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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Vonnies recognize stars of APO and theatre

    Cast members of “The Adventures of Pinocchio Once Upon a Pine” were led in a chant by Tyler Meyer as they received their first award of the evening (above).

    On Friday, May 13 Alpha Psi Omega hosted The Vonnies 2016, a time to recognize productions from the theatre season and outstanding members of APO. Cast members of “The Adventures of Pinocchio Once Upon a Pine” were led in a chant by Tyler Meyer as they received their first award of the evening.

    The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt

    The seats of the Vonnie Borden Theatre were filled by those dressed in formal wear in anticipation for a night that celebrated the stars. 

    On Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. Alpha Psi Omega presented The 2016 Vonnies. The Vonnies take place each year and is a time to recognize APO members who went above and beyond while also giving awards for the theatre season. The evening was split into two parts with senior recognition in the middle. The first part of the evening was the recognition of APO awards and after the senior recognition, the evening switched into the show awards. 

    “We tried to make it distinguishable with just the APO awards and then just the show awards,” said senior communication sciences and disorders major Kelsey Hymel. “It’s an APO event which is why we have things like best Big and Little and things like that. I think people that aren’t APO like to see our camaraderie.”

    To help move the evening along, Hymel and senior general studies major with a concentration in theatre design Taylor Sinclair hosted the event and provided entertainment from one award to the next. 

    “It was Taylor and I’s idea to host it as Sandy and Andy to begin with,” said Hymel. “Then I told my fellow officers and they told me that we don’t have a problem with that. So really we thought it would be funny to sit on stage the entire time like the old men from ‘The Muppets’ and kind of give side comments and keep things going because sometimes there is dead air so we are just comedic relief.”

    Sinclair agreed with Hymel on providing proper entertainment to keep the show moving along. Some attendees of The Vonnies were pleased that their passion had a night of recognition.

    “It was all on a whim,” said Sinclair. “The two of us have great improv whit. It was an honor to move along the show and help others see what we were all about in theatre. We do it every single year. Being able to do the awards simultaneously also feels really good. I am a huge part of APO. They have been a huge part of my life since I got here to school and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

    One of the APO awards for the evening was Best-Best Friends. This award was given to the two APO members that were seen as the closest of friends to their fellow organizational members. 

    “I won Best-Best Friends with Shelly Sneed,” said general studies major with a concentration in theatre junior Shelby Elliott-Layman. “I mean I feel great. I was very surprised when we got nominated because I don’t think Shelly and I are showy with our friendship. We are definitely really close. We have the same birthday. We almost have the same name. I only met her about seven months ago but it feels like we’ve known each other our entire life.”

    Some of the other APO awards given out were Most Active Veteran, APO Anchor, Most Prestigious and Loudest Member to name a few. 

    After the APO organizational Vonnies were given out, senior recognition was observed and then the show awards began. Shows from the last theatre season were nominated for various awards and included “No Exit,” “Encore, Encore,” “High & Mighty,” “Oedipus” and “The Adventures of Pinocchio Once Upon A Pine.”

    “It was incredibly exciting,” said Louisiana State University math teacher and actor Tyler Meyer. “Every show got their part of winning something so you know it is a good program.”

    The two highest show honors for individuals people best female and male actor. Sinclair took home the Best Male Actor and senior general studies major with a concentration in theatre Angela Griffitt took home Best Female Actor. Both actors were ecstatic after receiving their awards.

    “It’s insane,” said Sinclair. “I never thought in my life I would be an actor. The fact that I am standing here, yeah it is a departmental award, but it is probably the greatest thing I’ve ever won in my life. This is something I do want to pursue. The fact that this could be one of the first steps of many things in my life is absolutely wonderful.”

    Griffitt was as enthusiastic as Sinclair for her award.

    “Tonight was very nerve-wracking and very anxious,” said Griffitt. “I knew I was up for two awards. One that completely slipped my mind and then when it happened I was like ‘Oh, snap.’ I am so grateful for everyone that voted and it was a great night. It couldn’t have gone better. I am holding two Vonnies in my hand right now and it feels amazing. I am so grateful.”

