The 2015 First Night Honors Gala

The leading lights of Tennessee theater will be heralded with the presentation of the 2015 First Night Honors Gala, to be held Sunday, September 20, at the iconic and historic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville. Hosted by Geoff Davin, Stephanie Jones-Benton and Erica Patterson, the event will feature musical numbers by more than 150 performers in tribute to the Class of 2015 Honorees. Tickets are $25 and should be purchased in advance by calling executive producer/founder Jeffrey Ellis at (615) 300-2513. Nine individuals who have taken leading roles in making live theater in Tennessee better and more magical have been named as members of the Class of 2015 Honorees for The First Night Honors, the annual celebration of all things theatrical held in Nashville every September. This year's Gala will include a SILENT AUCTION and a Special First Night Pre-Show at BACKSTAGE AT THE BARN (to be hosted by Memory Strong). A cash bar will be available and a special appetizers/desserts menu will be offered during First Night festivities at Chaffin's Barn. The 2015 Honorees include: Actor/director/producer/writer Henry O. “Chip” Arnold Actress/director/educator Kaul Williams Bluestone Producer/director/actor/Arts Center of Cannon County’s Darryl Deason, Murfreesboro dentist Playwright/educator/director Paula Flautt of Christ Presbyterian Academy Actress/producer/director LB Gaiters Actress/director/teacher Carol Irvin of Crossville’s Cumberland County Playhouse Producer Larry Keeton, namesake of The Larry Keeton Theatre, Donelson Actress/director/producer Wesley Paine Actress/director/producer Martha Wilkinson, the winner of 9 First Night Awards for her roles in musical theater and artistic director of Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre In addition to the 2015 Honorees, winners of the First Night Star Award were revealed at the annual Preview Party at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre in July and will be featured at the Honors Gala. Star Award winners include: Britt Hancock, April Presley, Jenny Wallace Noel, Blandina Vergara Cruz, Kari Smith, Bradley Moore, Nicole Begue Hackmann, Buffi Jones Holland, David Wilkerson, Matt Smith, Ron Murphy, Brenda Dent Gregory, Dave McGinnis, Teresa Hardage Driver, L.T. Kirk, Kim Tyson Powers, Jessika Malone, Eddie Charlton, Mary Ellen Smith and Donald Powell. ABOUT FIRST NIGHT: During its original incarnation (beginning in 1989), First Night Awards were presented in many different categories; styled after the Tony Awards, theater-goers annually cast their ballots for their favorites in various award categories. When First Night was revived in 2010, an effort was made to maintain the longtime feeling of First Night (described as a genuine sense of joie de vivre and community among a large, disparate – and sometimes dysfunctional – group of individuals) while creating an event more relevant in the 21st century. Ultimately, it was decided to model First Night on The Kennedy Center Honors, focusing on the achievements of a group of visionaries, or as they are now referred to: the leading lights of Tennessee theater. Subsequently, an original First Night category of Most Promising Actor was updated with a group of young theater artists recognized each year, in anticipation of their future accomplishments, and in 2011, the First Night Star Award was established to recognize leaders of the theater community who are likely to be given the full First Night Honors treatment in years to come, in recognition of their achievements to date. At the First Night Honors Gala each year, a cast upwards of 150 performers pay tribute to the honorees with a concert performance featuring a wide range of music, drama and comedy featuring performers from throughout the Volunteer State. In addition, Most Promising Actors are given their own special evening of performance, spotlighting their unique talents and capabilities.