The glitterati of Nashville's theater community took to the red carpet Sunday night, September 19, prior to the start of the First Night Nashville Theatre Honors. Held at the Troutt Theatre at Belmont University, the First Night Honors recognized eight leaders of the Nashville theater community for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the art form.
Paying tribute to the honorees -- who included Scot Copeland, producing artistic director at Nashville Children's Theatre; Paul Gatrell, chair of the department of theatre and dance at Belmont University; Kathleen O'Brien, president and CEO of Tennessee Performing Arts Center; A. Sean and Robert A. O'Connell, co-founders of ACT 1 and GroundWorks Theatre; Mac Pirkle, founder of Southern Stage Productions and Tennessee Repertory Theatre; Barry Scott, actor/director/producer and faculty member in the department of speech and theatre at Tennessee State University; and Shannon Wood, owner and co-founder of Darkhorse Theatre -- was a veritable who's who of Nashville stage talent.
Photographer Stacy Battles, one of Nashville's best known celebrity photographers, was on hand to shoot the red carpet arrivals that heralded the return of First Night, after an absence of some 14 years. First Night is presented by Jeffrey Ellis, who covers Nashville theater for BroadwayWorld.com, and who is the founder of the awards celebration that was first held on September 17, 1989.
Richard Browder, Kathleen O'Brien and Cary Street
Jennifer Bennett and Linda Sue Simmons Runyeon
Ron, Linda Sue and Alyssa Runyeon
Alyssa Runyeon
Two-week-old Phin Lowder rocks the red carpet in his first suit.
Phin Lowder and his folks, including his mom Kyla Lowder, one of the 2010 Most Promising Actors
Phin Lowder
Delaney Amatrudo and friends
Jennifer and Trey, with Corbin and Neely Green and Wesley Paine
Corrie Miller strikes a pose on the staircase.
Ed Amatrudo and date
Jamie Farmer and Shawn Knight
Alan Lee and Laura Skaug
Ann Street-Kavanaugh
Denice Hicks
The Silent Auction in the Troutt Theatre's lower lobby
The Silent Auction in the Troutt Theatre's lower lobby
The Silent Auction in the Troutt Theatre's lower lobby
The Silent Auction in the Troutt Theatre's lower lobby
The Silent Auction in the Troutt Theatre's lower lobby
The Silent Auction in the Troutt Theatre's lower lobby
Cary Street, Denice Hicks and Richard Browder
Andie Sanders and Cary Street
Andie Sanders and Cary Street
9-time First Night Award winner Martha Wilkinson
Jeff Boyet, Cary Street, Richard Browder, Shelean Newman and Tim Fudge
Cary Street, Martha Wilkinson and Richard Browder
Randy Noel, Jenny Noel, Jennifer Richmond, Trey Palmer, Derek Whittaker and Holly Shepherd
Cary Street, Richard Browder and Bakari Jamal King
Cary Street, Richard Browder, Holly Shepherd and Derek Whittaker
Jim Manning, Cary Street and Kate Adams-Johnson
