Acting Irish International Theatre Festival
The Acting Irish International Theatre Festival (AIITF) is an annual festival of full-length Irish plays performed by Irish community theater companies from Canada, US and Ireland. The festival was started in 1994 and is performed in a different city each year.
1994 Festival; Winnipeg
The concept of the Acting Irish International Theater Festival (AIITF) was originated by three Irish community theater groups: the Tara Players of Winnipeg, Milwaukee Irish Arts, and Na Fianna Theatre of Minneapolis-St. Paul. These three groups held several invitational performances in each other's city between 1990–93,[1][2] and all three groups participated in the 1991 Milwaukee Irish Fest.[3] The Tara Players of Winnipeg participated in the Milwaukee Irish Fest in 1992 and 1993 as well, but because that festival was dedicated primarily to Irish music, the three groups co-founded the theater-only AIITF in 1994.[4] The first festival was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada March 10–13, 1994 and presented at the Tara Players' theater at the Irish Association of Manitoba.[5] One of the founders of the festival was Geoff White of the Tara Player of Ottawa.[6]
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | The Poker Session | Hugh Leonard |
| Ashling Productions | Calgary, AB | (a pair of one act plays) | |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Remembrance | Graham Reid |
| Na Fianna | Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN | Translations | Brian Friel |
1995 Festival; Minneapolis
The 1995 AIITF was held March 9–11 at the Weyerhaeuser Auditorium in Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Five organizations participated, hosted by Na Fianna of Minneapolis-St. Paul.[7] The adjudicators were Mona Poehling, Dan Sullivan and Ethna McKiernan.
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell | Bernard Farrell |
| Ashling Productions | Calgary, AB | Dancing at Lughnasa | Brian Friel |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Away Alone | Janet Noble |
| Na Fianna | Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN | Famine | Tom Murphy |
| Lartigue Theatre | Listowel, Ireland | The Estuary and The Tentmaker | Paddy Fitzgibbon |
1996 Festival; Calgary
In 1996, the AIITF was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada May 15 to 19, 1996 at the Irish Cultural Center. The festival adjudicators were Christopher Foreman, Pat Benedict, and Dr. Richard Wall. Six groups participated:
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | Moll | John B. Keane |
| Ashling Productions | Calgary, AB | The Death of Humpty Dumpty | Graham Reid |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Sea Horse | Edward J. Moore |
| Stage Éireann Dramatic Society | Vancouver, BC | The Love of Cass McGuire | Brian Friel |
| St. Albert Irish Society | St. Albert, Alberta | Time Was | Hugh Leonard |
| Prince George Theatre Workshop | Prince George, BC | Someone to Watch Over Me | Frank McGuiness |
In addition to these formal festival productions, two "showcase" (non-adjudicated) productions were presented: Winners (from Lovers: Winners and Losers) by Brian Friel, presented by the Liffey Players of Calgary, and Bag Lady, by Frank McGuiness, presented by Patabesin Productions, Calgary.
1997 Festival; Milwaukee
In 1997, the AIITF was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 790 N. Van Buren St. May 14–17. Adjudicators for this festival were Milwaukee actress Laura Gordon; Christopher Foreman, former artistic director of the Northern Arts and Cultural Center in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada; and Ray Yeates, who was the youngest director in the history of Dublin's Abbey Theatre.[8]
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | The Broken Jug | John Banville |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Field | John B. Keane |
| Na Fianna | Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN | John Bull's Other Island | George Bernard Shaw |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Year of the Hiker | John B. Keane |
| Irish Players of Prince George | Prince George, BC | The Bold Girls | Rona Munro |
| John Fitzgerald Theatre | New York, NY | Away With a Sailor | Brendan Loonam |
| Aisling Productions | Calgary | The Good Thing | John B. Keane |
The Best Production award in 1997 was presented to Tara Players of Winnipeg, for their production of The Field. Tadhg McMahon of the Tara Players was also presented with the Best Supporting Male award for his performance as Tadhg McCabe.
Note: The 2004 AIITF program lists the New York participant at the 1997 AIITF as the John Fitzgerald Theatre; the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article of May 14, 1997, lists the group as the Thomas Davis Players.
1998 Festival; Winnipeg
The AIITF in 1998 returned to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was held at the Gas Station Theatre May 13–16, 1998.[9] Groups from Toronto, Ottawa and Chicago joined the festival.
Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | Greatest Hits and Blood Guilty | Seán O'Casey (Hits) and Antoine O'Flatharta (Guilty) |
| Ashling Productions | Calgary, AB | Women on the Verge of HRT | Marie Jones |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Shadow of a Gunman | Seán O'Casey |
| Na Fianna | Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN | Faith Healer | Brian Friel |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | Lovers - Winners and Losers | Brian Friel |
| Tara Players of Ottawa | Ottawa, ON | Rat in the Skull | Ron Hutchinson |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago IL | Paul Twining | George Shiels |
Awards in 1998[10]
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | The Rat in the Skull | Tara Players of Ottawa | ||
| Lead Male | Eric O'Brien and Don Quiring | The Rat in the Skull | Tara Players of Ottawa | |
| Lead Female | (Information unavailable) | Lovers-Winners and Losers | Toronto Irish Players | |
| Supporting Male | Stephen Meehan | The Shadow of a Gunman | Tara Players | |
| Supporting Female | (Information unavailable) | Lovers-Winners and Losers | Toronto Irish Players |
1999 Festival; Chicago
The Gaelic Park Players hosted the AIITF in Chicago, Illinois May 25–30, 1999.[11]
Productions in 1999
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | The Country Boy | John Murphy |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | Frugal Comforts | Eamonn Kelly |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | 44 Sycamore Street | Bernard Farrell |
| Na Fianna | Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN | Rhapsody in Stephen's Green | Flann O'Brien |
| Irish American Heritage Center | Chicago, IL | Monday Night in a Country Town | Tom O'Brien |
| Tir Na Og Theatre | Denver, CO | Waiting for Godot | Samuel Beckett |
| Tara Players of Ottawa | Ottawa, ON | A Little Like Paradise | Niall Williams |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | Drama at Inish | Lennox Robinson |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Chastitute | John B. Keane |
Awards in 1999
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Frugal Comforts | Innisfree Theatre | ||
| Lead Male | Tony Cohen | Estragon | Waiting for Godot | Tír Na Nóg Theatre |
| Lead Female | Amy Flynn | Julia | The Country Boy | Milwaukee Irish Arts |
| Supporting Male | Teige Reid | Eddie Twohig | Drama at Inish | Toronto Irish Players |
| Supporting Female | Vera Kelly | Eva Kishock | The Chastitute | Gaelic Park Players |
2000 Festival; Toronto
The Toronto Irish Players, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, hosted the AIITF in 2000. The festival included the North American debt of The Wheeping of Angles by Joseph O'Connor, brother of Sinéad O'Connor.[12]
2000 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tir Na Og Theatre | Denver, CO | (information unavailable) | |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | (information unavailable) | |
| Tara Players of Ottawa | Ottawa, MB | The Broken Jug | John Banville |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | Thy Will Be Done | Michael Carey |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Weeping of Angels | Joseph O'Connor |
| Ashling Productions | Calgary, AB | Frugal Comforts | Eamonn Kelly |
| Na Fianna | Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN | Bailegangaire | Tom Murphy |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | The Steward of Christendom | Sebastian Barry |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | The Au Pair Man | Hugh Leonard |
2000 Awards[13]
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Frugal Comforts | Aisling Productions | ||
| Lead Male | Martin Kelly | Frugal Comforts | Aisling Productions | |
| Lead Female | Tena May Gallivan | Mary | Bailegangaire | Na Fianna Irish Theatre |
| Supporting Male | Kenny McCullagh | Frugal Comforts | Aisling Productions | |
| Supporting Female | Vera Kelly | Bridie | Thy Will Be Done | Gaelic Park Players |
| Adjudicator's Award | Deirdre Halferty | Directing |
2001 Festival; Denver
In 2001, the AIITF was held in Denver, Colorado, USA, at the Courtyard Theatre, Auraria Campus, the University of Colorado Denver, on May 15–19, 2001.[14][15] The festival was hosted by Tir Na nOg, whose name mean in Irish (Gaelic) "everlasting youth".[16] A special performance by PHAMALy (Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League), as guests artists, was also presented at this festival.
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tir Na Og Theatre | Denver, CO | Iph ... | Colin Teevan |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | The Cripple of Innishmaan | Martin McDonagh |
| Tara Players of Ottawa | Ottawa, ON | The Poker Session | Hugh Leonard |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Course[17] | Brendan O'Carroll |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Brothers of the Brush | Jimmy Murphy |
| Ashling Prolductions | Calgary, AB | Beauty Queen of Leenane | Martin McDonagh |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | Happy Birthday Dear Alice | Bernard Farrell |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | The Cavalcaders[18] | Billy Roche |
The Best Production award in 2001 was presented to Innisfree Irish Theatre for their production of The Cripple of Innishmaan, by Martin McDonagh. Sean Mac Donnchadha, of Innisfree Irish Theatre, received the acting award for Best Lead Male Actor as JohnnyPateenMike in The Cripple of Innishmaan
2002 Festival; Ottawa
The AIITF was held in the Capital of Canada, Ottawa, in 2002.
