Banff Centre alumni sweep 39th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards

BANFF, AB, June 26, 2018 – In a star-studded ceremony at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre in Toronto last night, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity alumni, faculty, and community swept the 39th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards with an extraordinary 19 wins. Leading the pack with five Doras was Orphée+, the critically acclaimed opera co-produced by Banff Centre, Opera Columbus, and Against the Grain Theatre in Toronto. 

“It’s an honour to be recognized among Toronto’s top theatre, dance, and opera creators. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and received awards – what an exciting night!” said Joel Ivany,  Artistic Director of Opera in the 21 Century at Banff Centre and Against the Grain Theatre in Toronto. “Thank you to all of our supporters, and to Banff Centre and Opera Columbus for helping bring our vision at Against the Grain Theatre to life.” 

Orphée+ explores the gripping and timeless love story of Orpheus and Eurydice through the lens of today’s technology. This re-imagined production pushes the boundaries of opera with a company of baroque-burlesque dancers from NYC’s Company XIV, a global virtual chorus, and international cast. See it on the Eric Harvie Theatre stage at Banff Centre July 12 and 14. Tickets are on sale now at banffcentre.ca/events 

Banff Centre congratulates all alumni, faculty, and community on their 2018 Dora Award wins in a broad range of categories, including: 

Opera Division

Outstanding Production
Orphée+

Outstanding Performance — Female
Marcy Richardson for Orphée+

Outstanding Performance — Ensemble
The Ensemble Dancers of Company XIV for Orphée+

Outstanding Performance — Male 
Geoff Sirett for The Overcoat  

Musical/Opera Division

Outstanding Costume Design
Zane Pihlström for Orphée+

Outstanding Choreography
Austin McCormick for Orphée+

Outstanding New Musical/Opera
Britta Johnson for Life After

Outstanding Lighting 
Alan Brodie for The Overcoat 

Outstanding Scenic Design 
Ken MacDonald for The Overcoat 

General Theatre Division 

Outstanding New Play 
Evalyn Parry, Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory for Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition 
Evalyn Parry, Cris Derksen for Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools

Independent Theatre Division 

Outstanding Production 
Bears 

Outstanding New Play 
Matthew Mackenzie for Bears 

Outstanding Scenic Design 
Michael Gianfrancesco for strangers, babies 

Dance Division 

Outstanding Performance — Female 
Peggy Baker for unmoored (Map by Years) 

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition
Caroline Planté and Benjamin Barrile for De La Raíz (From the Root)

Musical Theatre Division

Outstanding Production
Life After 

Outstanding Performance — Ensemble
Neema Bickersteth, Barb Fulton, Anika Johnson for Life After

Theatre for Young Audiences Division 

Oustanding New Play 
Christine Quintana for Selfie 

This impressive cohort of Banff Centre alumni, faculty, and community in the Doras winner’s circle marks a significant achievement in the Centre’s 85-year history. 

The Dora Mavor Moore Awards are produced and presented by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). Recognizing the outstanding achievements in Toronto's performing arts industry, the Doras honour the creators of over 200 theatre, dance and opera productions annually in the following divisions: General Theatre, Independent Theatre, Musical Theatre, Dance, Opera, and Theatre for Young Audiences. The Doras are named for Dora Mavor Moore (1888-1979), a well-loved teacher and director who helped establish Canadian professional theatre in the 1930s and 1940s. 

For the full list of winners, visit tapa.ca