The Tampa Bay theater community is still mourning the loss of Jeff Norton, the actor and teacher who was tragically murdered in July. Now, the leaders of some of the area’s professional theaters have created a fitting memorial for him – The Jeff Norton Awards. (http://stpetersburg.broadwayworld.com/article/Tampa_Bay_Theatres_Announce_Awards_Named_In_Honor_of_Artist_Jeff_Norton_20100914)
The awards will honor work done in the local theaters where Norton was such a presence. They will be presented next August on the stage at the Palladium – where Norton performed his last professional role.
“Our idea was to begin a Tampa Bay-area awards ceremony to recognize theatre excellence, not unlike the Jefferson or Carbonelle awards, and name them after Jeff Norton, who was always generous about giving credit to every artist he ever worked with,” said Todd Olson, producing artistic director at American Stage Theatre Company in St. Petersburg. “The goal for the Jeff Norton Awards is to recognize finest stage artists in the area and raise the public’s awareness of the exceptional amount of professional not-for-profit theatre in Tampa Bay.”
Not-for-profit theaters in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties with a budget of $250,000 or more can participate. For more details contact Todd Olsen at 727-224-3277.
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Losing Jeff is a tragic loss in so many ways. The awards are a fitting tribute to his memory.