Award-winning actor Dale Dickey, a Knoxville native and Clarence Brown alum, with Alexander Waters, the current chair of the Clarence Brown Theatre’s Advisory Board.
The Clarence Brown Theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this month with “A Gala to Remember” at Regas Square Events in downtown Knoxville. Highlight was the return of several alums of the University of Tennessee’s acclaimed theater program who came back to Knoxville for the celebration.
Also at the event were a number of aspiring theater professionals who are studying at UT right now. I’m sure the evening was an inspiration to them, as well as to the throngs of local supporters who showed up to cheer on the program and the hard-working faculty and staff who make our theater program the standout that it is.
Guests were encouraged to wear gold and black in honor of the “golden anniversary,” and most did, adding to the glitter of the evening.
Ken and Julia Martin upon their arrival. Ken is artistic director of the Clarence Brown Theatre and head of the UT Department of Theatre. Here’s a fun profile of him.
From left, Terry Weber, Jeni Lamm, and Alan Carmichael. Terry, an actor himself, is a retired long-time professor in the UT Department of Theatre. Jeni, also an actor, is the retired managing director of The Word Players in Knoxville. (Alan is a retired PR guy!)
Knoxville Museum of Art Executive Director Steven Matijcio, with his wife, Anita Hollmann Matijcio, left, and arts supporter Julie Howard.
Maureen and Neil McBride didn’t have far to travel to the festivities. They have a condo in Regas Square.
From left, Pandy Anderson (also a Regas Square resident), Jessie Arnidis, Ivan Beltz, and Donna Davis.
Elisabeth Rukeyser, left, and Betsy Quinn.
David Ratliff, left, and theatre department alum Brady Molrup. Ratliff is lead house manager of the Clarence Brown Theatre.
More students, from left, Sophie Smrcka, Amoirie Perteet, Clay Cooper, Sammy Pontello, Michaela Lochen, and Allison Bucher. Look for their names in the credits of upcoming TV, film and stage productions!
Jeni Lamm, left, and Leann Dickson.
It was a fun place for photographs!
And mingling!
Bob Marquis and Townes Osborn.
From left, Lee Riedenger, Mary Zuhr, Jim Grossen, and Sara Phillips.
From left, Liz and Wes Stowers, Jenny and Randy Boyd, and Linda Morris.
Mingling under the tent was fun, too.
University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd and his wife, Jenny. She’s an alum and former actor and dancer who currently owns the Jig & Reel in Knoxville’s Old City where she often plays the fiddle!
Jim and Kim Hays.
Passed appetizers were beef tenderloin on black pepper biscuits with tomato jam and mini-crab cakes with remoulade. Delish.
Jenny Boyd and Dale Dickey.
From left, Brooks Clark, Neil McBride, Marsha Hollingsworth, and Randy Boyd.
Lisa Carroll, left, and Barbara Apking.
Lila Honaker, left, and Deborah Franklin.
From left, Lindsay Hammill with Beth and John B. Waters III.
Michael Combs and Marsha Hollingsworth.
From left, Lisa Carroll, Georgiana Vines, and Robin Turner.
UT students, from left, Tori Niemiec, Matthew Carl, and Miguel Santiago with Brooks Clark, a member of the theater’s advisory board.
Susan and Kent Farris. (For a minute, I thought Robert Redford was at the event!)
Tom Cervone and Susan Creswell. Tom is managiing director of the Clarence Brown Theatre.
R.J. Hinde, left, and John Winemiller. Hinde is interim executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UT.
From left, Susan and Kent Farris, Dale Dickey, David Brian Alley, and Caroline Alley.
From left, Misty Anderson, Michael Higdon, Scott Bird, and Alan Carmichael.
From left, Alexander Waters, Daniele Ely, and Matthew Tully.
Here’s Danielle, center, with her parents, Dan and Moira Ely.
We were called inside to dinner and I realized that the lighting would make it impossible to take decent photos of the food.
We were seated with the featured entertainer, Levi Kreis, left, and his husband, Jason Antone. Kreis won a Tony Award for his performance as Jerry Lee Lewis in the Broadway musical, “Million Dollar Quartet.”
Michael Nunley, left, and Terry Alford, a professor in the theatre department.
Brooks and Karen Clark.
Show time! Here’s Levi Kreis performing.
Dale Dickey making remarks.
Bailey McCall, a UT alum and successful New York actor.
Other alums who spoke, clockwise from left, Rebecca Haden, who has a recurring role in “Gilded Age;” Bearden and UT grad Brady Moldrup, who’s looking for his first break; Lianne Kressin, a former Knoxvillian making it as an actor and director in New York; and her husband, Ronny Venable, an actor and writer there.
It was a fun, fun night!
That looks like a fun night!
Monique: It was a ton of fun!