Published on May 8, 2020 by Ashley Smith  
EXTERIORTHEATRE

Samford’s Department of Theatre and Dance typically celebrates the end of its season and year with a star-studded event called the Bonies. Students dress in evening wear and gather in Harrison Theatre to honor their fellow students. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many theatre events did not take place as planned.  The season was cut short and As You Like It, Into the Woods, One Act Play Festival and many underground productions were cancelled or postponed until next year. The Bonies, however, did take place virtually with faculty and students in attendance. It included heart-felt video dedications to seniors, annual faculty and student selected awards and creative honors for students in each class. 

Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance Mark Castle characterized the event and the end of this year, “This was an unexpected end to our year, but as always I am astonished and delighted at the work of our students and faculty. The creativity and resilience of our students is remarkable. A special thanks goes to Ashley Pope and Abby-Shelton Storey for putting this event together and helping us celebrate our year.”

Congratulations to all of the students who were honored:

Faculty Awards

Best Freshman: Hope McMahone

Best Playwright: Kendall Fowler

Best Technical Theatre Student: Ami Gelderman

Trailblazer Award: Abby-Shelton Storey, Angel Sims, & Theo Edwards Butler for the creation of the Diversity Series

Julie Averett Phillips Spirit of Dance Award: Hayley Earle

Jesse Bates Award: Ashley Pope

Toni Sparks Award (Junior): Nic DiPrima

Outstanding Theatre Major: Kaci Deakins & Meredith Revel

(Harold Hunt) Outstanding Alumnus: Megan Jackson

Student Selected Awards

Best Female Newcomer: Hope McMahone

Best Male Newcomer: Grayson Johns

Best Featured Dancer: Grace Brewster

Best Student Choreographer: Gracie Walker

Female in a Supporting Role in a Play- Kendall Fowler (Sylvia)

Best Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Emily Strickland (Abigail Adams- 1776)

Best Male in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Nic DiPrima (Sir Peter- Ella Enchanted)

Best Female in a Leading Role in a Play: Madison Merkel (Sylvia- Sylvia)

Best Male in a Leading Role in a Play: Matthew Murray (Sylvia)

Best Female in a Leading Role in a Musical: Anna Medley (Benjamin Franklin- 1776)

Best Male in a Leading Role in a Musical: Bradyn Debysingh (John Adams- 1776)

Best Ensemble: 1776

Best Makeup & Hair: Carson Blalock (Ella Enchanted) & Isabella Blohme (1776)

Best Costume Design: Abby-Shelton Storey & Mary Gurney (1776)

Best Stage Manager: Meredith Revel (Ella Enchanted)

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.