Acting Irish International Theatre Festival

The Acting Irish International Theatre Festival (AIITF) is an annual festival of full-length Irish plays performed by Irish community theater companies from Canada, US and Ireland. The festival was started in 1994 and is performed in a different city each year.

1994 Festival; Winnipeg

The concept of the Acting Irish International Theater Festival (AIITF) was originated by three Irish community theater groups: the Tara Players of Winnipeg, Milwaukee Irish Arts, and Na Fianna Theatre of Minneapolis-St. Paul. These three groups held several invitational performances in each other's city between 1990–93,[1][2] and all three groups participated in the 1991 Milwaukee Irish Fest.[3] The Tara Players of Winnipeg participated in the Milwaukee Irish Fest in 1992 and 1993 as well, but because that festival was dedicated primarily to Irish music, the three groups co-founded the theater-only AIITF in 1994.[4] The first festival was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada March 10–13, 1994 and presented at the Tara Players' theater at the Irish Association of Manitoba.[5] One of the founders of the festival was Geoff White of the Tara Player of Ottawa.[6]

Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI The Poker Session Hugh Leonard
Ashling Productions Calgary, AB (a pair of one act plays)
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Remembrance Graham Reid
Na Fianna Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Translations Brian Friel

1995 Festival; Minneapolis

The 1995 AIITF was held March 9–11 at the Weyerhaeuser Auditorium in Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Five organizations participated, hosted by Na Fianna of Minneapolis-St. Paul.[7] The adjudicators were Mona Poehling, Dan Sullivan and Ethna McKiernan.

Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell Bernard Farrell
Ashling Productions Calgary, AB Dancing at Lughnasa Brian Friel
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Away Alone Janet Noble
Na Fianna Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Famine Tom Murphy
Lartigue Theatre Listowel, Ireland The Estuary and The Tentmaker Paddy Fitzgibbon

1996 Festival; Calgary

In 1996, the AIITF was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada May 15 to 19, 1996 at the Irish Cultural Center. The festival adjudicators were Christopher Foreman, Pat Benedict, and Dr. Richard Wall. Six groups participated:

Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI Moll John B. Keane
Ashling Productions Calgary, AB The Death of Humpty Dumpty Graham Reid
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Sea Horse Edward J. Moore
Stage Éireann Dramatic Society Vancouver, BC The Love of Cass McGuire Brian Friel
St. Albert Irish Society St. Albert, Alberta Time Was Hugh Leonard
Prince George Theatre Workshop Prince George, BC Someone to Watch Over Me Frank McGuiness

In addition to these formal festival productions, two "showcase" (non-adjudicated) productions were presented: Winners (from Lovers: Winners and Losers) by Brian Friel, presented by the Liffey Players of Calgary, and Bag Lady, by Frank McGuiness, presented by Patabesin Productions, Calgary.

1997 Festival; Milwaukee

In 1997, the AIITF was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 790 N. Van Buren St. May 14–17. Adjudicators for this festival were Milwaukee actress Laura Gordon; Christopher Foreman, former artistic director of the Northern Arts and Cultural Center in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada; and Ray Yeates, who was the youngest director in the history of Dublin's Abbey Theatre.[8]

Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI The Broken Jug John Banville
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Field John B. Keane
Na Fianna Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN John Bull's Other Island George Bernard Shaw
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Year of the Hiker John B. Keane
Irish Players of Prince George Prince George, BC The Bold Girls Rona Munro
John Fitzgerald Theatre New York, NY Away With a Sailor Brendan Loonam
Aisling Productions Calgary The Good Thing John B. Keane

The Best Production award in 1997 was presented to Tara Players of Winnipeg, for their production of The Field. Tadhg McMahon of the Tara Players was also presented with the Best Supporting Male award for his performance as Tadhg McCabe.

Note: The 2004 AIITF program lists the New York participant at the 1997 AIITF as the John Fitzgerald Theatre; the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article of May 14, 1997, lists the group as the Thomas Davis Players.

