Members of the Milwaukee area’s performing arts community were recently recognized for their work at the third annual Footlights People’s Choice Awards.
The awards recognize achievements in costume design, set design, choreography, direction, music direction and lead and supporting performances in both musicals and plays. Winners were announced Saturday at a ceremony held at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield.
Thirty winners were named in 15 categories, both professional and non-professional. They include:
- Outstanding Sound Design (Non-Professional Production): Richard Becker, Guys and Dolls, Hartford Players
- Outstanding Sound Design (Professional Production): Megan Henninger, Urinetown, Skylight Music Theatre
- Outstanding Lighting Design (Non-Professional Production): Chris Meissner, Billy Elliot, Waukesha Civic Theatre
- Outstanding Lighting Design (Professional Production): Jason Fassl, Carmina Burana, Skylight Music Theatre in collaboration with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Danceworks and Chant Claire Chamber Choir
- Outstanding Costume Design (Non-Professional Production): Lisa Quinn, Mary Poppins, Sunset Playhouse
- Outstanding Costume Design (Professional Production): Nikki Maritch, Zie Magic Flute, Milwaukee Opera Theatre & Quasimondo Physical Theatre
- Outstanding Set Design (Non-Professional Production): Matt Carr & Andrea Klohn, Mary Poppins, Sunset Playhouse
- Outstanding Set Design (Professional Production): Evan Crain, Punk is Dead, Alchemist Theatre
- Outstanding Youth Performer (Non-Professional Production): Ryan Vanselow, Billy Elliot, Billy Elliot, Waukesha Civic Theatre
- Outstanding Youth Performer (Professional Production): Reese Bell, Matilda, Matilda the Musical, First Stage
- Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Play (Non-Professional Production): Anna Lee Murray, Rosalie Wells, The Children’s Hour, Outskirts Theatre
- Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Play (Professional Production): Elyse Edelman, Angie, Top Girls, Renaissance Theaterworks
- Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical (Non-Professional Production): Tim Albrechtson, Kurt Kelley, Heathers the Musical, Sunset Playhouse
- Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical (Professional Production): SaraLynn Evenson, Lilliane Le Fleur, NINE the Musical, Theater RED
- Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play (Non-Professional Production): Andre Lee Ellis, Hoke Colburn, Driving Miss Daisy, The Village Playhouse
- Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play (Professional Production): Marcee Doherty-Elst, Sue Mengers, I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers, Theater RED
- Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical (Non-Professional Production): Joe Gallo, Jack Kelly, Newsies, Spotlight Productions
- Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical (Professional Production): Briana Rose Lipor, Doc Danger, Doc Danger and the Danger Squad, Milwaukee Opera Theatre
- Outstanding Choreography (Non-Professional Production): Tricia Dobrient, Godspell, Hartford Players
- Outstanding Choreography (Professional Production): Ryan Cappleman, Hairspray, Skylight Music Theatre
- Outstanding Music Direction (Non-Professional Production): Julie Johnson, Anything Goes, Falls Patio Players
- Outstanding Music Direction (Professional Production): Christie Chiles Twillie, Five Guys Named Moe, Skylight Music Theatre
- Outstanding Direction (Non-Professional Production): Maddi Conway, You Got Older, Outskirts Theatre
- Outstanding Direction (Professional Production): Eric Welch, NINE the Musical, Theater RED
- Outstanding Special Performance (Non-Professional Production): Comicality 2019, Hartford Players
- Outstanding Special Performance (Professional Production): Cabaret Series: Ben Tajnai & Shawn Holmes, Skylight Music Theatre
- Outstanding Play (Non-Professional Production): August: Osage County, Rogue Stage Theater
- Outstanding Play (Professional Production): Things I Know To Be True, Milwaukee Repertory Theater
- Outstanding Musical (Non-Professional Production): Mary Poppins, Sunset Playhouse
- Outstanding Musical (Professional Production): NINE the Musical, Theater RED
Footlights also recognized local actress Gladys Chmiel and In Tandem Theatre founders Chris and Jane Flieller with lifetime achievement awards.
