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The 5th Annual Omaha Entertainment Awards Script

Jasmine Maharisi

 

------Performance: Omaha Modern Dance Collective/African Culture Connection

------VOG Welcome, everyone, to the 5th Annual Omaha Arts and Entertainment 

 Awards. Let the show begin…

------VIDEO open, intros Tom Becka

Tom: Welcome! Let's give another hand for the Omaha Modern Dance Collective

and Omaha's own African Culture Connection.

In case you need reminding, this is the 5th Annual Omaha Arts and Entertainment

Awards. That means we've been doing this thing for five years now. (pause)

Consecutively. (pause) Five consecutive years. (pause) Every year. (pause) Five of 

them.

But enough of that, is everyone ready for a good time? Did everyone getsomething to drink? Everyone get a cupcake? Just kidding. We don't have

cupcakes. They weren't in the budget this year.

Tonight we recognize some of the most talented artists and entertainers in the

Omaha area, and dare we say, in the region. To be eligible for this year's awards,

artists need to have performed or exhibited work between September 1, 2009

and August 31, 2010.

You'll reognize a few familiar faces, meet some new friends and see someawesome performances.

And because we do got to pay our bills: this evening's presentation is sponsored

by two very important organizations. The first one is Harrah's, who was also

gracious enough to furnish us with this year's location, the lovely Harrah's

Convention Center. Harrah's is proud to provide world-class amnenties and

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electrifying entertainment. For more info, visit harrahs casino . Com.

Jlofts, another sponsor, offersunparalleled Old Market living for those who

believe in the future and dream lofty dreams. To learn more about JLofts, visit

their website at JLofts.com.

And everyone's invited to our post-party reception after the show at 8:30. It'll be

at Stir Live and Loud and nominee for Best DJ, DJ Showcase will be providing the

tunes.

So, ladies and gentleman, kick back and relax...and enjoy this amazing show!

(exit)

------VOG: Accompanied by Luke Furman, please welcome Best Performance by a

Young Actor or Actress nominee, Ashton Taylor.

------Performance: Annie

Tom: Hello again. So I bet you're wondering how we choose the winners of 

tonight's awards. Well, it's simple: the winners are whoever pay us the most.(pause)

Actually, we don't choose at all. You do. It began last September and October,

more than 2000 of you went online to nominate your favorite artists at our

website, oea-dash-awards.com.

You nominated hundreds of artists across three genres: Visual Arts, the

Performing Arts, and Live Music.

Those results went to Hancock & Dana, one of Omaha's largest locally-owned

accounting firms. They're really smart people who love numbers and were

gracious enough to tally the top five nominations in each category.

The top five nominees in each category were then put on a ballot and sent to

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To share that experience it takes more than actors. It takes more than writers. Our

next award honors those who make the theatrical experience come to life while

captivating the audience with set design, costume and direction. It takes a lot of 

genius behind the scenes to make the magic come alive onstage.

And the nominees for Achievement in Scenic Design are:

---nominee video, Achievement in Scenic Design

And the award goes to: (envelope)

Tom: This next award incorporates the audio into the formula. Here are the

nominees for Achievement in Sound Design:

------nominee video, Achievement in Sound Design

And the award goes to: (envelope)

(exit)

VOG: Please put your hands together for WOWT anchors John Knicely and Tracy 

Madden who will be presenting tonight’s achievements in Costume Design and 

Lighting Design!

Tracy: Thank you! You know, John, it's sure nice to take a break from the news

business for just a moment and recognize some great talent.

John: Definitely. And although we usually are the ones with the scoop on

everything, we have no idea how tonight's nominees are going to fare.

Tracy: Regardless, they all should be proud they've made it this far. It's doesn't

matter if you win or lose, it's how your play the game.

John: Riiiiight. Tell that to a kid who's just lost his first baseball game. Anyway,

we're here to present the award for Achievement in Lighting Design and the

award for Best Local Dance Production.

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Tracy: Like any good production, or newscast, the lighting has to be perfect or the

whole show is mediocre.

John: But tonight's nominees are anything but mediocre.

Tracy: And the nominees are...

------nominee video, Achievement in Lighting Design

John: And the award goes to... (envelope)

Tracy: Ever bust a move, John?

John: All the time. But I can't do anything near what these folks can. The

nominees for Best Local Dance Production are:

------nominee video, Best Local Dance Production

Tracy: And the award goes to...(envelope)

(Both exit)

Tom: Now we're moving right along to the award for Achievement in CostumeDesign. And let me tell you, Omaha has some fantastic costume designers.