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shapeshifters Theatre | Chicago, IL | "Sacrilege"
Diane Shaffer | |
| Tir Na Og Theatre | Denver, CO | "Paddywack"
Daniel Magee | |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | "Moonshine"
Jim Nolan | |
| Tara Players of Ottawa | Ottawa, ON | Sive | John B. Keane |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Salvage Shop | Jim Nolan |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Our Lady of Sligo[19] | Sebastian Barry |
| Aisling Productions | Calgary, AB | "The Lonesome West"
Martin McDonagh | |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | Molly Sweeney | Brian Friel |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | "Da"
Hugh Leonard |
The Best Production award was presented to the Toronto Irish Players for their production of Da by Hugh Leonard
2003 Festival; Florida
Innishfree Irish Theatre hosted the 2003 AIITF at The Crest Theatre, Del Ray Beach, Florida, May 11–17, 2003. The 2003 Festival also featured, for the first time, three groups invited from Ireland.[20] This festival featured the first North American production of Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman, and Paddy. . .? by Declan Croghan.[21]
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester, NY | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Frank McGuinness |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | Happy Birthday, Dear Alice | Bernard Farrell |
| Tara Players of Ottawa | Ottawa, ON | Bold Girls | Rona Munro |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milawukee, WI | The Weir | Conor McPherson |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman, and Paddy. . .? | Declan Croghan |
| Ashling Productions | Calgary, AB | Belfry | Billy Roche |
| Toronto Irish Player | Toronto, ON | The Mai | Marina Carr |
| Shapeshifters Theatre | Chicago, IL | Dancing at Lughnasa | Brian Friel |
| The Hewlett-Packard Players | Kildare, Ireland | 44 Sycamore Street | Bernard Farrell |
| Dundalk Theatre Workshop | Dundalk, Ireland | Port Authority | Conor McPherson |
| The Balally Players | Dublin, Ireland | The Country Boy | John Murphy |
The Best Production award was presented to the Tara Players of Winnipeg for their production of Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman, and Paddy. . .? James Bowman won the award for Best Actor in the same production[22] The Irish Players of Rochester, an invitational group at this, their first festival, were awarded "Best Invitational Production" for Someone Who'll Watch Over Me.
2004 Festival; Winnipeg
The 2004 AIITF returned to Winnipeg for the third time, hosted by the Tara Players at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, May 20–22, 2004.[23]
2004 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester, NY | Waiting for Godot | Samuel Beckett |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | Elipsed | Patricia Burke Brogan |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Juno and the Paycock | Seán O'Casey |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | The Cripple of Inishmaan | Martin McDonagh |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | Anyone Could Rob a Bank | Thomas Coffey |
The scheduled performance of the Gaelic Park Players was canceled due to weather problems.
2004 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Waiting for Godot | Irish Players of Rochester | ||
| Lead Male | Kevin O'Shea | JohnnyPateenMike | The Cripple of Inishmaan | Toronto Irish Players |
| Lead Female | Barnara Taylor & Cliona Kenny | Kate & Eileen | The Cripple of Inishmaan | Toronto Irish Players |
| Supporting Male | Ken Bordner | Pozzo | Waiting for Godot | Irish Players of Rochester |
| Supporting Female | Lori Dolan | Bridget | Eclipsed | Innisfree Irish Theatre |
| Adjudicator's Award | The Cast | Ensemble performance | Eclipsed | Innisfree Irish Theatre |
2005 Festival; Chicago
The AIITF returned to Chicago in 2005, hosted by Gaelic Park Players at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., May 18–21, 2005.[24]
2005 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester, NY | The Kings of the Kilburn High Road | Jimmy Murphy |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | Abie's Irish Rose | Anne Nichols |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | I do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell | Bernard Farrell |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | Tea in a China Cup | Christina Reid |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Country Boy | John Murphy |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | O Parnassus | Hugh Carr |