    Other awards included Best Set Design, Best Crew, Best Assistant Director and Best Stage Manager to name a few. 

    Some attendees for the evening expressed that their favorite part of the evening was not when they won an award, but rather seeing those that they worked on productions with win awards.

    “Liz winning Best Stage Manager was my favorite part because having my first two shows ever were with Liz as a stage-manager and I’m kind of a nervous wreck,” said Elliott-Layman. “She was kind of the captain of the ship for me. She went above and beyond for me, for what is required for a stage manager. I am just happy that she got recognized and also seeing one of my very first cast members, Angie, win best actress was so surreal. I was so happy for her.”

    Griffitt’s favorite memory from The 2016 Vonnies was seeing her fellow actors’ reaction during her acceptance speech for Best Female Actor. 

    “My most fond memory was looking at my two castmates,” said Griffitt. “Well my fellow lead cast members, Shelby and Taylor. Making eye contact with them during my speech, it really hit me because working with them has been like nothing else and I always wanted to work with them. They truly changed me for the better and I love them both. That moment of making eye contact with them was a very special moment.”

    “Once Upon a Pine” won multiple Vonnies and Meyers led the crew in a chant at the 2016 Vonnies when they won Best Ensemble which had originally brought the cast together before production.

    “It gives us a chance to come together and get energetic,” said Meyers. “All those names that were called through it were just actor names we would do before a show. That was just something that united us as a cast.”

    For some, it was the effort of everyone involved in a show that made it truly amazing. 

    “I was part of the ensemble, narrator and I was also the choreographers of the show ‘Once Upon A Pine,’” said Meyers. “We were just a group of actors who together on stage. The bonding kept us together. If I could say anything about that show, the cast just bonded together so well and then we put it on the stage. It was not just the ensemble. All nine of us on stage along with the stage manager, along with our directors, along with everyone involved, costume and makeup, everyone pulled one thousand percent on that show and it was a lot of fun. And while we were goofing off, we knew that we were creating something beautiful.” 

    APO does not meet the summer but will be meeting back up in the Fall.

    “I feel like we are an all-inclusive group of people,” said Hymel. “We are accepting wherever you are in theatre; whether you are a theatre goer, whether you are used to crew or whether you just want to do acting. I never did sound design till I came to Southeastern and now it is one of the most important parts of my life. You’ll find out things about yourself through theatre, and I think every art and APO is a great way to that world, especially through Southeastern.”

    Some other members found a second home through APO and wished they had become an APO member their first semester of college.

    “I wish I had joined it a lot sooner because there were a few semesters where I went to an interest meeting but I didn’t join,” said Elliott-Layman. “There were other things going on so I didn’t quite commit to it. But it has only expanded, like the group of people that I know. I know so many people that I wouldn’t through APO. I’m just happy with the people I have met and the experiences I have had and I feel like I truly found a home.” 

    For some, summer is a time to prepare for auditions that take place in the Fall semester.

    “I think, having never been in a show before, I was in ‘No Exit’ in the Fall and I would recommend absolutely auditioning for a show at Southeastern,” said Elliott-Layman. “You have all summer to prepare a monologue, so go for it next semester. Definitely join APO. It is a little scary at first, you think you don’t have that many hours to do service or whatever, but just go for it.”

    Jaimee Rome

    Jaimee Rome presents a Vonnie at the 2016 Vonnies.
    The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt

    Crystal Schayot gives a 2016 Vonnie.

    Crystal Schayot presents a 2016 Vonnies.
    The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt

    On Friday, May 13 Alpha Psi Omega hosted The Vonnies 2016, a time to recognize productions from the theatre season and outstanding members of APO. Olivia Waguespack received an award from presenter Shelly Sneed.

    On Friday, May 13 Alpha Psi Omega hosted The Vonnies 2016, a time to recognize productions from the theatre season and outstanding members of APO. Olivia Waguespack received an award from presenter Shelly Sneed. 
    The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt

     

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