This year's nominees are:

------nominee video, Achievement in Costume Design

The Award for Achievement in Costume Design goes to: (envelope)

Tom: The next award recognizes the next supporting actor in a play. While the

supporting actor may not perform a role that's at the center of the script, his orher performance is every bit as critical to the piece as the lead role. Ladies and

gentleman, the nominees for Best Supporting Actor are...

------nominee video, Best Supporting Actor

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And the award for goes to: [envelope]

[exit]

VOG (17:00) Please welcome director for the Kent Bellows Studio AnneMeysenburg and art critic Michael Krainak to the stage…

Anne: It's so wonderful to be here tonight among Omaha's most vibrant and

brightest stars.

Mike: And to witness the recognition of some of the finest talent in our city.

Anne: Tonight, we're going to present the awards for Best 2-D Artist and Best Solo

Show.

Mike: It's always a pleasure to visit local galleries and see the latest work by artist,

both new and experienced. And to follow an artist's work and watch as their

career takes off is an incredible experience.

 

Anne: So without further ado, here are the nominees …

------nominee video, Best 2-D Award

Anne: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Mike: The next award recognizes the Best Solo Show and let me tell you, this year

had a lot of good ones.

Anne: Absolutely. It seemed like everyone was exhibiting their work this year. It

was amazing.

Mike: The nominees for Best Solo Show are...

------nominee video, Best Solo Show

Mike: And the award goes to....(envelope)

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(exit)

Tom: So are you all having fun? We're just getting started. Our next award is for

Best Group Show...meaning, an art show of artists. (pause) A lot of them. (pause)

Like an entire group. Doing artist stuff. Here are the nominees...

------nominee video, Best Group Show

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Now we're going to recognize this year's best 3-D artist. Three-dimensional art is

 just like two-dimensional art. Except it's got that bonus dimension. The nominees

are...

------nominee video, Best 3-D Artist

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: Our next award recognizes the young thespians in our city who make their

characters on stage come to life with their talent and energy. Here are tonight's

nominees for Best Performance by a Young Actor.

------nominee video, Best Performance by a Young Actor

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom:

With such an intrepid name, one would expect All Young Girls Are Machine Guns

to be a group of former Riot Grrrls rather than the soft musicality of a one-woman

band. That one woman is Rebecca Lowry, and her lustrous voice and melodic

ukulele strums have earned her a solid reputation as one of Omaha’s

finest songstresses.

Our next performer has been nominated for three awards this evening, including

Best New Artist. Please help me welcome All Young Girls Are Machine Guns!

------Performance AYGAMG

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------VOG And now please welcome Les Bruning and Todd Simon who will present

the Lifetime Achievement Award!

Les Bruning: It's a pleasure to present tonight a very special award to someone

who is forever embedded in Omaha's history.

 

Todd Simon: Although you wouldn't know it from seeing tonight's show, there was

a time when Omaha art scene was barren.

Les: But Phil Schrager helped change all of that.

Todd: Phil's brother, Harley, once said Phil had three great passions aside from hisfamily: his company, his philanthropy and his art.

Les: His philanthropy didn't go unnoticed and earned him the 1999 Humanitarian

of the Year Award. But it was his dedication to art that benefited us all here

tonight and helped lay the foundation on which our city's creative scene could

grow.

------Phil Scrager Lifetime Achievement Award video

Todd: For his dedication, contribution and intense passion, we are honored to

present the OEAA Lifetime Achievement Award to Phil Schrager.

(exit)

Tom: Our next awards recognize some of Omaha's finest acting talent. Without

them, we wouldn't be able to enjoy some great work we've seen performed this

past year. Let's start with the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Play. And the

nominees are....

------nominee video, Best Supporting Actress in a Play

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

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Tom: Now we move on to Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. And the nominees

are....

------nominee video, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical

Tom: And the award goes to....(envelope)

Tom: We can't recognize the best supporting actor without recognizing the best

supporting actress now could we? The nominees for this year's Best Supporting

Actress in a Musical are:

------nominee video, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical

Tom: And the winner is...(envelope)

Tom: And now we move on to the next award, which recognizes the Best Actor in

a Musical. The nominees are:

------nominee video, Best Actor in a Musical

Tom: And the winner is...(envelope)

Tom: Our next performer is a vibraphonist. Yeah, I had to look that one up myself,too. The vibraphone, or vibes, is an instrument in the percussion family. Steve

Raybine has been performing the vibraphone, and other percussion instruments,

for years and has worked with top musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Michael

Feinstein and Roger Williams. He's past accomplishments include several albums,

a position as head of the UNO percussion department and chapter president of 

the Nebraska Percussion Arts Society. He's also one of the nominees for Best

Jazz/Easy Listening. Please give it up for Steve Raybine!