| Shapeshifters Theatre | Chicago, IL | A Mislaid Heaven | Carson Grace Becker |
2005 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | A Mislaid Heaven | Shapeshifters Theatre[25] | ||
| Lead Male | John Jaeger | Jap | The Kings of the Kilburn High Road | Irish Players of Rochester |
| Lead Female | Katie Cheely | Ruth | A Mislaid Heaven | Shapeshifters Theatre |
| Supporting Male | Sidney Gray | Paddy | I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell | The Tara Players |
| Supporting Female | Amy Kull | Arlene | O Parnassus | Milwaukee Irish Arts |
| Adjudicator's Award | Anastasia O'Brien | Susy | I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell | The Tara Players |
2006 Festival; Toronto
The 2006 AIITF was hosted by the Toronto Irish Players at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts May 30 to June 3. The festival was hosted by the thirty-year-old Toronto Irish Players, which performed The Plough and the Stars by Seán O'Casey, featuring nine transplanted Dubliners in the cast.[26]
2006 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester, NY | Dancing at Lughnasa | Brian Friel |
| Innishfree Irish Theatre | Boca Raton, FL | The Shaughraun | Dion Boucicault |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Poor Beast in the Rain | Billy Roche |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | The Plough and the Stars | Seán O'Casey |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Able Dealer | J. B. MacCarthy |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts[27] | Milwaukee, WI | An Irish Play | Dan O'Brien |
| Shapeshifters Theatre | Chicago, IL | Sea Marks | Gardner McKay |
| Estuary Players | Dublin, Ireland | The Beauty Queen of Leenane | Martin McDonagh |
2006 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | An Irish Play | Milwaukee Irish Arts[28] | ||
| Lead Male | Keith Tamsett | Declan | An Irish Play | Milwaukee Irish Arts |
| Lead Female | Jackie Murphy and Grainne Jordan | (shared) | The Beauty Queen of Leenane | Estuary Players |
| Supporting Male | Robert Wall | Stephen | Poor Beast in the Rain | The Tara Players |
| Supporting Female | Crystal Marie Taylor | Rose | Dancing at Lughnasa | Irish Players of Rochester |
| Adjudicator's Award | The Shaughraun | Innisfree Irish Theatre |
2007 Festival; Milwaukee
Milwaukee Irish Arts hosted the 2007 AIITF at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, May 15 to 20.
2007 Productions
Note: Starting with this festival, Innisfree Irish Theatre changed its name to the Irish Theatre of Florida.
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | From These Green Heights | Dermot Bolger |
| The Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Spirit of Annie Ross | Bernard Farrell |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | Getting Buried | Peter Cunningham |
| Irish Theatre of Florida | Boca Raton, FL | Lovers: Losers and Winners | Brian Friel |
| Holding Court Theatre | Doublin, Ireland | Summer | Hugh Leonard |
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester NY | Faith Healer | Brian Friel |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | At The Black Pig's Dyke | Vincent Woods |
2007 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | At The Black Pig's Dyke | Toronto Irish Players | ||
| Lead Male | David Kyle | Teddy | Faith Healer | Irish Players of Rochester |
| Lead Female | Lucy Carabine | Miss Funny | At the Black Pig's Dyke | Toronto Irish Players |
| Supporting Male | Gerry Herbert | Richard Halvey | Summer | Holding Court Theatre |
| Supporting Female | Jane Testar | Ashling | The Spirit of Annie Ross | Tara Players |
| Adjudicator's Award | Getting Buried | Gaelic Park Players |
Special Adjudicator Award: Gaelic Park Players "For a very entertaining, if completely insane, romp through the upper regions of Irish lunacy, confirming the old showbiz adage of 'leave them laughing when you go.'"
Honourable Mention: Costume Design for Holding Court Theatre for their production of Summer by Hugh Leonard and also for Toronto Irish Players for their production of At the Black Pig's Dyke by Vincent Woods.
In addition to the seven adjudicated productions, the 2007 Festival included two special presentations: Townlands, by Dermot Bolger; a reading presented by the students of the Theater Department of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Sneak preview of Walking the Road, also by Dermot Bolger. This play about Francis Ledwidge, a young Irish poet who lost his life in Flanders fields in 1917, while serving with the British army in World War I, had its world premiere at Axis Arts Center in Dublin June 9, 2007.
