Just Over the Rainbow Theatre (JORT) won The Warren McDaniel Award for best production recently at the Mississippi Theatre Association (MTA) 2011 Festival in Meridian. The group presented the play, “Driving Miss Daisy” by Alfred Uhry, in competition against seven other community theater groups from throughout the state. Cast and crew members include Thomas Hardy, who directed the show as well as portraying “Boolie Werthan”; Deborah Hardy, assistant director; Ruth Ann Black, “Daisy Werthan”; Michael Marks, “Hoke Coleburn”; technical crew: Sherri Marengo and Irene Waites; stage managers: Jan Van Nostrand and Marianne Voorbrood.
Kneeling: Sherri Marengo, Irene Waites, Marianne Voorbrood Standing: Deborah Hardy, Ruth Ann Black, Thomas Hardy, Michael Marks, Jane Allison, Dick Allison. Not pictured: Jan Van Nostrand
Along with the award, JORT received an invitation to attend the Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc. (SETC), the largest and most active regional theatre organization in the country, where they will present “Driving Miss Daisy” in competition against community theatres from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The SETC will be held March 2-6 in Atlanta.
Other awards presented to JORT for “Driving Miss Daisy” at the MTA include Overall Technical Excellence; best actor in a leading role presented to Michael Marks for his portrayal of “Hoke”; and All Star Cast for outstanding performance presented to Ruth Ann Black for her portrayal of “Daisy”. Additional awards presented to JORT include individual event winners: Dick and Jane Allison – first place dialogue performance, Irene Waites – third place monologue performance and Marianne Voorbrood – first place monologue performance.
Supporters wishing to sponsor JORT’s trip to the SETC may call 601-520-5272 or mail their contributions to P.O. Box 16553, Hattiesburg, MS 39404. JORT is a non-profit organization and donations are tax deductable.
Sitting: Thomas Hardy, Michael Marks, Ruth Ann Black, Standing: Sherri Marengo, Irene Waites, Jan Van Nostrand, Deborah Hardy, Marianne Voorbrood