Abbey Theater of Dublin takes top Roundtable award, other local groups also honored

Michael Grossberg
·2 min read
Cast members in the Abbey Theater of Dublin's live-streamed production of “Future, Here." The group received the Harold award, the top honor from the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable, for its Virtual Theatre Project.
Cast members in the Abbey Theater of Dublin's live-streamed production of “Future, Here." The group received the Harold award, the top honor from the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable, for its Virtual Theatre Project.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin, Short North Stage, and an Otterbein University professor were among those recognized during the 21st Theater Celebration Night.

The Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable, a nonprofit representing more than 30 area troupes, sponsored the pandemic-delayed annual gathering Sunday at Shadowbox Live.

The Roundtable presented its top Harold award to the Abbey Theater for its Virtual Theatre Project, which under Joe Bishara’s leadership produced 28 online productions in 2020-21, including nine world-premiere one-person shows and eight regional premieres featuring youth artists.

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The Roundtable, returning to its annual awards program for the first time since 2020, replaced its former annual competitive “bests” awards with a focus on outstanding efforts in five areas.

The Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable awarded its Theatre Education citation to Andrew Protopapas, CATCO’s interim education director.
The Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable awarded its Theatre Education citation to Andrew Protopapas, CATCO’s interim education director.

The Theatre Education citation went to Andrew Protopapas, CATCO’s interim education director, who led the company’s efforts to continue educational offerings during the pandemic by transforming summer camps and in-school residency programs into virtual Zoom programs.

The Emerging Leader citation went to Shane Davis and Worthington Community Theatre, for creating a more edgy “After Dark” series.

The Innovation citation went to Community Family Players for a new “Christmas Carol” adaptation for the recently renovated Victorian-era Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

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The Roundtable also awarded its Collaboration citation to the Greater Columbus Arts Council and a Fellowship to Zuri Clarno, a STEM student.

Short North Stage, led by Artistic Director Edward Carignan, received a citation from the Central Ohio Theatre Critics Circle for its “tenacity, ingenuity and graceful pivoting to different streaming and hybrid formats” during the peak of the pandemic.
Short North Stage, led by Artistic Director Edward Carignan, received a citation from the Central Ohio Theatre Critics Circle for its “tenacity, ingenuity and graceful pivoting to different streaming and hybrid formats” during the peak of the pandemic.

The Central Ohio Theatre Critics Circle, meanwhile, presented its 27th annual citations honoring efforts to expand the possibilities of or promote the higher values of theater.

Short North Stage, led by Artistic Director Edward Carignan, received a citation for its “tenacity, ingenuity and graceful pivoting to different streaming and hybrid formats” during the peak pandemic years while collaborating with veteran Broadway and off-Broadway talents to produce new works and enhanced area premieres of New York hits.

The circle’s Roy Bowen Lifetime Achievement Award went to Rob Johnson, who retired in 2021 after 34 years as an Otterbein professor, for his four decades of consistent artistry as a scenic/lighting designer and mentorship to new generations of theater artists.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Local groups receive awards at annual theater celebration night