Blog — Kudzu Playhouse

Location change for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

April 9, 2019 by Daniel Mullins Leave a Comment

JOIN US AT
Friendship Church of Christ, 3250 Pleasant Hill Road, Olive Branch

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR ACTORS AND PATRONS, we have made the difficult decision to move this week’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” indoors to Friendship Church of Christ for ALL PERFORMANCES.

April 11 – 14, 2019
Showtimes are 7:00 p.m. each evening
Friendship Church of Christ, 3250 Pleasant Hill Road, Olive Branch, MS

One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Midsummer is a story of order and disorder, reality and appearance, and love and marriage. It portrays the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta (the former queen of the Amazons). These include the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors (the mechanicals) who are controlled and manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest in which most of the play is set.

Tickets: Suggested donation of $10, available online using the button below or at the venue on show days. Recommended for ages 10 years and above.

Kudzu’s Microphone Campaign

February 18, 2019 by Joi Taylor Leave a Comment

You can donate today by clicking HERE or on your phone by texting KUDZUFAN to 44-321.

Now Accepting Applications for 2019 Kudzu Playhouse Scholarships

February 10, 2019 by Daniel Mullins Leave a Comment

The submission period for 2019 Kudzu Playhouse Scholarships is now open!

Please visit the scholarships page to apply!

2018 Allie Awards Winners

February 1, 2019 by Daniel Mullins Leave a Comment

The 2018 Allie Awards banquet took place February 1st, 2019 at the Landers Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi. There are 14 theaters in the North Mississippi Theatre Alliance – 4 community theaters and 10 high schools.

The evening included 10 musical numbers from Alliance theaters.

“Everywhere That You Are” from James and The Giant Peach (Hernando High School) featured Bret Arton, Claire Ballard, Savannah Demers, Hunter Hill, Caroline McCafferty and Artie Pernsteiner.
“I’ll Know” from Guys and Dolls Jr. (Lewisburg High School) featured Andrea Turnbow and Ty Kirk.
“C’est Moi” from Camelot (DeSoto Family Theatre) featured Bradley Karel.
“Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Kudzu Playhouse) featured Jamison White and Company.
“We’re the Man” from Calvin Berger (Northwest Mississippi Community College) featured Nelson Meredith and Brynden Foster.
“Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the Beast (Northpoint Christian School) featured Sarah Kathryn Meek.
“Why Should I Change a Thing” from Annie (Panola Playhouse) featured Jason Brooks.
“When You’re an Addams” from Addams Family: The Musical (Panola Playhouse) featured Caiden Britt, Cassidy Keeton, Cody Morris, Claire Ballard, Sharon Bordon, Tuck Hawkins, Alan Hopkins, Anna Grace Marshall, Ian Duggan and company.
“The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing” from White Christmas (Hernando High School) featured Ty Kirk, Mikayla House, Bret Arton, Claire Ballard, Sophia Werneck, Aika Owens and Nathan Tillman.
“Seize The Day” from Newsies (DeSoto Family Theatre) featured Whitney Branan, Kage Cliburn, Savannah Demers, Parker Hood, Mikayla House, Ty Kirk, Peyton Lanham, Brady Pillstron, Gabriella Scarpace, Grayson Todd, Trevor Wallace and company.

The winners of the categories were as follows:

Best Overall Production

Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Musical

Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Drama

It’s A Wonderful Life – Kudzu Playhouse

Best Comedy

Waiting for Godot – Northwest Mississippi Community College

Best Youth Production

Shrek Jr. – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Director of a Musical

Whitney Branan – Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Director of a Drama

Emily F. Chateau – It’s A Wonderful Life – Kudzu Playhouse

Best Director of a Comedy

Alyssa Algee – Waiting for Godot – Northwest Mississippi Community College

Best Director of a Youth Production

Erica Peninger – Shrek Jr. – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Cast

Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

Caiden Britt – Addams Family: The Musical – Panola Playhouse

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

Jacquelyn Skoog – Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy)

Jon Tackett – A Delicate Ship – Northwest Mississippi Community College

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Drama or Comedy)

Preslie Anne Cowley – Waiting for Godot – Northwest Mississippi Community College

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

Cody Morris – Addams Family: The Musical – Panola Playhouse

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Haley Kelly – Addams Family: The Musical – Panola Playhouse

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy)

Thomas Ford – It’s A Wonderful Life – Kudzu Playhouse

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Drama or Comedy)

Alyssa Algee – The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Performance by a Young Actor (13-17)

Parker Hood – Newsies – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Performance by a Young Actress (13-17)

Claire Ballard – Addams Family: The Musical – Panola Playhouse

Best Performance by a Young Actor (12 & Under)

Kage Cliburn – The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Performance by a Young Actress (12 & Under)

Callee Grace Burkes – Annie – Panola Playhouse

Best Cameo Performance by an Actor

Will Brown – The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Kudzu Playhouse

Best Cameo Performance by an Actress

Lauren Shlukbier – Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Performance by a Male Dancer

Grayson Todd – Newsies – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Performance by a Female Dancer