------Performance, Steve Raybine.

Tom: Over the past several years, this city has continued to produce musician

after brilliant musician, putting Omaha on the map as one the hottest towns for

today's cutting-edge music. Our nominees tonight have helped to shape Omaha's

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music culture by doing what they do best: creating and performing.

Let's begin by giving the award for Best Adult Alternative Singer/Songwriter. And

the nominees are...

------nominee video, Best Adult Alternative Singer/Songwriter

Tom: and the award goes to....(envelope)

Tom: Rock 'n' roll. It has defined some generations and ticked off others.

Regardless, Omaha has seen it's fair share of bands play this past year. This next

award is for those bands who have rocked us beyond all expectations.

------nominee video, Best Rock

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: This next award is for those with a little extra edge to their music...Please

congratulate this year's nominees for Best Hard Rock/Punk/Metal.

------nominee video, Best Hard Rock/Punk/Metal.

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

VOG: Ladies and gentleman, put your hands together for KGOR’s Dave Wingert 

and The Reader’s own David Williams!

Dave: Tonight's nominees for Best Actress in a Musical and Best Actor in a Play are

a cut above in regards to performance and delivery.

David: When it comes to actors and actresses, there's no doubt about it: Omahahas some gems.

Dave: This year has seen some fabulous productions and performances; from

simple sets and casts to more elaborate ensembles.

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David: And those performing in those production had to work hard, train for long

hours and give everything they had each night on stage.

Dave: The nominees for Best Actress in a Musical are...

------nominee video, Best Actress in a Musical.

David: And the award goes to....(envelope)

David: Shall I introduce the next award or would you like to?

Dave: You can introduce if I can do the envelope.

David: Deal. The nominees for Best Actor in a Play are...

------nominee video, Best Actor in a Play.

Dave: And the award goes to: (envelope)

(exit)

Tom: Is everyone enjoying the show so far? (pause) Should we give away some

more awards?How about an award for Best Gospel? (pause) Can I get a Hallelulah?

You all may not know this, but Gospel music as we know it today dates back to the

18th century and originally contained a lot of repetition so that those who didn't

know how to read could memorize the hymns.

These hymns were set up in a call-and-response form, which later paved the way

for African-American slave work songs and spiritual songs. And then gospel was

born.

In other words, this beautiful genre evolved out of the hope and comaraderie that

grew during a time of oppression. Ladies and gentleman, the nominees for Best

Gospel are...

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------nominee video, Best Gospel.

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: The evolution of music continued with R&B, Soul and Funk. So it's only

natural we'd give awards out in that order. The nominees for Best R&B, Soul and

Funk are...

------nominee video, Best R&B, Soul and Funk

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: Now that I've given you all a little music history lesson, let's move on to oneof my personal favorite genres of music: jazz. And the nominees for Best Jazz are:

------nominee video, Best Jazz

Tom: And the award goes to...

Tom: If you're like me and like to go out clubbing every night of the week, then

you already know we have some of the most creative Djs here in Omaha. Whether

it's collaborating with other musicians or providing the tunes for New Year's Eve,the nominees for Best DJ really know how to play that funky music. And the

nominees are:

------nominee video, Best DJ

Tom: And the award goes to...

VOG And now to present the awards for Best Ethnic and Best Cover Band, Voodoo

Method’s Marq Manner and Tim Clark of Empower Omaha!

Tim: Hello Omaha! (pause) What do you think, Marq, has it been a great year for

local enertainment or what?

Marq: Absolutely. It's one thing to have a lot of performances and an entirely

different thing to have a lot of good performances.This year we had a ton of plays,

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exhibits, musicals and bands all of which added up to some stellar shows.

Tim: Agreed. It seems as if we had a lot of great talent just lying dormant in this

city, waiting for a year to just spring up and blow everyone away.

Marq: And last year was that year. Tonight, we're honored to present the awards

for Best Ethnic and Best Cover Band.

Tim: Our nominees for Best Ethnic bring a dash of flavor and excitement to our

local music menu and give us a unique taste of diverse musicalities.

