Photo Coverage: The 2013 Class of First Night Honorees

Photo-Coverage-The-2013-Class-of-First-Night-Honorees-20000101

Theater aficionados from throughout Tennessee gathered at Belmont University's Bill and Carole Troutt Theatre on Sunday night for the 2013 First Night Honors, paying tribute to a group of eight remarkable people who have made indelible marks on the theater scene throughout their storied careers. Hosted by Holly Shepherd and Joel Diggs, the gala evening honored the eight leading lights of Tennessee theater as they were recognized as members of the First Night Class of 2013 Honorees.

Founded by Jeffrey Ellis, who is a contributing editor to BroadwayWorld.com, in 1989, The First Night Honors this year recognized the producing team of Maggi Bowden and the late Sue Stinemetz; director/producers and co-founders of Tennessee Women's Theatre Project Maryanna and Chris Clarke; actress/director/writer Jackie Welch; Paul Vasterling, artistic director and CEO of Nashville Ballet; actress/director/educator Mary Jane Harvill; and Nashville Shakespeare Festival co-founder Chambers Stevens, who now lives in Los Angeles and is recognized as a director, actor, playwright and acting coach. A cast of more than 100 performers paid tribute to them in a gala concert on Sunday night, witnessed by a capacity crowd at the Troutt Theatre.

A red carpet event, hosted by Jennifer Richmond and Trey Palmer-joined by Angela Gimlin, Hugh Britt and Cary Street-preceded the Honors concert. Photographer Johnny Benton, of Nashville's Studio Benton Photography, caught the entire evening with his camera, providing some special portraits of the Honorees in the process.

Sara Stinemetz, Maggi Bowden

Maggi Bowden

Jennifer Debs Tankersley, Maggi Bowden

Maggi Bowden

Jackie Welch

Chambers Stevens

Chris and Maryanna Clarke

Paul Vasterling

Mary Jane Harvill

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Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.

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