Mikayla House – Newsies – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Choreography

Whitney Branan – Newsies – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Set

Daniel Mueller – Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Costuming

Melanie Ozburn – The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Special Effects

Anna McFatridge – The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Sound

Joshua Crawford – Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Lighting

Mandy K. Heath – Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Orchestral Direction

Justin Wadkins – Camelot – DeSoto Family Theatre

Best Vocal Direction

Justin Wadkins – The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Kudzu Playhouse

Best Hair and Makeup

Buddy Hart – Addams Family: The Musical – Panola Playhouse

Best Lobby Design

Ashley Kirk/Christy Wilbanks – Shrek Jr. – DeSoto Family Theatre

2018 Allie Awards Nominations

January 23, 2019 by Daniel Mullins Leave a Comment

The 2018 Allie Awards Banquet will be held February 1st, 2019 at the Landers Center. Congratulations to all the nominees!

1984 presented by Kudzu Playhouse

1984

Best Cameo Performance by an Actress – Cassidy Keeton
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Laura Sellers
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Daniel Mullins
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – J.T. Harrington

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Best Vocal Direction – Justin Wadkins
Best Orchestral Direction – Justin Wadkins
Best Lighting – Payden and James Taylor
Best Sound – Ricky Smith
Best Special Effects – Jamison White
Best Costuming – Joi Taylor & Susan Zeringue
Best Set – Justin Bixler
Best Performance by a Female Dancer – Jillian Worthing
Best Cameo Performance by an Actor – Will Brown
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in Musical – Justin Bixler
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in Musical – Caiden Britt
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in Musical – Jamison White
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical – Jillian Worthing
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Riley Young
Best Cast
Best Director of a Musical – Keith Salter
Best Musical

Madagascar JR

Best Lobby Design – Laura Teuton
Best Performance by a Young Actress (12 & Under) – Sydney Teuton
Best Performance by a Young Actor (12 & Under) – Eli Harrington
Best Director of a Youth Production – Daphne Cox

It’s a Wonderful Life

Best Sound – Emily Chateau
Best Costuming – Joi Taylor & Susan Zeringue
Best Set – Emily F. Chateau & Julia Chateau
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Patty Carreras
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Haley Kelly
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Thomas Ford
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Rick Kelly
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Julie Beth Hight
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy) – Adam Hogue
Best Cast
Best Director of a Drama – Emily F. Chateau
Best Drama

See all of the nominations below:

1. Best Lobby Design
Buddy Hart — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Ashley Kirk / Christy Wilbanks — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Ashley Kirk / Christy Wilbanks — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Samantha Moore — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Laura Teuton – Madagascar Jr. — Kudzu Playhouse

2. Best Hair & Makeup
Buddy Hart — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Buddy Hart — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Buddy Hart — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Buddy Hart / Charles McGowan — Beauty and the Beast — Panola Playhouse
Buddy Hart / Rence Phillips — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre

3. Best Vocal Direction
Dr. Saundra Bishop — Calvin Berger — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Collin Lowery — Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre
Brittany Navarro — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Brittany Navarro — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Brittany Navarro — Dogfight — Panola Playhouse
Justin Wadkins — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse

4. Best Orchestral Direction
Jacquelene Cooper — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Collin Lowery — Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre
Brittany Navarro — Dogfight — Panola Playhouse
Justin Wadkins — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Justin Wadkins — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse

5. Best Lighting
James Dickson — A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Mandy K. Heath — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Sheric Hull — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Kevin Rogers – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – DeSoto Family Theatre
Payden and James Taylor – The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Kudzu Playhouse
Hayes Wolfe — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse

6. Best Sound
Emily F. Chateau — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Joshua Crawford — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Reyn Lehman — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Victoria Newton — Calvin Berger — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Ricky Smith — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse

7. Best Special Effects
Jordan Caviezel — Beauty and the Beast — Panola Playhouse
Anna McFatridge — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Jamison White — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Whitney Branan / Dan Lehman — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre

8. Best Costuming
Ashley Whitten Kopera — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Melanie Ozburn – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Melanie Ozburn — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Melanie Ozburn — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Kim Peninger — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Kim Peninger — Beauty and the Beast — Panola Playhouse
Joi Taylor / Susan Zeringue — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Joi Taylor / Susan Zeringue — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse

9. Best Set
Alyssa Algee — A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Justin Bixler — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Emily Chateau / Julia Chateau — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Vic Henson — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Daniel Mueller — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Erica Peninger — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre

10. Best Choreography
Whitney Branan — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Whitney Branan — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Savannah Demers — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse

11. Best Performance By A Female Dancer
Whitney Branan — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Savannah Demers — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Mikayla House — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Anna Grace Marshall — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Gabriella Scarpace — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Charlotte Wilson — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Jillian Worthing — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse

12. Best Performance By A Male Dancer
Caiden Britt — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Cooper Clack — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Ian Duggan — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Brady Pillstrom — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Grayson Todd — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre

13. Best Cameo Performance By An Actress
Cassidy Keeton — 1984 — Kudzu Playhouse
Erica Peninger — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Lauren Schlukbier — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre

