UNIVERSITY PLAYERS AND BLACK MASK RECOGNIZE BEST WORK OF THE SEASON

Theatre work, both on-stage and back-stage, were recognized Saturday night as University Players and Black Mask Honorary Dramatic society held their annual banquet marking the end of the 1992-1993 season of Southeast Missouri State University's theatre program.

Graduating actor Jay Cross of Billings, Mont., received the Career Acting Award, which carries a cash stipend, and was named as Best Actor in a supporting Role for his performance as Bill in "Walking On Our Knees," an ethno-drama written by Sharon Bebout of the university's theatre faculty.

Abbie Crites of Wheatland, Wyo., won the Critic's Award, nicknamed "The Judy" for Judith Ann Crow, Missourian reviewer, for her all-round contribution to the theatre program during her college career.

Four young women, three nominated for a joint performance, were named Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Kara Cracraft of Cape Girardeau, as Mrs. Kirby in "You Can't Take It With You," and Kira Birr of St. Joseph, April Elliott of LeMay, and Tina Schaeffer of St. Louis as the Witches in "Macbeth."

Elliott also received the award for OUtstanding Service on a Single Production; she was assistant director, fight assistant director, co-head of publicity, and worked on the sound crew, all for "Macbeth."

The top acting awards also went for performances in "Macbeth": Best Actress in a Leading Role, Amy Monfort of Kirkwood as Lady Macbeth, and Best Actor in a Leading Role, Patrick Rebmann as the title character.

Recognized for Outstanding Service for an Entire Season was Brandon Nielson of Cape Girardeau, and honored as the Unsung Hero was Scott Funke of Ferguson.

Except for the Career Acting Award and the Critic's Award, the honors are a part of the Davis-Barnett Series, established by the late Elaine (Tommie) Davis and Jane Barnett, and the recipients are chosen by a committee made up of the faculty and townspeople.

"The Tommie," an award whose recipient is chosen by theatre students themselves in honor of Davis, went to Don Schulte of the theatre faculty.