Marq: The nominees for Best Ethnic are...

------nominee video, Best Ethnic

Marq: And the award goes to..(envelope)

Tim: The next award honors Omaha's own Best Cover Band...

Marq: Whether they're covering a mix of songs or sticking to a certain decade,

tonight's nominees all have something in common: they all know how to put on a

great show.

Tim: The nominees for Best Cover Band are...

------nominee video, Best Cover Band

Tim: And the award goes to...(envelope)

(exit)

Tom: Our next nominees were born for the spotlight, which I can personally relate

to. Please congratulate tonight's nominees for Best Actress in a Play.

------nominee video, Best Actress in a Play

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

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Tom: The next award goes to those who spend their whole lives helping other

people get down, whether it's choreographing a group of dancing teenagers or

guiding a fiddler on the roof. The nominees for Best Choreographer (Best

Choreography in a Musical on website) are...

------nominee video, Best Choreographer

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: It's true that a play is greater than the sum of its parts. However, there needs

to be guidance to accomplish greatness. This next award recognizes the person at

the top of the theatrical food chain. The nominees for Best Director are...

------nominee video, Best Director

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: While we're at it, let's give the award for Best Director of a Musical. The

nominees are....

------nominee video, Best Director of a Musical

Tom: The award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: In case you didn't know - and you should - Omaha is a prominent city on the

literary map. The Omaha slam team has performed all over the country, bringing

home many national awards. Our next performer is one of the nominee's for Best

Slam Poet and it's easy to see what characteristics have earned her a spot in

tonight's show. Her moving words and powerful rhythm combine to produce a

piece rich in both culture and tradition, soulfulness and style. And if you ask her

why she slams, she'll say, like a true creative: “I couldn't live without art. I am an

artist. This is my life's work.” Ladies and gentleman please help me welcomeFelicia Webster!

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------Performance: Felicia Webster

Tom: It's now that time in the show where we recognize our city's Best in

Roots/Folk/Country/Americana/Bluegrass.The nominees are...

------nominee video, Best Roots/Folk/Country/Americana/Bluegrass.

Tom: And the winner is...(envelope)

Tom: You've got to admit, we have it pretty good here in Omaha, compared to

other cities in the nation, wouldn't you agree? But these next nominees still have

the blues. Thankfully, and for our benefit, they're really good at singing them. The

nominees for Best Blues Artist are...

------nominee video, Best Blues

Tom: And the winner is...(envelope)

Tom: Our next award recognizes those who can put words and rhythm together

like nothing else. Our nominees for Best Slam Poet are...

------nominee video, Best Slam Poet

Tom: From ballet to modern, ballroom to jazz, dancers have continuously inspired

audiences by meshing the excitement of theatre with the mystery of human form.

Whether they tell the story of an enchanted Rainforest or pay homage to the king

of rock 'n' roll, dancers bring electricity and life to the stage. Tonight's nominees

for Best Featured Dancer are...

------nominee video, Best Featured Dancer

Tom: And the award goes to... (envelope)

Tom: Our next award also honors those with rhythm. Please congratulate tonight's

nominees for Best Musical Production.

------nominee video, Best Musical Production

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Tom: The award goes to...(envelope)

------nominee video, Best Comedic Play

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

VOG: Please welcome to the stage Betsye Paragas and Susan Clement-Toberer…

Betsye: There's no other group of people more impressionable than today's

youth.

Susan: With influences beyond a parent's control, it's refreshing to see kids andteens become immersed in the arts.

Betsye: That immersion is made possible by several fine productions with

performances that appeal to our city's youth.

 

Susan: Through the art of performance, tonight's nominees have inspired and

intrigued our kids, and for that we thank them.

Betsye: The nominees for Best Production for a Young Audience are...

------nominee video, Best Performance for a Young Audience

Betsye: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Susan: We've seen tonight how prominent and important theatre is in our

community.

Betsye: And we've awarded those who've interpreted classical works beautifullythrough song and stage.

Susan: But we can't forget those who worked to create fresh, innovative scenes

from nothing more than a small piece of paper and a large imagination.

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Betsye: Tonight's nominees for Best Premier of a Local Script form the grassroots

of our city's theatre community.

Susan: The nominees are...

------nominee video, Best Premier of a Local Script

Susan: And the award goes to...(envelope)

(exit)

Tom: I just wanted to remind you all of the post-party reception happening at 8:30

at Stir Live and Loud happening. Best DJ nominee DJ Showcase will be there, as

will other nominees and award winners from tonight.

