Winners of 2013 Black Alliance Theater Awards Announced

The 2013 Black Alliance Theater Awards, which honor excellence in African American theater and dance productions in the Chicago area, were handed out Monday night. Following is a complete list of the recipients:± Best Production: “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men,” eta Creative Arts Foundation.± Best Ensemble: “One Name Only,” Black Ensemble Theater.± Best Play (Writer): Reginald Edmund, “Southbridge” (Chicago Dramatists) and McKinley Johnson, “Clara” (Open Door Repertory Company).± Best Direction (Drama or Comedy): Vaun Monroe, “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.”± Best Direction (Musical or Revue): Cassandra Bell, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (The Harold Washington Cultural Center).± Best Leading Actor (Drama or Comedy): Amos Ellis, “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.”± Best Featured Actor (Drama or Comedy): Robert Hardaway, “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.”± Best Leading Actor (Musical or Revue): Byron Glen Willis, “Dreamgirls” (Marriott Theatre).± Best Featured Actor (Musical or Revue): Andre De Shields, “The Jungle Book” (Goodman Theatre).± Best Leading Actress (Drama or Comedy) : Dael Orlandersmith, “Black N Blue Boys/Broken Men” (Goodman Theatre).± Best Featured Actress (Drama or Comedy): Ebony Joy, “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.”± Best Leading Actress (Musical or Revue): Alexis J. Rogers, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” ( Porchlight Music Theater).± Best Featured Actress (Musical or Revue): Dawn Bless, “One Name Only,” Black Ensemble Theater.± Most Promising Actor: Brian Keys.± Most Promising Actress: Joshlyn Camille Lomax.± Best Choreography: Bril Barrett, Star Dixon and Jumanne Taylor, “Heartbreaks, Freestyles, Rhythm Symphonies & an African Mailman” (Chicago Human Rhythm Project).± Best Musical Direction : Eric Troy, “Clara.”± Best Sound Design: Rick Sims, “Bulrusher” ( Congo Square Theatre Company).± Best Set Design: Andrei Onegin, “Bulrusher.”± Best Costume Design: June Saito, “The Other Cinderella” (Black Ensemble Theater).± Best Lighting Design: Denise Karczewski, “One Name Only.”± Best Performance in a Play (Non-Resident): Billy Porter, “Kinky Boots” (Broadway In Chicago).