacob in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
 
Outstanding Theatre of Gadsden Debut
          Kelly Connaughton as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
          David Wooten as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
 
Outstanding Assistant to the Director
          Kimberly Patton for The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress
          Juli Christensen as Bloody Mary in South Pacific
 
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor
          Trey Miller as Mr. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
          McKenna Hodge as Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
          Bret Fletcher as Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank
 
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
          The Sailors in South Pacific
 
Laughter Through Tears Award
          Kristina Vaughan as M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias
 
Show Stopper Award
          Michael Reaves and George Dibo in The Odd Couple
 
Volunteer of the Year Award
          Richard Dean
 
Director’s Choice Award
          Glenda Swinford
 
Guild Award
          Wayne O’Bar
 
Gilchrist – McCollum Award
          Robin Williams Wilson
 
Special Achievement Award
          The Cast and Crew of Ring of Fire

TOG Theatre Cat Award
          Turbo Summerlin as Mouschi in The Diary of Anne Frank

President’s Award
          Connie Durham
 
Outstanding Show
          The Diary of Anne Frank

]]><![CDATA[January 19th, 2018]]>Sat, 20 Jan 2018 01:14:22 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/january-19th-2018

Announcing the 2017 Toggle Nominees!

While we did put the announcement of all Toggle nominees in the Gadsden Times, which no doubt you all have seen... Unfortunately we made a few mistakes when compiling our lists! There were just so many great performers, staff, and volunteers this year, there were more nominees than we expected and skipped a page or two! We would like to offer our sincere apologies to Adrianna Nix, Carolyn Marrs, Fran Summerlin, John Mac, Andrew Fuller, Mark Newman, Forrest Hinton, Chris Cash, and Seth Wilson for the respective categories they were left out of. Check out the below list for the newly updated list of nominees, and make sure to come see the winners at the Toggles at 7:30 pm on January 20! Tickets are only $5 and include some fantastic performances, as well as a reception! Get your tickets by calling (256) 547-7469 or clicking the link at the top of the page!

Toggle Nominees for 2017

Nominations for Outstanding Choreographer:
1. Carolyn Marrs for Ring of Fire
2. Carolyn Marrs, Joy Daves, and Kathy Snead Waldrop for South Pacific
3. Carolyn Marrs and Jade Wagner Chappell for Snoopy: The Musical
4. Carolyn Marrs for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. Kimberly Patton and Hannah Brown for Little Shop of Horrors

Nominations for Outstanding Music Director:
1. Billy Jenkins for Ring of Fire
2. Connie Durham for South Pacific
3. Rhonda Ledbetter for Snoopy: The Musical
4. Cheryl Stafford Moorer for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. Connie Durham for Little Shop of Horrors

Nominations for Outstanding Director:
1. Mike Beecham for Ring of Fire
2. Kathy Snead Waldrop for South Pacific
3. Dylan Hurst for Snoopy: The Musical
4. Mike Beecham for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. Mike Beecham for The Diary of Anne Frank
6. Mike Beecham for Little Shop of Horrors

Nominations for Outstanding Set Design
1. Kathy Snead Waldrop and Mark Newman for South Pacific
2. Dylan Hurst for Snoopy
3. Jeff Kiley, Cody Beshears and Crew for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
4. Cody Beshears, Richard Dean and Crew for The Diary of Anne Frank
5. Cody Beshears, Richard Dean and Crew for Little Shop of Horrors
6. John Mac and Andrew Fuller for Ring of Fire

Nominations for Outstanding Costume Design
1. Jennifer Bynum Frederick for Ring of Fire
2. Connie Howard Ables for South Pacific
3. Connie Howard Ables for Snoopy: The Musical
4. Connie Howard Ables for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. Connie Howard Ables for The Diary of Anne Frank
6. Connie Howard Ables for Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Technical Design
1. John Cardy, Wayne Cornutt and Team for Ring of Fire
2. Mark Newman, Rick Wills and Team for South Pacific
3. Josh Weaver and Team for Snoopy
4. Cody Beshears, Wayne Cornutt, Rick Wills and Team for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. Cody Beshears and Team for The Diary of Anne Frank
6. Cody Beshears and Team for Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Stage Manager
1. Glenda Swinford for Ring of Fire
2. Paula Ross and Nica Fish Hodge for South Pacific
3. Nica Fish Hodge for Snoopy
4. Glenda Swinford, Nica Fish Hodge, and Amber Rigsby-Bellew for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. Nica Fish Hodge, Hannah Brown, and Amber Rigsby-Bellew for The Diary of Anne Frank
6. Glenda Swinford and Hannah Brown for Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Role
1. Jade Wagner Chappell as Woodstock in Snoopy: The Musical
2. Forrest Hinton as Jacob in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
3. Juli Christensen as Potiphar’s Wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Outstanding Theatre of Gadsden Debut
1. Stephonn Allen Ammons as The Voice of the Plant in Little Shop of Horrors
2. Kelly Connaughton as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
3. Hannah Culpepper as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific
4. Todd Dissinger as Emile de Becque in South Pacific
5. Dylan Hurst as Joseph Cable in South Pacific
6. Adrianna Nix as Patty in Snoopy: The Musical
7. Matthew Pleger as a member of the Ensemble in Ring of Fire
8. Mahaley Tucker as Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors
9. Jade Wagner Chappell as Woodstock in Snoopy: The Musical
10. Christian Watts as Linus in Snoopy
11. David Wooten as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
12. Michelle Deese Bain as The Plant in Little Shop of Horrors
13. Chris Cash as a member of the Ensemble in Ring of Fire

