On January 26, 2019, the Picketwire Players presented the community with end of the year reports during our Annual Meeting. Overall, Picketwire had a very successful year. We created a celebration that has helped bring past Players back to Picketwire, either on stage or in the audience. This celebration was a large highlight to the 50th year of Picketwire, but it was only one of the many events that made 2018 an extraordinary year.

If you missed any events, take a look at the video below to catch a glimpse of Picketwire’s 50th Year.

After the Annual Business Meeting, the Picketwire Board went straight into the presentation of the Mickie Awards.

Presenting the Spring production of “The Odd Couple: Female Version” was director Susie Sarlo. She spoke about how much fun she had working with the cast and crew of “Odd Couple” and as a side note, gave some words of wisdom on directing. Susie spoke about how important it is to gather a technical team that you can trust to make the production run smoothly because when done correctly, the director can enjoy the show from the newly built booth with a glass (or bottle) of wine.

Following the Spring production was the ever anticipated Summer musical, “My Fair Lady,” presented by Director Tracey Salzbrenner.

Helping to bring in the spooky season was “Dracula” presented by director Ashley Jo Kelley.

Holiday cheer was spread with laughter by “Nuncrackers: Nunsense Christmas Musical” presented and directed by Desiree Goheen.

Every year, each production’s director chooses a recipient for the June Miles Spirit and Dedication Award.

This years recipients are:

• Odd Couple-George Larsen & Grant Elliott 
• My Fair Lady-Darlene Blackford
• Dracula-Tom Seaba & George Larsen
• Nuncrackers-Lexington Summers

After a look back at Picketwire’s 50th season, the annual Mickie Awards were announced. With just over 400 ballots mailed out, around 30% were returned via mail, email, and online voting. The nominees were…

Best Technician

• Keegan Russell (Stage Manager) – The Odd Couple: Female Version
• Dean Rees (Rehearsal Pianist) – My Fair Lady
• Hilary Harsh, Lena Figueroa, Mark Randall (Backstage) – Dracula
• Zach Zamora (Booth Manager) – Nuncrackers: Nunsense Christmas Musical

Best Supporting Actress

• Ashley Jo Kelley (Sylvie) – The Odd Couple: Female Version
• Darlene Blackford (Mrs. Higgins) – My Fair Lady
• Heather Pidcock-Reed (Lucy Westenra) – Dracula
• Angelica Leija (Sr. Robert Anne) – Nuncrackers: Nunsense Christmas Musical

Best Supporting Actor

• Jeff Reed (Manolo) – The Odd Couple: Female Version
• George Larsen (Alfred P. Doolittle) – My Fair Lady
• Jayden Martinez (Jonathan Haker) – Dracula
• Christian Smith Pumalpa (Billy/Violin) – Nuncrackers: Nunsense Christmas Musical

Best Actress

• Jeannie Larsen (Flo) & Kelly Jo Smith (Olive) – The Odd Couple: Female Version
• Heather Pidcock-Reed (Eliza Doolittle) – My Fair Lady
• Angelica Leija (Mina Murray) – Dracula
• Teagan Summers (Sr. Amnesia) – Nuncrackers: Nunsense Christmas Musical

Best Actor

• N/A – The Odd Couple: Female Version
• Tom Seaba (Henry Higgins) – My Fair Lady
• George Larsen (Dracula) – Dracula
• Patrick Smith (Fr. Virgil) – Nuncrackers: Nunsense Christmas Musical

Best Director

• Susie Sarlo – The Odd Couple: Female Version
• Tracey Salzbrenner – My Fair Lady
• Ashley Jo Kelley – Dracula
• Desiree Goheen – Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical

Taking home awards this year was…

• Tracey Salzbrenner – My Fair Lady
• Tom Seaba (Henry Higgins) – My Fair Lady
• Heather Pidcock-Reed (Eliza Doolittle) – My Fair Lady
• George Larsen (Alfred P. Doolittle) – My Fair Lady
• Darlene Blackford (Mrs. Higgins) – My Fair Lady
• Dean Rees (Rehearsal Pianist) – My Fair Lady

A clean sweep for the summer musical, My Fair Lady! Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of Picketwire’s monumental year!

Also awarded this year was the Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Volunteer of the Year is awarded to an individual that has made an impact throughout the year and been an asset to the theatre itself. This years recipient was Keegan Russell. He helped with three of the four main productions as stage manager and was always willing to help where needed. We look forward to Keegan becoming a familiar face at Picketwire in the following years.

With only four given out thus far, the Lifetime Achievement Award is Picketwire’s highest form of recognition. It is presented to an individual that has dedicated their life to the betterment of Picketwire through volunteering, fundraising, directing, acting, and helping in the daily duties and upkeep. Karen “Susie” Sarlo has been with Picketwire since it began in 1968. Through its 50 years, Susie has helped produce shows of all types. She has also been exceptionally helpful in writing and obtaining grants that have assisted in building upkeep (carpeting and floor restoration most recently). As Susie begins to transition out of the Picketwire spotlight, Picketwire Boards will try to pull her back for her wisdom. We would like to say once more, thank you very much for your dedication, Susie!