2008 Festival; Rochester
The Irish Players of Rochester, a program of the Rochester Community Players, hosted the 2008 AIITF at the Geva Theatre Center's NextStage Theatre May 13 to 17.[29] The festival included two long one-act plays by the young Dublin playwright, Conor McPherson
2008 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester NY | The Hostage | Brendan Behan |
| Irish Players of San Francisco | San Francisco CA | The Perfect Romance | Nicky O'Brien |
| Irish Theatre of Florida | Boca Raton, FL | On Raglan Road | Tom O'Brien |
| Irish-American Theater Company | Cincinnati, OH | A Little Like Paradise | Niall Williams |
| Holding Court Theatre | Dublin, Ireland | Happy Birthday Dear Alice | Bernard Farrell |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Dublin Carol | Conor McPherson |
| Liffey Players | Calgary, AB | Shining City | Conor McPherson |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | The Blowin of Baile Gall | Ronan Noone |
| Shapeshifters Theatre | Chicago, IL | Knocknashee | Deirdre Kinahan |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | The Muesli Belt | Jimmy Murphy |
2008 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Happy Birthday Dear Alice | Holding Court Theatre | ||
| Lead Male | Robert Wall | John Plunkett | Dublin Carol | Tara Players |
| Lead Female | Grace Perry | Alice | Happy Birthday Dear Alice | Holding Court Theatre |
| Supporting Male | Danny Sullivan | Mossy Plunkett | The Muesli Belt | Toronto Irish Players |
| Supporting Female | Kathryn Waters | Neasa | Shining City | Liffey Players of Calgary |
| Adjudicator's Award | The cast | Ensemble Acting | The Hostage | Irish Players of Rochester |
2009 Festival; Winnipeg
For the fourth time, the Tara Players of Winnipeg hosted the AIITF, in May 2009.[30][31]
2009 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | A Skull in Connemara | Martin McDonagh |
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester NY | Love in the Title | Hugh Leonard |
| Shapeshifters Theatre[32] | Chicago, IL | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Frank McGuinness, |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | Attaboy, Mr. Synge | Deirdre Kinahan |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Patrick Pearce Motel | Hugh Leonard |
| Holding Court Theatre | Dublin, Ireland | Salute The Servant | Walter Macken |
| Liffey Players | Calgary, AB | The Weir | Conor McPherson |
| Irish Theatre of Florida | Boca Raton, FL | On Raglan Road | Tom O'Brien |
2009 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | A Skull in Connemara | Toronto Irish Players | ||
| Lead Male | Stephen Farrell | Mairtin Hanlon | A Skull in Connemara | Toronto Irish Players production of |
| Lead Female | Lorelei Mellon | Cat | Love in the Title | Irish Players of Rochester |
| Supporting Male | Jonathan Musser | Adam | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Shapeshifters Theatre |
| Supporting Female | Neasa McCann | Kitty | Salute The Servant | Holding Court Theatre |
| Adjudicator's Award | Salute the Servant | Holding Court Theatre |
2010 Festival; Chicago
The 2010 AIITF was held May 17 to 22, 2010 at the Irish-American Heritage Center, 4626 North Knox Avenue, Chicago.[33]
2010 Productions (in order or presentation)[34]
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shapeshifters Theatre | Chicago, IL | And Neither Have I Wings to Fly | Ann Noble |
| Estuary Players | Dublin, Ireland | There Came a Gypsy Riding | Frank McGuinness |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Patrick Pearse Motel | Hugh Leonard |
| The Irish American Theatre Company | Cincinnati, OH | Moll | John B. Keane |
| Liffey Players Drama Society | Calgary, AB | Portia Coughlan | Marina Carr |
| Heads on Stage (formally part of Holding Court Theatre) | Dublin, Ireland | The Passion of Jerome | Dermot Bolger |
| Irish Theatre of Florida | South Florida | Close to Home | Pat Clark |
| Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) | Rochester, NY | The Cripple of Inishmaan | Martin McDonagh |
| Toronto Irish Players | Toronto, ON | The Factory Girls | Frank McGuinness |
2010 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | The Passion of Jerome | Heads on Stage, Dublin | ||
| Lead Male | ||||
| Lead Female | Barbara Kenny
as Moll, Irish American Theater Company Cincinnati |
|||
| Supporting Male | ||||
| Supporting Female | ||||
| Adjudicator's Award |
2011 Festival; Calgary
The Liffey Players Drama Society of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, hosted[35] the 2011 Festival at the Vertigo Theatre at the base of the Calgary Tower, from May 16–21, 2011.
2011 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liffey Players Drama Society | Calgary, AB | The Seafarer | Conor McPherson |
| Estuary Players | Dublin, Ireland | Same Old Moon | Geraldine Aaron |
| An Amharclann | Saint John, NB | Pride of Parnell Street | Sebastian Barry |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | The Castlecomer Jukebox | Jimmy Murphy |
| Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) | Rochester, NY | Dublin Carol | Conor McPherson |
| The Irish American Theatre Company | Cincinnati, OH | What Happened Bridgie Cleary? | Conor McPherson |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Midden | Morna Regan |
| Heads on Stage | Dublin, Ireland | Stolen Child | Yvonne Quinn/Bairbre Ni Chaoimh |
2011 Awards[36]
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Dublin Carol | The Irish Players of Rochester | ||
| Lead Male | John Jaeger | John | Dublin Carol | The Irish Players of Rochester |
| Lead Female | Kaitlyn Groh | Bridgie Cleary | What Happened Bridgie Cleary? | The Irish American Theatre Company, Cincinnati |
| Supporting Male | Jamal Abdunnasir | Mark | Dublin Carol | The Irish Players of Rochester |
| Supporting Female | Anastasia O'Brien | Mabs | Midden | Tara Players, Winnipeg |
| Adjudicator's Award | The Cast | Ensemble Acting | Same Old Moon | Estuary Players, Dublin |
2012 Festival; Dublin
The Axis-Ballymun Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, hosted the 2012 Festival from May 14–19, 2012.
