The Canoe Creek Players celebrate their Best Show win for “Southern Fried Funeral” at the Spotlight Awards Gala and Fundraiser. Photo by U. Glidewell

The Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) hosted the first annual Spotlight Awards Gala and Fundraiser on Feb. 17 to recognize CEPA St. Clair County’s most talented and dedicated performers in the Spotlight program, the all-ages, county-wide drama education network.

From their beginnings in 2017 with the core Spotlight group of around 40 people, the program has grown to over 300 people with groups in Moody High School, Pell City High School, Jefferson State Community College, St. Clair County High School, Ashville, Canoe Creek and a Spotlight Kids program. 

“We have community groups, students, schools, and people all involved to produce theatre,” said Spotlight Program Coordinator Lesley Gray Warren. “They all deserve an award for showing up every single night.” 

During 2018, there were eight spotlight productions, including at the high school level “Big Fish,” “Peter Pan,” “Elf,” and at the community level “Four Weddings and an Elvis,” “Southern Fried Funeral,” “Curious Savage,” and “Miracle on 34^th Street,” and a Spotlight Kids production of “We Are Monsters.” 

Awards were given in multiple categories for high school, community, and kids Spotlight productions.

Pell City Mayor Bill Pruitt and Judge Bill Hereford presented the awards for the high school.

“It is nice to know people are working hard to make the community better,” said Pruitt. “These dedicated students find themselves a home in theater.”

The winner for Best Actor went to Jeffrey Wills for his performance of the Pell City High School (PCHS) production of “Elf.” Best Actress was awarded to Julia Funderburg for her performance in PCHS’s “Big Fish.”

Best Designer for High School, which includes costumes, sets, lighting and sound was awarded to Chase Spears for “Big Fish.”  Winner for Best in Crew for High School was Marissa Snipes for the Moody Spotlight’s production of “Peter Pan.” This was their first production and was led entirely by students.

Biggest Ham, who is a “real entertainer” and is always making the crew and cast laugh was Tristen Grissett for “Elf.”

The MVP award, which is awarded to the person that “has no limits, does any and every task asked of them and is usually the first person to set and the last to leave,” went to Maci Johnsey for “Elf.”

Best Director, who guides every aspect of production, was awarded to Ashley Arrington for “Peter Pan.” Arrington is a junior at Moody High School and this was her first time directing a play.

Glen Turton and Ginger McCurry, PCHS Theater Director, presented the Community Awards. 

Best Actor went to Jacob Call for “Four Weddings and an Elvis.” Best Actress was awarded to Blair Goodgame for “Curious Savage.” Best Designer was Mandy Ellsworth for the Canoe Creek Spotlight’s “Southern Fried Funeral.” Best in Crew winner was Erin Cash also for “Southern Fried Funeral.”

Biggest Ham award was earned by Mark Brown for “Four Weddings and an Elvis.” The MVP award was received by Elizabeth Money for “Miracle on 34^th Street.”

Best Director winner was Lesley Warren for “Four Weddings and an Elvis” and “Curious Savage.”

The Spotlight Kids program also received awards, which CEPA Executive Director Jeff Thompson said they are looking to expand.

“We saw a huge need for an all ages program and have an annual kids camp,” said Lesley Warren. “When we did the Christmas production [“Miracle on 34^th Street”] we had an amazing turnout. Kids ages 6-16 auditioned, desperate to have an outlet for creativity and have an opportunity to shine.”

Jamison Taylor and Julie Funderburg presented the awards for the Spotlight Kids Program.

Most likely to be a star award went to Sarah Crowe for the Spotlight Kids Camp production of “We Are Monsters.”

Biggest Ham was a tie between Nix Brown for “We Are Monsters,” and Nix Brown for “Miracle on 34^th Street.”

The MVP award went to Anna Crosson for “Miracle on 34^th Street,” for her ability to learn lines quickly and her willingness to always help. 

There were also special awards presented to individuals who were always willing to help, even if they were not on stage. 

“People needed to be recognized for their long-time dedication,” said Jeff Thompson.

The award was named in honor of Randy Mason, a long-time supporter of the theater who passed away last year. “He was such an incredible guy; he got me here,” said Thompson. “He couldn’t be stopped when it came to this theater.”

Thompson said that when he became the Executive Director of CEPA that he didn’t know how to turn on the lights, with a beauty pageant beginning in 15 minutes. His first call was to Mike Riley, the recipient of the Randy Mason Award.

The next special award is named for Carol Pappas, who founded the non-profit to build CEPA and served for 12 years on the CEPA Board. She is still instrumental in promoting the arts and humanities in Pell City and St. Clair County.

The winner of the Carol Pappas Award was Julie Funderburg.

“I love the arts, it’s my passion,” said Funderburg. “Thank you so much for your support!”

The next award was named for Carole Barnett, a lifelong educator member of Kiwanis who “brought the arts to Pell City.” 

The award was presented to Ginger McCurry, teacher and director of the Pell City High School Drama Department.

“She is instrumental in encouraging growth and making young people who they will be,” said Warren, who presented the award.

“This is such an honor,” said McCurry. “I want to say it’s what we do and what we love, but it makes you who you are. Just let it out and just be you.”

The Best Show awards were voted on by the community online. The winner for the Best Show High School Production was PCHS’s “Elf,” and the Best Show Community went to the Canoe Creek Players for “Southern Fried Funeral.”

CEPA is starting their 2019 season, with 11 plays and musicals scheduled, three major concerts, three Local Sounds performances and three special events. Annual passes with the 2019 CEPA Society are available for purchase for $250 for two tickets to every performance held at CEPA during the year. For more information on supporting CEPA or becoming a part of the 2019 CEPA Society, visit www.pellcitycenter.com.