Outstanding Community Winners at 2022 Arties! 

WINNERS!  Pictured: Artie Winners from the community  from top row :Ujima Theatre’s Brian Brown and Curtis Lovel, Actors, Annett Daniels Taylor, Tanika Holmes. 2nd row actors Melinda Capeles, Dwyane Stephenson, director Aaron Mays  and playwright Mark Humphrey .  (photos WBFO & Artie Awards facebook page )

The Artie awards, that recognizes the work of outstanding WNY theatres, thespians, and productions,  had its 31st annual award anniversary event presented by Buffalo Toronto public media; June 6 at Shea’s 710 Theatre. 

This year there was a healthy number of Black and Brown talent  from actors to directors and productions who took home awards among the roughly 22 plus categories. 

 There were live  performances during the ceremony with one that included the energy and spark of dynamic actor and vocalist Brian Brown among others.

Actress Annette Daniels Taylor,  who was among the winners, spoke candidly about the importance of inclusivity in the theater arts here WNY on both the  performance  and attendance end. 

“Theater is for all of us, it’s where we heal, where we learn and where we  get to connect with each other and stories that connects to us. Being invited to both participate with our talents or to attend a show to enjoy the talents of others creates an inclusive community that will tell balanced stories about all the different people that live in the WNY community” she told the Challenger news. 

Winners from the Black and Brown Community included:

Outstanding Production of a Play

American Son, Ujima Theatre Company

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical

Annette Daniels Taylor, From Honky Tonk to Protest

 

Katharine Cornell Awards

Tanika Holmes, actor American Son

Aaron Mays, director American Son

Dwayne Stephenson, actor American Rhapsody

 

Emanuel Fried Award for Outstanding New Play

Mark Humphrey, playwright Speed of DarkN

Speed of Dark also won Outstanding Ensemble of a Play

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play

Melinda Capeles

Congratulations to All for Your Outstanding Work!