2012 Productions
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heads on Stage | Dublin, Ireland | The Loves of Cass Maguire | Brian Friel |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | White Woman Street | Sebastian Barry |
| Liffey Players Drama Society | Calgary, AB | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Frank McGuinness |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Muesli Belt | Jimmy Murphy |
| Irish American Theater Company | Cincinnati, OH | A Couple of Blaguards | Frank McCourt & Malachy McCourt |
| The Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester, NY | A Moon for the Misbegotten | Eugene O'Neill |
2012 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Liffey Players Drama Society, Calgary | ||
| Lead Male | Bruce Mitchell | Adam | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Liffey Players Drama Society, Calgary |
| Lead Female | Stephanie Roosa[37] | Josie | A Moon for the Misbegotten | The Irish Players of Rochester |
| Supporting Male | Fred Diggins | James Miranda | White Woman Street | Milwaukee Irish Arts |
| Supporting Female | Neasa McCann | Trilbe Costello | The Loves of Cass Maguire | Heads on Stage, Dublin |
| Adjudicator's Award | Bernard Farrelly | Spirit of the Festival Award | Gaelic Park Players, Chicago |
2013 Festival; Chicago
The Festival was hosted by Chicago's Gaelic Park Players from May 21–25, 2013. The festival took place at Chicago's Gaelic Park, 6119 West 147th Street; Oak Forest, Illinois. The adjudicator for the festival was Brad Armacost. Attending the Awards Ceremony on May 26 was Aidan Cronin, Counsel General of Ireland, Chicago, Illinois.[38]
2013 Productions (in order of presentation)[38]
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | A Wake in the West | Michael Joe Ginnelly |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | Doubt: A Parable | John Patrick Shanley |
| Heads on Stage | Dublin, Ireland | Molly Sweeney | Brian Friel |
| The Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) | Rochester, NY | Is Life Worth Living? (aka Drama at Inish) | Lennox Robinson |
| Irish American Theater Company | Cincinnati, OH | Dancing at Lughnasa | Brian Friel |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | Eclipsed | Patricia Burke Brogan |
| Irish Theatre of Florida | South Florida | Here We Are Again Still | Christian O'Reilly |
| Liffey Players Drama Society | Calgary, AB | The Beauty Queen of Leenane | Martin McDonagh |
2013 Awards[39]
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Eclipsed | Milwaukee Irish Arts | ||
| Lead Male | Jack Kirwan | Paddy | Here We Are Again Still | Irish Theatre of Florida |
| Lead Female | Sandy Lucas | Mag | The Beauty Queen of Leenane | Liffey Players Drama Society |
| Supporting Male | Greg Ludek | Hector | Is Life Worth Living? | The Irish Players of Rochester |
| Supporting Female | Kate McNally | Rose | A Wake in the West | The Gaelic Park Players |
| Adjudicator's Award | For Excellence in Performance, Hospitality and Professionalism | The Gaelic Park Players |
Finalists for awards in 2013:
Best production: Doubt, a Parable; Eclipsed; Here We Are Again, Still; Beauty Queen of Leeane
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Robert Wall (Doubt, a Parable); Ken Moroney (Molly Sweeney); Robie Saxon (Molly Sweeney); Jack Kirwan (Here We Are Again, Still)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Carol McQuarrie (Doubt, a Parable); Neasa McCann (Molly Sweeney); Imelda Wellington (Here We Are Again, Still); Sandy Lucas (Beauty Queen of Leeane)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Greg Ludek (Is Life Worth Living?); Mick McEvilley (Dancing at Lughnasa); Luke Hurt (Here We are Again, Still); Dorin McIntosh (Beauty Queen of Leanne)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Kate McNally (A Wake in the West); Kathy Dauer (Is Life Worth Living?); Megan Andres (Doubt, a Parable); The entire cast of Eclipsed
2014 Festival; Delray Beach, Florida
The Festival was hosted by the Irish Theatre of Florida from May 20–25, 2014. The festival took place at the Artns Garage, 180 NE 1st Street, Delray Beach.[40] The adjudicator for the festival was John Countryman, Director of Theatre at Berry College in Georgia.
