Each year, the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) has a competition among it's theatres to honor those that truly show what community theatre is all about. Ohio is divided into five regions, and The Village Players falls into the NorthWest category. OCTA NorthWest's event was held at the Lima Encore Theatre in Lima, Ohio, June 8-10, 2001.
The Village's Submission committee selected Pvt. Wars as our submission. We had just over two weeks to prepare ourselves, refresh the show, and get organized. We drew the 9:50AM slot on Saturday, which meant that most of us were up quite early (or late) for theatre people to make the one-and-a-half hour drive to the competition, though, there were a few smart souls that arrived on Friday evening. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we waited patiently for our excerpt to be called. When the time finally came the actors truly shined and showed what The Village is capable of. (I know I'm biased, but no one else has submitted an account of the day in question, so I get to write the article) John Jennens, Derek Hansen and I put on one of our best performances. Having been to OCTA-NW competition last year, I knew what to expect, though I was still as nervous as I could possibly get.
After the excerpt, the Responders were each give three minutes to critique the performance, actors, set, staging, et al of the show. Each was exceptionally kind and insightful. I, for one, do not envy their job.
There were a total of 11 excerpts from various theatres around the NorthWest region. From the time we were offstage and judged, to the awards presentation on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 was eternal, or so it seemed. Each theatre received a Certificate of Appreciation for their participation, and then the awards for the shows were presented. Pvt. Wars did The Village proud, garnering a total of FIVE awards. They are:
| John Henry | Outstanding Director |
| Norb Mills | Outstanding Director |
| Jake Gordy | Outstanding Actor |
| Derek Hansen | Excellence in Acting |
| John Jennens | Excellence in Acting |
Also, OCTA-NW selected Pvt. Wars to be one of three excerpts to represent the region at State Competition on Labor Day weekend.
Congratulations, and Thank You to the Cast and Crew of Pvt. Wars - From the Board of Directors
On a personal note:
Jake Gordy would like to thank - John Henry & Norb, I've learned so much from both of you during this show, and I owe you much. John & Derek, someday I'll get "Peaches" I promise, but until then, I couldn't have asked for better actors with whom to share the stage. You're pro's and I hope you know that. Nancy Janney, Scott Gage, Angie Gage, Jackie & Steve, Dale Moore, and all the techies - without you, there would be no show, I owe this award to you too. Matt Wiederhold - Thank you for taking a chance on a 19-year old in a piano bar, who knew? Laura, my unfailing support. Tom, my partner and biggest fan, thanks for not sleeping on my account and tolerating Gately. My family for teaching me to take a chance, fear nothing, and do right always. And, without a doubt, God, who gave me all these people, and gifts.
Derek Hansen would like to thank -
John Jennens would like to thank -
Last Modified: 03/24/09