www.broadwaynews.com: The Broadway Ensemble Awards are presented by the musical theater education nonprofit Stage Door Miracles Inc. The nonprofit is headed by Stepp Stewart, a choreographer, Emmy-nominated producer and ensemble member from the 1994 original Broadway production of “Jelly’s Last Jam,” the 1996 revival of “Applause” and the 1997 revival of “Dreamgirls.”
3 comments:
I think this is such a brilliant idea, and it is so vital to performers everywhere because the ensemble is so vital and important to the show. You cannot have a show without an ensemble, and the ensemble is what gives the show life. They deserve to be honored. When I think about the best shows that I've ever seen, they are with heavy ensemble shows. Hamilton is known as one of the best shows on Broadway, and it is that way because of the phenomenal ensemble that they have. The show would not be the same and would not be as fantastic as it is if It were just Lin-Manuel Miranda on stage. The ensemble gives the show life. I am ecstatic about these awards, and I will be following these awards to see who wins, as this is one of my favorite things that I deeply care about, which is how vital and important the ensemble is to the show.
It's a little shocking that this sort of award is not more commonplace. The ensemble is such a crucial part of any musical, and in a lot of cases I feel like they have to do so much more than the lead role. The ensemble members have to be incredible dancers, singers, and actors in their own right, and still fade seamlessly into the background to not distract from the story. That's a lot to ask for, it's easy to act when you have lines, but if your whole part consists of reacting to things around you that's so much harder to do. It also speaks to our desire to be able to point at one person and say that they are what is making whatever work, when in theatre no one is ever really doing anything alone, there is always a whole team of people behind whatever is going on, so I’m happy that these awards are finally going to recognize a group of people for their shared efforts.
Broadway quite literally would not run without its ensembles. Not only do they support the action through song and dance and help to progress the plot development, but a lot of swings and understudies are also nestled into the ensemble. Without swings and understudies, there’s no way Broadway shows could run eight nights a week without canceled shows due to sick or traveling actors. I think these Broadway ensemble awards are a lovely way to give the hardworking people in the ensemble a small fraction of the recognition they deserve. I remember when it was such a big deal that Hugh Jackman recognized the swing who stepped in as his opposite lead in The Music Man. That one moment hugely raises awareness for swings and understudies. Continuing to recognize swings/understudies in their shows and through these awards will only strengthen the Broadway community. I hope the awards are a huge success, and maybe one day there will be a Tony award for best Ensemble.
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