Let's move on to our award for Best Emerging Visual Artist, shall we?

------nominee video, Best Emerging Visual Artist

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelop)

Tom: In case you haven't heard, and you probably already have but it's worth

repeating, Omaha's number one musical export has been and continues to beIndie music. It's been called the “Omaha sound” across the country and includes

musicians from Saddle Creek records and some lesser-known labels. Tonight we

award those who continue to keep the Omaha sound alive. The nominees for Best

Indie Alternative Artist are...

------nominee video, Best Indie Alternative Artist

Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Tom: We can't forget another genre of music that's helped make Omaha

synonymous with the best in emerging music. The nominees for Best Hip Hop

Artist are...

------nominee video, Best Hip Hop Artist

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Tom: And the award goes to...(envelope)

VOG: Please welcome to the stage tonight's nominee (winner?) for Best 

Roots/Americana/Folk/Bluegrass The Filter Kings...

------Performance, The Filter Kings

VOG: Now to present the awards for Album of the Year and Best New Artist, artist 

Wayne Brekke and Omaha’s own Dr. Sanguinary!

Wayne: Producing an album takes a ton of work.

Sanguinary: There's so much that goes into the recording of just one song, fromthe very beginning when a musician finds a tune to the long hours in the studio.

Wayne: But most artists would agree all that hard work pays off just to know

they've created something much greater than the sum of its parts.

Sanguinary: And have contributed to something much larger than themselves.

Wayne: We're pleased to present a very important award, one that recognizes not

a single song, but a collective body of work.

Sanguinary: The nominees for Best Album of the Year are...

------nominee video, Album of the Year

Sanguinary: And the award goes to...(envelope)

Wayne: Every year we continue to have a variety of musicians who seem to just

spring out of nowhere. 

Sanguinary: But the truth is, talent doesn't just develop overnight, although

recognition certainley can happen that way.

Wayne: Those nominated tonight for the Best New Artist award have climbed to

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the top of the local music scene and held their own.

Sanguinary: And have produced some awesome music in the process.

Wayne: The nominees for Best New Artist are...

------nominee video, Best New Artist

Wayne: And the award goes to...(envelope)

(exit)

VOG or Tom?: Presenting the award for Best Visual Artist, please welcome Janet 

Farber and Jack Becker!

Jack: What do you think, Janet, is this a great event or what?

Janet: Absolutely. There's so much excitement and talent here tonight.

Jack: We're pleased to present the award for Best Visual Artist.

Janet: And one look at the nominees will tell you it must've been a tough choice

this year.

Jack: Here are the nominees...

------nominee video, Best Visual Artist

Janet: And the award goes to...(envelope)

(exit)

VOG or Tom?: Please welcome the “Grand Dame” of Omaha theatre Elaine Javenisand Heartland Scenic Studio’s Jerry Onik!

Elaine: Hello Omaha! It's so wonderful to be here. You know, Jerry, being onstage

has always made me feel right at home.

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Jerry: Some people were born for the spotlight and really come alive when the

curtain goes up.

Elaine: It's not just the actors. It's the setting, the sound, the script, the writing...a

good play makes the audience feel like they've been transported to another timeand place.

Jerry: Exactly. Tonight's nominees were able to do just that: captivate their

audiences with amazing productions and superb performances.

Elaine: The nominees for Best Dramatic Play are...

------nominee video, Best Dramatic Play

Jerry: And the award goes to...(envelope)

(exit)

VOG: Put your hands together for Homer's Music President Mike Fratt and 

HearNebraska Founder Andrew Norman!

Andy: What an amazing show.

Mike: I agree. But you notice how we weren't nominated for anything?

Andy: Yes and I admit I was a little bummed at first, but I've made peace with it

now.

Mike: We're here to give away a big award tonight.

Andy: The mother of all awards.

Mike: The Artist of the Year award.

Andy: And since Mike and I live and breathe music...

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Mike: It's embedded in our DNA, actually...

Andy: We can assure you that tonight's nominees have all influenced the music

scene tremendously this past year.

Mike: The nominees are...

------nominee video, Artist of the Year

Andy: And the Artist of the Year award goes to...(envelope)

(exit)

Tom closes show: I hope you've all had a great time tonight and enjoyed our

show. Don't forget our after-party at Stir Live and Loud with DJ Showcase.

Continue supporting local arts and entertainment. We'll see you next year.

------Credits roll.

- End -