2014 Productions (in order of presentation)[41]
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Theatre of Florida | Delray Beach, FL | The Irish Dracula | James Doan |
| The Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) | Rochester, NY | Shining City | Conor McPherson |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago IL | The Butterfly of Killybegs | Brian Foster |
| Heads on Stage | Dublin, Ireland | Brighton | Jim Nolan |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Housekeeper | Morna Regan |
| Liffey Players Drama Society | Calgary, AB | Stones in his Pocket | Marie Jones |
| Irish American Theater Company | Cincinnati, OH | Tho' It Were Ten Thousand Miles | William H. A. Williams |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | These Halcyon Days | Dierdre Kinahan |
2014 Awards[42]
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | These Halcyon Days | Milwaukee Irish Arts | ||
| Lead Male | Eamonn O'Neill | Sean | These Halcyon Days | Milwaukee Irish Arts |
| Lead Female | Vera Kelly | Mary Conlon | The Butterfly of Killybegs | Gaelic Park Players |
| Supporting Male | Bill Alden | John | Shining City | The Irish Players of Rochester |
| Supporting Female | Annya Bright ()(Florida) | Mina Murray | The Irish Dracula | Irish Theatre of Florida |
| Adjudicator's Award | For Best New Play | Tho' It Were Ten Thousand Miles: A Love Story (Cincinnati) |
Nominees for awards:
Best production: Shining City' (Rochester); These Halcyon Days (Milwaukee); 'Brighton (Dublin)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Eamonn O'Neill (Sean) These Halcyon Days; Jerod Blake (Jake Quinn and other characters) Stones in his Pocket; Bernard Boland (Hal) The Housekeeper
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Neasa McCann (Lilly) Brighton; Joan End (Patricia) These Halcyon Days; Vera Kelly (Mary Conlon) The Butterfly of Killybegs
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Cathal Moroney (Dave) Brighton; Bill Alden (John) Shining City; Toby Barton (Tadhg) The Irish Dracula
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Cecilia Walsh (Lucilla Desmond) The Irish Dracula; Annya Bright (Mina Murray) The Irish Dracula; Carol McQuarrie (Beth) The House Keeper
2015 Festival; Cincinnati, Ohio
The Festival was hosted by the Irish American Theater Company from May 19–24, 2015. The festival took place at the Irish Heritage Center, 3905 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati, .[43] The adjudicator for the festival was George Heslin, Artistic Director of Origin Theatre Company, NY.
2015 Productions (in order of presentation)[43]
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish American Theater Company | Cincinnati, Ohio | The Calvacaders | Billy Roche |
| The Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) | Rochester, NY | "The Field" | John B. Keane |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago IL | The Maiden Aunt | Jimmy Keary |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The New Electric Ballroom | Enda Walsh |
| Liffey Players Drama Society | Calgary, AB | Sea Marks | Gardner McKay |
| Irish Theatre of Florida | Delray Beach, FL | The Chastitute" | John B. Keane |
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | Moment | Dierdre Kinahan |
2015 Awards
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | The New Electric Ballroom | Winnipeg Tara Players | ||
| Lead Male | ||||
| Lead Female | Lindsey Gagliano | Niamh Lynch | Moment | Milwaukee Irish Arts |
| Supporting Male | Nate Press | Nial Lynch | Moment | Milwaukee Irish Arts |
| Supporting Female | ||||
| Adjudicator's Award |
Nominees for awards:
2016 Festival; Milwaukee
The Festival was hosted by Milwaukee Irish Arts from May 24–28, 2016. The festival took place at Next Act Theatre, 255 S Water Street, Milwaukee, WI. The adjudicators for the festival were .