14. Best Cameo Performance By An Actor
Will Brown — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Davis Jones — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Andrew Van Velsor — Dogfight — Panola Playhouse

15. Best Performance By A Young Actress (12 & under)
Anna Benedict — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Callee Grace Burkes — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Lyla Kate Burkes — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Laila McNamee — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Ella Scott — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Scottie Swanson — Beauty and the Beast — Panola Playhouse
Sydney Teuton — Madagascar, Jr. — Kudzu Playhouse

16. Best Performance By A Young Actor (12 & Under)
Atreyu Armstrong — Aladdin, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Calvin ‘Tre’ Barnes III — Aladdin, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Kage Cliburn — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Kage Cliburn — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Eli Harrington — Madagascar, Jr. — Kudzu Playhouse
Jody Hawkins — Aladdin, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre

17. Best Performance By A Young Actress (13-17)
Claire Ballard — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Reagan Hall — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Mikayla House — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Sophia Werneck — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Mallie Wilbanks — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre

18. Best Performance By A Young Actor (13-17)
Ethan Benson — Dogfight — Panola House
Parker Hood — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Davis Jackson — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Austin Jones — Beauty & the Beast — Panola Playhouse
Ty Kirk — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Peyton Lanham — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Brady Pillstrom — Aladdin, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Davis Smith — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Ethan Witt — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre

19. Best Performance By A Featured Actress In A Play (Drama or Comedy)
Alyssa Algee — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Patty Carreras — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Haley Kelly — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Laura Sellers — 1984 — Kudzu Playhouse

20. Best Performance By A Featured Actor In A Play (Drama or Comedy)
Adam Brimingham – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre
Thomas Ford — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Brynden Foster — A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Rick Kelly — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Daniel Mullins — 1984 — Kudzu Playhouse
Wesley Williamson — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre

21. Best Performance By A Featured Actress In A Musical
Desiree Albonetti — Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre
Claire Ballard — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Jacquelene Cooper — Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre
Missy Hopkins — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Mikayla House — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Ily Jeanniton — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Haley Kelly — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Ashley McCormack — Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre
Jamie Pitcock — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Lauren Suddoth — Beauty and the Beast — Panola Playhouse

22. Best Performance By A Featured Actor In A Musical
Justin Bixler — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Caiden Britt — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Parker Hood — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Bradley Karel — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Ty Kirk — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Charles McGowan — Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre
Cody Morris — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Standrew Parker — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Daniel Thompson — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Jamison White — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse

23. Best Performance By A Leading Actress In A Play (Drama or Comedy)
Preslie Anne Cowley — Waiting for Godot — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Julie Beth Hight — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Victoria Newton — A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Susan Webster — Cheaper by the Dozen — Panola Playhouse

24. Best Performance By A Leading Actor In A Play (Drama or Comedy)
Adam Brimingham — Cheaper by the Dozen — Panola Playhouse
J.T. Harrington — 1984 — Kudzu Playhouse
Adam Hogue — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Jon Tackett — A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Jacob Vogelsang — Waiting for Godot — Northwest Mississippi Community College

25. Best Performance By A Leading Actress In A Musical
Whitney Branan — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Cassidy Keeton — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Jacquelyn Skoog — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Megan Van Velsor — Dogfight — Panola Playhouse
Jillian Worthing — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse

26. Best Performance By A Leading Actor In A Musical
Ethan Benson — Dogfight — Panola Playhouse
Caiden Britt — The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Jason Brooks — Annie — Panola Playhouse
Kent Fleshman — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Nelson Meredith — Calvin Berger — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Riley Young — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse

27. Best Cast
The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre
The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse

28. Best Director Of A Youth Production
Whitney Branan — Aladdin, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Daphne Cox — Madagascar, Jr. — Kudzu Playhouse
Erica Peninger — Shrek, Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre

29. Best Director Of A Comedy
Alyssa Algee — Waiting for Godot — Northwest Mississippi Community College

30. Best Director of a Drama
Emily Chateau — It’s a Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
Sadie Shannon — A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
John Smiley — The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre

31. Best Director Of A Musical
Whitney Branan — Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
Whitney Branan — Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre
Keith Salter — The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Sadie Shannon — Calvin Berger — Northwest Mississippi Community College
Jason Spitzer / Jacquelyn Skoog — Godspell — DeSoto Family Theatre

32. Best Youth Production
Aladdin Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre
Shrek Jr. — DeSoto Family Theatre

33. Best Comedy
Waiting for Godot — Northwest Mississippi Community College

34. Best Drama
A Delicate Ship — Northwest Mississippi Community College
It’s A Wonderful Life — Kudzu Playhouse
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe — DeSoto Family Theatre

35. Best Musical
The Addams Family — Panola Playhouse
Camelot — DeSoto Family Theatre
The Hunchback of Notre Dame — Kudzu Playhouse
Newsies — DeSoto Family Theatre

36. Best Overall Production
The Nominees in this category will be the winners of the following categories:
– Best Youth Production
– Best Comedy
– Best Drama
– Best Musical