2012 Performance Company Awards

[Tudor-Diva]

Each year the Performance Company votes for the Best New Character, Best Returning Character, and the Character of the Year.  Jeff Baldwin awards two personal awards, those being the Philip Hafer Memorial Award for the MVP, and the Best Group of the Year.  Here are the winners and they are all incredibly deserving. (all photos courtesy of James Stender, of course  )

Best New Character:
Katie Barton-Harper as Hilde von Lichtenstein of the German Court
Katie is a first year performer at TRF but no rookie when it comes to being a mega talent.  You can find her each weekend performing improv at Comedy Sportz.  We are so very lucky to have her with us.
http://www.comedysportzhouston.com/



Next is Best Returning Character:
Tim Ely as Fugazie of the Italians
Tim joined us a few years back and really made an impression as a beloved character.  Then sadly, real life called and work beckoned and he had to leave us.  Fortunately, he was back with us this year and never ceased to induce laughter in all he encountered.  His physicality is amazing and I am still trying to figure out how he bends that way.  It defies the laws of physics.  He is truly a gem and we are blessed to have him with us.


Character of the Year:
Jeffrey Lord as Teodor "Teddy" Fantoma Badesca of the Transylvanians
I don't even know where to begin to laud the epic that is Jeffrey.  He possesses skills and talents that aren't natural.  I only wish I had one iota of the energy he has.  Many of you know him from Sherwood, and we could not have been more thrilled to have him as part of our ensemble of players this year.  If you did not have the opportunity to see him in action this year, well, I feel sorry for you.    What an incredibly gifted young man.  Even at auditions it was evident that he would most likely win this award.


Group of the Year:
Spain
Aaron Cook    Reynaldo el Trovador
Rusty Copeland    Juan Diego de la Vega
Ronnie Davidson    Grandee Edwardo Santino Diego de Camacho
Sarah Garrison    Queen Juana de Castile
Hana Khan    Princess Catalina de Castile
Eric Oneacre    King Pilipe de Castile
Austin Wright    Hernando de Soto

Wacky does not even begin to describe the tour de force that was Spain this year.  As individuals, each character could hold their own entertaining a crowd.  As a group, they were a force to be reckoned with.  Some of my favorite moments this year were watching and interacting with them.  Such a pleasure to have such an immensely talented, cohesive group.  Kudos to returning veteran performer Ronnie Davidson for leading such a fantastic ensemble and my hat goes off to each of them.  Three of the members won performer of the day this year as well.
   

and finally
The Philip Hafer Memorial MVP Award
Philip Hafer played King Henry back in the early 90's and sadly, he was taken from us quite unexpectedly.  This award honors his memory and is awarded to someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of show, selflessly and without accolade.  I am myself honored to be two time recipient.  This year the award goes to John Wright.

John could have won this award in any given year and this year of course is no exception.  He is a fantastic performing talent in his own right, as well as our lead fight choreographer, group leader for the Transylvanians, a wealth of knowledge on how to create a memorable and entertaining character, and behind the scenes avails himself to any task required without being asked.  TRF would not be the same without him and I can think of no one more deserving.

[Sir Martin]

What a talented group of people!  Thanks to all the TRF Performance Company members for making the magic happen.

[DancingDogDairy]

My girls will be so excited about Jefferey's award. They are big fans!  Congratulations to all.

[maeven]

How awesome! Congratulations to all who won!

[PollyPoPo]

About Jeffery Lord's physical antics - more than once I've heard it said that he must have teleported up to the top of a standing stone.

Congratulations to all! 

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

HUZZAH! 

[Blue66669]

Special congrats to my group leader, Jonny Ringo! You can actually find him here on the forums. He did a great job, and spent the year dealing with ME. I'd say the man is practically a saint.

[JonnyRingo316]

Indeed. It was a HUGE honor I never saw going to me. Congrats to all the winners. Very deserving. As for Miss Blue, she and my sweetie, LibraryPrincess, really helped keep me sane this passed year with all the ups 'n downs. I, also, wouldn't trade my real, though on-site/character heart to hearts with my brotha from a different mutha, Adam, who plays Bogdan's brother, Puternic.

[Blue66669]

Psssst, it's WarCat now LOL!

Jackass.