Ritz Theater Sanford

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Ritz Theatrical Program

“There is a kind of invisible thread between the actor and the audience, and when it’s there it’s stunning and there is nothing to match that.” – Maggie Smith

Although we’re physically located in Sanford, we serve a much larger community that extends from Orange to Volusia Counties. We believe that bringing theater to life enriches those who participate in staging the productions, and those who attend our performances.

Simply put, our mission is to produce and present entertainment that engages and inspires diverse audiences while cultivating performance art for youth and regional talent. 

We offer regional residents an opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the theatrical performance. Each season we perform four shows. All of our auditions are open to actors of all ages and talents. If acting is not your greatest strength, our productions offer individuals a wide variety of opportunities where they can use their talents to take words on a printed page to a multi-dimensional stage experience. Those who participate on our side of the footlights represent a diversity of age, culture, life experience, and a strong appreciation of the importance of the arts.

Each season, a dedicated group of individuals with expertise in the various facets of theater arts, known as the Ritz Theater’s Repertory Committee, selects the shows that we stage. In so doing, our focus is to preserve and advance the arts while entertaining the community. The committee meets regularly to plan and select performances and to fill the executive crew positions. 

As a non-equity professionally managed community theater, volunteers are always needed. If you have skills in costuming/sewing, set design and construction, prop management, tech., lighting, choreography, music direction, orchestra, or other theatrical disciplines let us know. Watching theater can be a great experience, but bringing shows to life on the stage or behind the scenes creates a sense of accomplishment. If you are interested in being a part of our team, please fill out our introduction form.

Doug Carey
Board of Directors / Repertory Committee Chair

2024 Theatricals & Auditions

Click each image for more information.

Past Theatricals

Cast images courtesy of www.WeberPhotographics.com

Annual Ritz Theater REP Awards

2022-2023

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR: Joshua Hernandez (as Elwood Dowd) in “Harvey”

Other Nominees: Mike Yebba (Kenickie) in “Grease,” Adam Cornett (Hercule Poirot) in “Murder on the Orient Express”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS: Sue Jordan (as Helen Hubbard) in “Murder on the Orient Express”

Other Nominees: Scarlett Baretto (Rizzo) in “Grease,” Sally Green (Veta Louise Simmons) in “Harvey”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR: Steve Gelovich (as Dr. Chumley) in “Harvey”

Other Nominees: Carter Wegman (Roger) in “Grease,” Connor Nichols (Hector McQueen) in “Murder on the Orient Express,” Troy Cox (Colonel Arbuthnot/Sam) in “Murder on the Orient Express,” Max Wadley (Wilson) in “Harvey”.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Carol Broderick (as Countess Andrenyi) in “Murder on the Orient Express”

Other Nominees: Ariah Todriff (as Jan) in “Grease.” Hadley Williams (as Greta Ohlsson) in T’Elay Forbes (as Myrtle Mae Simmons) in “Harvey.”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY a MALE SINGER: Adourin Owens (as Doody) in “Grease”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE SINGER: Scarlett Rose Wilson (as Sandy) in “Grease”

BEST SHOW FOR THE 22/23 SEASON:
“Murder on the Orient Express”

Director Doug Carey, Executive Producer Steve Nelson, Producer Teri Siciliano, Stage Manager Barb Kellar, Technical Director Matt Weber, Lighting & Sound Operations Cathy Weber & Ashley Williams, Set Design Sabrena Allen-Biron, Lead Set Construction Jamie Geltz, Costumes Chris Gagliardi & Carol Broderick.