2016 Productions (in order of presentation)
| Company | City | Production | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Irish Arts | Milwaukee, WI | The Plough and the Stars | Sean O'Casey |
| Magpie Theatre Company (Guest Performers) | Chicago, IL | The Cheek | Jim Lynch |
| Liffey Players Drama Society | Calgary, AB | Eden | Eugene O'Brien |
| Heads on Stage | Dublin, Ireland | Chapatti | Christian O'Reilly |
| Gaelic Park Players | Chicago, IL | Shadow of a Gunman | Sean O'Casey |
| Irish Players of Rochester | Rochester, NY | The Seafarer | Conor McPherson |
| Irish Theatre of Florida | Delray Beach, FL | Fooked | Gillian Grattan |
| Irish American Theatre Company | Cincinnati, OH | The Weir | Conor McPherson |
| Tara Players | Winnipeg, MB | The Last Days of Cleopatra | Laoisa Sexton |
2016 Awards[44]
| Award | Actor | Role | Play | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Production | Eden | Liffey Players Drama Society | ||
| Lead Male | Jerod Blake | Billy | Eden | Liffey Players Drama Society |
| Lead Female | Peggy Hamilton | Natalie | The Last Days of Cleopatra | Tara Players |
| Supporting Male | Mark John Donahue | Mr Lockhart | The Seafarer | The Irish Players of Rochester |
| Supporting Female | Marssie Mencotti | The Cheek | Magpie Theatre Company | |
| Adjudicator's Award | For generating the greatest jolt of audience energy in the room | The Irish Players of Rochester |
Finalists for awards in 2016:
Best production: Eden; The Seafarer; The Last Days of Cleopatra
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jerod Blake (Eden); Denis Holmes (Hooked); Quinn Greene (Last Days of Cleopatra)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Katelyn Morishita (Eden); Neasa McCann (Chapatti); Peggy Hamilton (Last Days of Cleopatra)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Dylan Bolan (The Plough and the Stars); Mark John Donahue (The Seafarer); Mick McEvilley (The Weir)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Liz Shipe (The Plough and the Stars); Marssie Mencotti (The Cheek); Bridget Christianson (Shadow of a Gunman)
References
- ^ AIITF program 2004
- ^ ST. Paul, Minnesota, Pioneer Press March 15, 1989, pg. 1NE: "The initial productions (of Na Fianna) were Thirst, a comedy by Flann O'Brien, and Riders to the Sea, a tragedy by John M. Synge, staged together . . . in St. Paul in March 1988. The 20-member group then performed a series of one-act plays at the Milwaukee Irish Fest, the Irish Association of Manitoba at Winnipeg and at Feis Cheoil, an Irish celebration in Highland Park in St. Paul last summer."
- ^ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 9, 1991
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press, May 2, 2001, page W5
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press, March 9, 1994, pg. C8
- ^ The Ottawa Citizen, March 4, 2006, pg. F3
- ^ Minneapolis Star Tribune, March 5, 1995, pg 4F
- ^ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 14, 1997: "Irish plays are in the footlights for 4 days:
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press May 10, 1998, pg. D1
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press May 19, 1998, pg. D7
- ^ - Gaelic Park Players Website
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press March 24, 2000, p. D9
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "article May 10, 2001". Westword.com. 1969-12-31. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ The Denver Post, May 14, 2001, pg F3, "Acting Irish in Denver Theater companies gather for festival"
- ^ Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO) May 12, 2001, pg. 8E, "Denver Gets its Irish up - at Ninth Theater Festival"
- ^ "Irish plays by Irish Authors from". Gaelic Park Players. 2001-05-18. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ "Milwaukee Irish Arts". Gaelicweb.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press, April 18, 2002, pg C8
- ^ "Boca Raton / Delray Beach News, May 3, 2003, pg. 6E". News.google.com. 2003-05-09. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press, April 24, 2003, pg. D6
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press, June 1, 2003, pg. D4
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press May 20, 2004, pg. D1
- ^ The Daily Southtown, Chicago IL, May 13, 2005, "Theater Festival Celebrates Irish Heritage"
- ^ "Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago IL, Shapeshifters Theatre Company page". Irish-american.org. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ The National Post (of Canada), Oct. 15, 2005, pg. T4
- ^ "Milwaukee Irish Arts website". .uwm.edu. 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ "May 28, 2006". Onmilwaukee.com. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ Rochester Democrat & Chronicle; May 13, 2008; pg C1
- ^ "Irish American News June 1, 2009". Irishamericannews.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ "Irish Association of Manitoba website; posted May 8, 2009". Irishassociation.ca. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ "Irish American News May 4, 2009". Irishamericannews.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ "Irish American Heritage Center; Chicago IL, Website". Irish-american.org. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ^ 2010 AIITF Program
- ^ "Calgary Sun Article". 2011-05-14. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ "Calgary Sun Article". 2011-05-23. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ "Rochester Arts Blog". 2012-05-23. Archived from the original on 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
- ^ a b 2013 AIITF program
- ^ Notes of Adjudicator Brad Armacost
- ^ Southflorida.com (SunSentinel) article by Rod Stafford Hagwood, May 20, 2014
- ^ 2014 AIITF program
- ^ Notes of Adjudicator John Countryman
- ^ a b http://www.irishcenterofcincinnati.com/docs/aiitf-2015-poster.pdf
- ^ actingirish.com