The 2015 Canada Winter Games already has a winner, and it isn't even in sports.
In addition to the athletic competitions at the upcoming event, the winter games will also be showcase of arts and culture. One of the staff members for Prince George's edition of the games, Kate Newby, was just named one of Canada's theatrical bright lights.
Newby is the curator for the 2015 CWG Arts and Cultural Festival on one hand, but on the other hand she is also an independent theatre director who worked this past spring with The Shakespeare Company, Calgary's only classical Shakespearean theatre group.
"The production of Twelfth Night that Kate directed won for Most Outstanding Production of the Year at the Betty Mitchell Theatre Awards [Monday] night in Calgary," said Karen Jeffery, manager of ceremonies and culture for the CWGs. "The Shakespeare Company is a small independent theatre company. This is no easy feat as the production was up against the larger companies such as Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Projects and Vertigo Theatre all of which have mega budgets by comparison. Under her artistic vision and direction, Kate assembled a production team and cast, inspiring them to do exceptional work."
Not to be missed were Newby's personal nominations. She was up for Outstanding Director for Twelfth Night, but was up against herself in the same category for her direction of In the Heat of the Night produced by Vertigo Theatre. Simon Mallett prevailed in that category for his work overseeing Vertigo Theatre's version of Travels With My Aunt.
Newby wasn't done yet. She was also in the running for Outstanding Performance By An Actress In a Supporting Role for her on-stage work in You Will Remember Me by Alberta Theatre Projects. (This cast and crew also picked up the award for Best New Play.) The winner in that category was Carmen Aguirre for an Alberta Theatre Projects play.
Newby was the only name to make the nominees' list three times at this year's Betty Mitchell Awards, the annual celebration of Calgary's active drama industry.
Newby was en route back to Prince George and unavailable for comment as of press time.