Outstanding Assistant to the Director
1. Josh Weaver and Brian Jones for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
2. Kimberly Patton for The Diary of Anne Frank
3. Kimberly Patton and Kristi Nichols for Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress
1. Juli Christensen as Bloody Mary in South Pacific
2. Emily Copeland and Adrianna Nix as Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank
3. Pati Tiller as Mrs. Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank
4. Krista Bischoff as Miep in The Diary of Anne Frank
5. Jennifer Frederick as Sally in Snoopy: The Musical
6. Adrianna Nix as Peppermint Patty in Snoopy: The Musical
7. Carolyn Marrs as Lucy in Snoopy: The Musical
8. Fran Summerlin as Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor
1. Markavier Bothwell as Ruben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
2. Rick Gwin as Potiphar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
3. Mike Lassiter as Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
4. Dylan Hurst as Joseph Cable in South Pacific
5. Trey Miller as Mr. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank
6. Seth Wilson as Luther Billis in South Pacific
7. Christian Watts as Linus in Snoopy
8. Trey Miller as Charlie Brown in Snoopy
9. Forrest Hinton as Mr. Kramer in The Diary Frank
10. Seth Wilson as Issachar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
1. Kelly Connaughton as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
2. Hannah Culpepper as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific
3. McKenna Hodge as Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank
4. Carolyn Marrs as Lucy in Snoopy
5. Kristi Stafford Nichols as The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
1. Bret Fletcher as Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank
2. Todd Dissinger as Emile de Becque in South Pacific
3. Seth Wilson as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors
4. David Wooten as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. Seth Wilson as Snoopy in Snoopy: The Musical

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
1. The Brothers in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
2. The Nurses in South Pacific
3. The Sailors in South Pacific
4. The Urchins in Little Shop of Horrors

Outstanding Show
1. Ring of Fire
2. South Pacific
3. Snoopy: The Musical
4. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
5. The Diary of Anne Frank
6. Little Shop of Horrors
]]><![CDATA[Little Shop Casting Announcement]]>Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:31:41 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/little-shop-casting-announcement
The Theatre of Gadsden is proud to announce the cast of Little Shop of Horrors. We want to thank all who came out to share their time and talents with us, and hope to see you all at the next audition. If you were not cast this time, we will be having auditions for many shows upcoming, and encourage everyone to return for our future shows.

Join us for this horror comedy rock musical about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh, presented at The Historic Ritz Theatre November 3 - November 12, 2017. Tickets may be purchased for $15.00-$17.00.

Seymour Krelborn - Seth Wilson
Audrey - Kelly Connaughton
Mr. Mushnik - Rick Gwin
Audrey II - Stephonn Ammons
Crystal - Mahaley Tucker
Chiffon - Alicia Crumpler
Rhonette - April Taylor
Orin Scrivello, DDS - David Carn
]]><![CDATA[Odd Couple Casting Announcement]]>Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:25:03 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/odd-couple-casting-announcement
The Theatre of Gadsden and The Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus is proud to announce the cast of The Odd Couple: The Female Version. We want to thank all who came out to share their time and talents with us, and hope to see you all at the next audition. If you were not cast this time, we will be having auditions for many shows upcoming, and encourage everyone to return for our future shows.

Join us for this hilarious special dinner theatre production and auction on October 28, 2017 at 6:30 pm, specially presented at 210 on the Tracks. Tickets may be purchased for $45.00 each.

​Olive - Fran Summerlin
Florence - Jennifer Frederick
Sylvia - Ann Sharp
Mickey - Shannon Hill
Renee - Peyton Hudson
Vera - Kristina Vaughan
Manolo - Mike Reaves
Jesus - George Dibo
Get Odd Couple Tickets
]]><![CDATA[Diary of Anne Frank Casting Notice]]>Wed, 16 Aug 2017 04:13:17 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/diary-of-anne-frank-casting-noticePicture
The Theatre of Gadsden is proud to announce the cast of The Diary of Anne Frank. We want to thank all who came out to share their time and talents with us, and hope we will see all of you at the next audition. 

Join us for this special show in the last two weekends of September commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the diary of a young girl - one whose words continue to inspire audiences of all ages. ​
]]><![CDATA[Little Shop of Horrors Casting Notice]]>Thu, 10 Aug 2017 05:36:47 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/little-shop-of-horrors-casting-noticeLittle Shop of Horrors runs November 3 - 12, 2017 and will include the talents of these individuals:
Rick Gwin - Mr. Mushnik
Stephonn Ammons - Audrey II
Mahaley Tucker - Crystal
Alicia Crumpler - Chiffon
Seth Wilson - Seymour Krelborn
Kelly Connaughton - Audrey
April Taylor - Rhonette
David Carn - Orin Scrivello, DDS

​Save the date - better yet, make your reservations now!]]><![CDATA[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  Ticketing Policy]]>Sun, 30 Jul 2017 14:49:18 GMThttps://www.theatreofgadsden.org/backstage-blog/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-ticketing-policyDue to sold out performances, any tickets not picked up by 2:25 will be released for resell. Please allow plenty of time for will call and seating.
Thank you for your support of Theatre of Gadsden!]]>