The Summer 2014 Production of BIG RIVER at The Kauffman Center wins big at the IMEA Awards on October 4th! Nominated for 9 out of 10 Musical Theater Categories … Winning in 6!
Following its critically acclaimed summer production of BIG RIVER, The Culture House was nominated for an IMEA Award in the following nine categories: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Amy Sander), Outstanding Scenic Design (Amy Sander, Matt Fox, Jason Hagg), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (Jack Kapple as Huck Finn), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Arthur Clifford as Tom Sawyer), Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Legna Cedillo as Alice), Outstanding Choreography (Lana Jensen), Outstanding Light Design (Robert Bowen), and Outstanding Sound Design (Harvest Productions & Kauffman Center).
The International Music and Entertainment Association, Inc. (IMEA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and serving as an advocate to individuals and organizations within the performing arts and entertainment industries. IMEA and the IMEA Awards are focused on one objective, the development of the performing arts industry worldwide and encouraging the pursuit of personal and professional growth and excellence within the industries. The mission of the annual IMEA Awards is to honor and recognize independent individuals and organizations in the music, theatre, and film industries, internationally. This year, awards were presented in 84 categories.
Director, Amy Sander, attended the awards on October 4th in Kentucky along with Jack Kapple (Huck Finn), De’Markcus Howell (Jim) and Robert Bowen (lighting designer). Not only did Kapple and Howell perform one of the productions show stopping numbers, “Muddy Water”, but the show won the top award in the following six categories: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, and Outstanding Light Design.
The Culture House is one of the most unique training and performance venues in the Kansas City area. With theatre, dance, vocal and instrumental music, and visual arts all under one roof, it is an experience one cannot miss. Additionally, when you walk in the doors, you will find students/performers from all over Kansas City and surrounding areas. With professional education and performance opportunities for ages 4 through adult, The Culture House is Kansas City’s premier performing arts academy.
For additional information, please call The Culture House at 913.393.3141 or visit us at www.culturehouse.com. For more information on IMEA or the IMEA Awards, visit www.imeaonline.com and www.imeaawards.com. IMEA President, Colt Chambers, may be reached at 615.530.1203 or CChambers@IMEAOnline.com.