One month ago, on July 10, 2016, 2nd Star Productions was honored with the ‘Best Overall Production’ honor at Ruby Griffith Awards ceremony for their production of Guys and Dolls.
And congrats to Colonial Players of Annapolis and Silhouette Stages for their recognition for their productions of Venus in Fur and Next to Normal. Kudos to Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, Laurel Mill Playhouse, Greenbelt Arts Center, McLean Community Players, Providence Players of Fairfax, and Rockville Little Theatre on your well-deserved recognition for your productions of Catch Me if You Can, Any Given Monday, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Glass Mendacity, Man of La Mancha, and Lend Me a Tenor.
All Round Production Excellence
2nd Star Productions
Guys and Dolls
Outstanding Achievement in a Musical
Silhouette Stages
Next to Normal
Outstanding Achievement in a Play
The Colonial Players of Annapolis
Venus in Fur
Outstanding Achievement in a Musical
First Runner-Up
Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre
Catch Me if You Can
Outstanding Achievement in a Play
First Runner-Up
Greenbelt Arts Center
Any Given Monday
Outstanding Achievement in a Musical
Second Runner-Up
McLean Community Players
Jesus Christ Superstar
Outstanding Achievement in a Play
Second Runner-Up
The Providence Players of Fairfax
The Glass Mendacity
Outstanding Achievement in a Musical
Third Runner-Up
Laurel Mill Playhouse
Man of La Mancha
Outstanding Achievement in a Play
Third Runner-Up
Rockville Little Theatre
Lend Me a Tenor
*HISTORY OF THE RUBY GRIFFITH AWARDS
Ruby L. Griffith was born in London on April 9, 1907. After her professional career, primarily in the field of theatre education as director of the Italia Conti Stage School in London, she moved to Washington DC.
Early in 1964, she became a founding member of the British Players (formerly known as The British Embassy Players) and directed and produced the group’s first play, Night Must Fall. Thereafter, she devoted her talent and energies to the Players and was given the title ‘Artistic Director.’ Through her wide experience and teaching talent, Ruby infused the Players with a strong sense of professionalism. She produced and/or directed seven of the British Players first fourteen productions.
On the opening night of the British Players’ 1968 Old Time Music Hall, which she produced and directed, Ruby suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. She died a few days later.
In honour of her contributions, the British Players instituted an annual award competition for All-Round Production Excellence. Initially, the Washington Theatre Alliance, which, at that time, was an organization of fourteen theatre groups, including the British Players, administered the Ruby Griffith Award. At the time the award was open only to Theatre Alliance members and attracted 10 entrants in the first season.
Beginning with the 1971/72 season, the British Players assumed the administration of the competition and expanded eligibility to include more of the Washington area’s amateur groups. With the start of the 1991/92 season, two new achievement awards were added; they are the Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical and the Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Non-Musical.
The All-Round Production Excellence Award is a trophy made of sterling silver and depicts the masks of comedy and tragedy below the British Lion. The trophy was crafted by Garrards of London from an original design provided by an early member of the British Players. The two Outstanding Achievement Awards are plaques with the representation of the Lion and masks from the All-Round Excellency trophy. The two Outstanding Achievement Awards also include certificates for two runners-up.
The competition is currently open to any amateur theatre group meeting the established criteria. For more information visit the Ruby Griffith Award website.
*This is from the Ruby Griffith Award website.
