A theatre company from Maple Ridge brought home the hardware at a festival representing clubs from across the Fraser Valley.
Emerald Pig Theatrical Society won five awards at Theatre BC's Fraser Valley Zone gala, which ran from May 19-24 at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre.
The theatrical group won for their production of Sugar Road, written by Canadian playwright, Kristen Da Dilva, about a young woman who runs an amusement park in small-town Ontario, and a world famous country musician, whom she once had a romantic night with.
Angela Bell won for Outstanding Set Design; Charlene Rowley won for Outstanding Costume Design; Sara Zaitsoff who played Caroline Dawn in the production won for Outstanding Supporting Female Actor; Dean Anderson who played Ray Bishop in the production won for Outstanding Supporting Male Actor; and the society took the Runner Up Award, placing second overall, for their production as a whole.
Zaitsoff and Anderson were first-time winners.
A certificate was also awarded to Griffin Bell for Stage Manager in Training.
"We knew we had a really, really lovely show," said Simon Challenger, executive director of Emerald Pig, noting that audience feedback during the run of the production was very positive.
"You know you get that feeling that everything's clicking and it's just something to behold, I have to say," he said.
Bell, who both directed and produced the show in addition to set design, thanked the team online.
"Thank you so much to every person who contributed to the show, no matter how big or small," wrote Bell.
"I would like to shine a light on everyone who made the set as amazing as it was, thank you to Jeffrey Love, Carole Dagenais, Lauren Haug Fisher, Celeste Boisoneau, Rosalie Passmore, Anita Kitkowski, Steve Rowley, Chris Carver, and Simon Challenger for all your work on the set," Bell said, in addition to thanking adjudicator Paul Moniz de Sá, and The Sidekick Players for hosting the festival, and congratulating all the other clubs and award winners.
"What a super team! Thank you all. We could not have done it without everyone involved."
Maple Ridge resident Heather Lee, also won the Gaye LePage award, which is handed out every year to somebody who makes selfless contributions to community theatre.
Lee, who doesn't perform on stage very often, can always be counted upon to paint sets, props, and the front housework, said Challenger, noting that the award goes to someone who may not be well known on stage, but is certainly well known off stage.
Gaye LePage was a person who was heavily involved in theatre before her death in 2014. Challenger, who performed once with LePage, said she could be the star of a show or slip into a supporting role easily. She was also the first person to pick up a broom, a dustpan, or a paint brush.
For Lee it's the same.
"You name it. Whatever needs to be done she will jump in and get to work," he said of Lee.
In addition to Emerald Pig, four other clubs participated including: The Sidekick Players Club; Langley Little Theatre; The Chilliwack Players Guild; and Stage43.
Best Production went to The Chilliwack Players Guild for an original production called "Hector" written and directed by former Chilliwack mayor Clint Hames, and lead actor in "Hector", Graham Archer, received Outstanding Lead Actor.
This festival was unique, explained Challenger, because there were two original works: "Hector" and "According to Aurelie - A Musical" written by Lauren Trotzuk from Langley Little Theatre.
Each evening throughout the week the various theatre groups presented their productions before the awards were handed out on Saturday, May 24.
Theatre BC was founded in 1932. According to the website, the agency serves as a parent association for community theatre across the province, promoting and encouraging the development of community theatre through leadership, and promoting opportunities for participation, education, and sharing the enjoyment of theatre.
Emerald Pig is now focused on their upcoming Bard on the Bandstand production of "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare in July.
