Oglethorpe Theatre closed the curtain on the academic year with its annual Wendell Awards—announced virtually this year. The event recognizes theatre students for a range of achievements, including best performances and productions, as determined by theatre department faculty selections and student surveys.
Broadway’s Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen surprise Oglethorpe Theatre students.
This year, in a surprise appearance, Broadway’s Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell joined the awards ceremony to offer words of advice and encouragement to the Oglethorpe students.
Bell rose to stardom with his work on, and appearance in, the Broadway musical [title of show], for which he wrote the book, alongside Bowen, who wrote the music and lyrics. Bowen is best known for his work as an actor, composer, and lyricist. Bowen and Bell went on to also collaborate on Now. Here. This., an off-Broadway musical.
“Go make stuff! Go sing, paint, act,” Bell advised. “Use all of those skills you’ve learned over the last few years and go mightily into the world!”
Afterwards, the Wendell Awards were announced, recognizing some of Oglethorpe’s most talented students:
The Rookie of the Year: Caroline Gammage
Eve Brown Award for Technical Theatre: Jax Wright
The Wendell Award: Alex Ray
Best Show:
The Servant of Two Masters
Best Male Lead:
Clarence Atsma – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Female Lead:
Kinsey DeGroat – Spring Awakening
Best Male Supporting:
Marc Collins – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Female Supporting:
Caroline Gammage – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Male Featured:
Chandler Lovely – The Normal Heart
Best Female Featured:
Veronica Mitchell – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Director:
Matt Huff – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Stage Manager:
Caroline Cook – The Normal Heart
Best Scenic Design:
Jax Wright – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Costume Design:
April Andrews – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Lighting Design:
Benjamin Martis – The Normal Heart
Bryan Rosengrant – The Servant of Two Masters
Best Sound:
Jasmine Darius – Richard III, Arcadia, Mr. Burns, When We Were Young, The Visit, Cabaret, Much Ado About Nothing, Eurydice, The Servant of Two Masters