JUNIOR REP AWARDS “Disney’s High School Musical Jr.”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A YOUNG ACTOR Preston Recker (as Chad)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A YOUNG ACTRESS Baylee Hart (as Ms. Darbus)

BEST PERFORMANCE YOUNG MALE SINGER Jeremiah Williams (as Troy)

BEST PERFORMANCE YOUNG FEMALE SINGER Julia Register (as Sharpay)

SPECIAL AWARDS “Grease”
Kip LeBlanc Best Performance by a Comedic Actor, Sue Jordan Best Performance by a Comedic Actress, Rayna Hirt Best Dancer, Raquel ‘Dirk’ Nigra “Committed to the Bit”

SPECIAL AWARDS “Murder on the Orient Express”
Bridget Friedman Best Scream, J. P. Royer Man Who Makes the Trains Run on Time, Roy Hamlin Customer Service Rep of the Year, Julie Harwick the Lifesaver Award

2021-2022 

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR: Adam Cornett (as Robert) in “Don’t Dress for Dinner”

Other Nominees – Zach Smith (Lucas Beineke) “Addams Family,” Tad Kincade (Pseudolus) “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Christian O’Brien (Bernard) “Don’t Dress for Dinner”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS: Rayna Hirt (as Morticia) in “Addams Family”
Other Nominees – Scarlett Baretto (Philia) “A Funny Thing H.O.T.W.T.T.F.,” Bridgette Batista (Suzette) “Don’t Dress for Dinner,” Emily Foster (Jacqueline) “Don’t Dress for Dinner”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR: Steve Gelovich (as George) in “Don’t Dress for Dinner”

Other Nominees – James Bordenkircher (Uncle Fester) “Addams Family,” J. Lawrence Kenny (Hysterium) “A Funny Thing H.O.T.W.T.T.F.”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Brandi Sharpe (as Grandmama) in “Addams Family”

Other Nominees – Hadley Williams (Suzanne) “Don’t Dress for Dinner”, Kori Andreoli Lusignan (Domina) “A Funny Thing H.O.T.W.T.T.F.”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE SINGER: Max Wadley (as Miles Gloriosus) in “A Funny Thing H.O.T.W.T.T.F.”

Other Nominees – Mike Yebba (Gomez) “Addams Family”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE SINGER: Noel Marie (as Alice Beineke) in “Addams Family”

Other Nominees – Kori Andreoli Lusignan (Domina) “A Funny Thing H.O.T.W.T.T.F.”

BEST SHOW FOR 21 / 22 SEASON:
in “Don’t Dress for Dinner”

Director Doug Carey, Exec. Producer Steve Nelson, Producer Teri Siciliano, Lighting & Sound Operators Jenny & Jared Congiardo, Set Designer Sabreena Allen-Biron, Lead Set Construction Jamie Geltz, Stage Manager Barb Kellar, Technical Director Matt Weber

JUNIOR REP AWARDS: “Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr.”

BEST PERFORMANCE by a YOUNG ACTRESS: Lexi Orser (as Ariel)

BEST PERFORMANCE by a YOUNG VOCALIST: Maddy Agosto (as Ursala)

SPECIAL AWARDS “Addams Family”
Layla Holtzapple (Cousin Itt Girl), Aaron Wood (Props Master Repairman), Lindsey Strembecki (Master Dance Teacher), Iris Johnson (Quick Change Coach with Fiery Energy)

SPECIAL AWARDS “Don’t Dress for Dinner”
Christian O’Brien (Richard Simmons Calisthenics Award), Bridgitte Batista (Cointreau Connoisseur Award), Emily Foster (Daring Dresser Award), Hadley Williams (Daring Dresser Award), Adam Cornett (Provocative Prevaricator Award)

SPECIAL AWARDS “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Dani Santisteven (Best Everything & the Kitchen Sink Actor), Kenny Hargett (Best Everything & the Kitchen Sink Actor), Brian Casey (Best Everything & the Kitchen Sink Actor), Chris Gagliardi (Miraculous Costuming Dream Team), Sarah Denise O’Quinn-Cates (Miraculous Costuming Dream Team)

SPECIAL AWARDS “Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.”

Emily Tupper as Sebastian (Best Young Character Performer), Livia Smith as the Chef (Best Young Traditional Performer), Ellie Silver as Max the Dog aka Running Mop (Best in Non-Traditional Role Player)

Ritz Theatrical Awards

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