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I have been remiss in sharing a bit of info about me what with the IDS reaching its 500th episode and all. We started this podcast to shed light on things theatrical in the Southeast and more specifically, Nashville. I am delighted to share with all of the IDSers that I am a 2016 First Night Star Award recipient along with an awesome cadre of folks. First Night Honors date back to 1989 and are curated by First Night founder and executive producer Jeffrey Ellis. Please check out the IDS interview with Jeffrey Ellis where we chat about the history of First Night (IDS 421). There are three categories of recognition: First Night Honorees, First Night Star Awards, and Most Promising Actors. The Gala is Sept. 25, 2016.

2016 First Night Poster Names

The First Night Honorees are:

Broadway veterans Chuck Wagner and Jeremy Benton

Nashville Repertory Theatre producing artistic director Rene Dunshee Copeland

Nashville Shakespeare Festival producing artistic director Denice Hicks

Actors Bridge Ensemble co-founders Vali Forrister and Bill Feehely

arts critic/writer Evans Donnell

actor/director Terry Schwab

actor/director/producer/writer and educator Stella Reed Patterson

The First Night Star Award Recipients (which recognize theater artisans and aficionados whose contributions are deemed noteworthy and deserving of recognition) are:

Samuel Whited, Memory Strong, Nathaniel McIntyre, Santiago Sosa, Howard M. Snyder, Scarlett Turney, Evelyn Thornhill, John Mauldin, Jonathan Pinkerton, Shane Burkeen, Jamie London, Tamiko Robinson Steele, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, Nancy Allen, Jo Lynn Burks, Christi Dortch, Nettie Kraft, Jon Kopischke, Valerie Kopischke, James Rudolph and Kim Thornton Nygren.

Some of the 2016 First Night Star Award Recipients. Photo taken at First Night Preview Party.

First Night is written, produced and directed by Jeffrey Ellis, senior contributing editor for BroadwayWorld.com/Nashville, with Kate Adams and Lauri Gregoire co-producing and choreographing the Gala concert. Kelsi Fulton will music direct. Holly Shepherd and James Fuertes will co-produce. Vickie Bailey and Amanda Grace Creech, a 2014 First Night Most Promising Actor, share producer duties for the Most Promising Actor Showcase.

L to R: Samuel Whited (actor), Rachel Agee (actor), John Mauldin (actor/IDS host) and Jeffrey Ellis (Theatre Critic/ First Night co- Founder) Photo taken at First Night Preview Party.

Jeffrey Ellis is co-directing Cabaret at The Larry Keeton Theatre which runs thru August 27th. Information and Tickets can be found here.

Got a thought about this IDS episode? Let your voice be heard by calling 615-866-1282 (VM) or put it in an e-mail [podcast(at)inexplicabledumbshow(dot)com]

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IDS 502 First Night Honors 2016