The Boston Theater Critics Association recently presented their annual Elliot Norton Awards – this year, in a digital format. Several members of the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) community were recognized, including Northeastern student Ciara McAloon, who was part of the winning team from Underground Railway at Central Square Theatre, and Ilyse Robbins and Paula Plum, who have both taught in the Department of Theatre. The Elliot Norton Awards are presented annually to honor the outstanding productions, directors, designers and performers that audiences have seen on greater Boston stages throughout the season. View the full press release, with all of the winners, here.
In the Outstanding Design, Midsize Theater category, the Design Team for a production of Vanity Fair by Underground Railway at Central Square Theatre took top place. This design team included rising 4th year student Ciara McAloon (props coordination) who was on co-op at Underground Railway Theatre.
“Working on Vanity Fair was unbelievably rewarding. I’ve never worked on anything with as many moving parts – the props list alone was over 300 items long,” said Ciara. “I was constantly inspired by the creative impulses of everyone around me, whether from a member of the design team, the production team, or the cast. Everyone’s experimentation led to some incredible moments of theatre, and I am so proud to have contributed to it.”
Other team members include David R. Gammons (scenic design), Leslie Held (costume design), Jeff Adelberg (lighting design), and David Wilson (sound design). Adelberg has been a guest artist lighting designer for Northeastern’s Department of Theatre, including on the recent production of Mary Stuart, and Gammons was a guest artist director for the Department in 2016. Congratulations to this talented team!
In the Outstanding Choreography category, Ilyse Robbins, who has taught in the Department of Theatre, was recognized for her work on the Greater Boston Stage Company’s production of Swan Lake in Blue. Paula Plum, another former faculty member in the Department, received the award for Outstanding Actress, Midsize Theater, for her performance in SpeakEasy Stage Company’s production of The Children. Congratulations to both Ilyse and Paula!
Finally, Arlekin Players Theatre, the company founded and run by Igor Golyak, a guest artist director for the Department of Theatre last year, won four awards: Outstanding Design, Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Direction, and Outstanding Production, Small or Fringe Theatre. Igor directed CAMD’s production of The Three Sisters.