Wheaton Drama, Inc. (WDI), held its annual Colby Awards celebration August 4 at Playhouse 111. The Colby Awards are named in honor of Colby Jones, a longtime WDI member who passed away in 1996. The Awards recognize volunteers for their outstanding contributions backstage and behind the scenes.

This year’s Colby Awards evening began with an hour for socializing, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.  Following that, the Colby Committee interspersed the Awards presentation with song parodies.  After the presentations, attendees had time for more socializing, plus dessert and dancing.

The 2012 Colby Committee was: Craig Gustafson (chair), Angelicque Cate, Zach Gibson, Sara Malloy, Sean Ogren, Julie Rodgers-Baker and Lori Skubich.  Kathleen Dooley was keyboard accompanist, Peter Lemongelli ran sound, and Karin Kramer ran the light board. Tony Abrego was the event’s photographer. Jennifer Myers, Jessica Orozco, Daniel Scobey, Randy Knott, Jeni Dees, Jo-Ann Ledger, Jim Quan, Amy Johnson, Melissa Heischberg, Michael DeFrang, Ginny Skubich, Mary Beth deBolt, Ben Aylesworth, Steven Merkel, Geoffrey Maher, and Steve Schroeder provided additional support.

The following local businesses generously supported the Awards this year by contributing appetizers, desserts, or beverages for the evening: Muldoon’s, The Bank Restaurant, Genghis Grill, Cellar Bistro, Ivy of Wheaton, Front Street Cocina, Shane’s Deli, and Malloy’s Finest.

Butterfield’s Pancake House, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jamba Juice, McDonald’s – Wheaton, and McDonald’s – Glen Ellyn (53 & Butterfield) donated ice.

The directors and production managers for each show nominated outstanding crew from the season’s productions. Awards were presented to the following:

For Incorruptible: Ben Aylesworth (Master Carpenter); Dan and Lisa Baggott-Miller (Props); Diana Dignan (Costumes); Bill Donaldson (Set Decoration); Amy Johnson (Stage Manager); Steven Merkel (Sound); R.J. Ogren (Scenic Design).

For On Golden Pond: Traci A. Cidlik (Makeup); Don Dumper (Set Design/Construction); Barb Giblin and Marcia Steinbrecher (Set Decoration); Susan Hajny (Costumes); Jim Liesz (Props); Jessica Orozco and Daniel Scobey (Stage Managers); Julie Rodgers-Baker (Assistant Director).

For Bad Seed: Dave Amato (Sound Design); Bruce Ebner (Stage Manager); Susan Hajny (Costumes); Jo-Ann Ledger (Assistant Director); Jim Van de Velde (Lighting Designer).

For Black Comedy: Tracy Adams (Hair and Makeup); Amy Johnson (Assistant Director/Stage Manager); John Murray (Set Construction); R.J. Ogren (Set Design/Scenic Artist); Becky Poole (Props/Tickets/Lunch); Pam Terry (Set Decoration); Gretchen Woodley (Costumes).

For Dirty Rotten Scoundrels:  Ben Aylesworth (Master Carpenter); Harmony Barry (Choreography); Bruce Ebner and Debbie Trueblood (Stage Managers); John Murray (Set Construction/Decoration Crew); R.J. Ogren (Scenic Design); Amy Royle (Assistant Director); Penny Salvesen (Set Design).

The following were honored with special awards: Ken Beach (Starboard Photography); Craig Gustafson (Starboard Design); Melissa Heischberg (Marketing); Amy Johnson (Candlelight Award); Jo-Ann Ledger (Bill Hamilton Award); John Murray (Set Construction); R.J. Ogren (Rookie of the Year); Rebecca Poole (Box Office); Lisa Schmela (Community Research).

WDI President Jim Van de Velde presented the Alice Burnham Award, the top honor, to Debbie Trueblood.

Wheaton Drama congratulates the award winners and extends sincere thanks to all of the people who helped to make the 2011-2012 season a success!

Preparations are already underway for the 2012-2013 season, which opens in September with The Heiress. The season also includes The Sound of Music, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, Full Circle, and Into the Woods. Additional special productions are the Broadway musical revue, Broadway Ballot (August 17-19, 2012) and the radio show version of It’s A Wonderful Life (December 14-16, 2012).

At play since 1931, Wheaton Drama is a volunteer-based community theatre organization dedicated to improving the cultural life in the community by providing quality theatre to its patrons and a creative, rewarding experience to its members. New members are welcome and are encouraged to attend a general membership meeting. Meetings are generally held the third Tuesday of every month, and are at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton.

For more information about Wheaton Drama, or to purchase show tickets, visit https://wheatondrama.org, or call 630-260-1820. Follow on Twitter at WDIpublicity

2012 Colby Award photos at https://wheatondrama.org/2012/2012-colby-awards-photos