1998 Festival; Winnipeg

The AIITF in 1998 returned to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was held at the Gas Station Theatre May 13–16, 1998.[9] Groups from Toronto, Ottawa and Chicago joined the festival.

Productions
Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI Greatest Hits and Blood Guilty Seán O'Casey (Hits) and Antoine O'Flatharta (Guilty)
Ashling Productions Calgary, AB Women on the Verge of HRT Marie Jones
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Shadow of a Gunman Seán O'Casey
Na Fianna Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Faith Healer Brian Friel
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON Lovers - Winners and Losers Brian Friel
Tara Players of Ottawa Ottawa, ON Rat in the Skull Ron Hutchinson
Gaelic Park Players Chicago IL Paul Twining George Shiels

Awards in 1998
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production The Rat in the Skull Tara Players of Ottawa
Lead Male Eric O'Brien and Don Quiring The Rat in the Skull Tara Players of Ottawa
Lead Female (Information unavailable) Lovers-Winners and Losers Toronto Irish Players
Supporting Male Stephen Meehan The Shadow of a Gunman Tara Players
Supporting Female (Information unavailable) Lovers-Winners and Losers Toronto Irish Players

[10]

1999 Festival; Chicago

The Gaelic Park Players hosted the AIITF in Chicago, Illinois May 25–30, 1999.[11]

Productions in 1999
Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI The Country Boy John Murphy
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL Frugal Comforts Eamonn Kelly
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB 44 Sycamore Street Bernard Farrell
Na Fianna Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Rhapsody in Stephen's Green Flann O'Brien
Irish American Heritage Center Chicago, IL Monday Night in a Country Town Tom O'Brien
Tir Na Og Theatre Denver, CO Waiting for Godot Samuel Beckett
Tara Players of Ottawa Ottawa, ON A Little Like Paradise Niall Williams
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON Drama at Inish Lennox Robinson
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Chastitute John B. Keane

Awards in 1999
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Frugal Comforts Innisfree Theatre
Lead Male Tony Cohen Estragon Waiting for Godot Tír Na Nóg Theatre
Lead Female Amy Flynn Julia The Country Boy Milwaukee Irish Arts
Supporting Male Teige Reid Eddie Twohig Drama at Inish Toronto Irish Players
Supporting Female Vera Kelly Eva Kishock The Chastitute Gaelic Park Players

2000 Festival; Toronto

The Toronto Irish Players, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, hosted the AIITF in 2000. The festival included the North American debt of The Wheeping of Angles by Joseph O'Connor, brother of Sinéad O'Connor.[12]

2000 Productions
Company City Production Author
Tir Na Og Theatre Denver, CO (information unavailable)
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL (information unavailable)
Tara Players of Ottawa Ottawa, MB The Broken Jug John Banville
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL Thy Will Be Done Michael Carey
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Weeping of Angels Joseph O'Connor
Ashling Productions Calgary, AB Frugal Comforts Eamonn Kelly
Na Fianna Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Bailegangaire Tom Murphy
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON The Steward of Christendom Sebastian Barry
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI The Au Pair Man Hugh Leonard

2000 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Frugal Comforts Aisling Productions
Lead Male Martin Kelly Frugal Comforts Aisling Productions
Lead Female Tena May Gallivan Mary Bailegangaire Na Fianna Irish Theatre
Supporting Male Kenny McCullagh Frugal Comforts Aisling Productions
Supporting Female Vera Kelly Bridie Thy Will Be Done Gaelic Park Players
Adjudicator's Award Deirdre Halferty Directing

[13]

2001 Festival; Denver

In 2001, the AIITF was held in Denver, Colorado, USA, at the Courtyard Theatre, Auraria Campus, the University of Colorado Denver, on May 15–19, 2001.[14][15] The festival was hosted by Tir Na nOg, whose name mean in Irish (Gaelic) "everlasting youth".[16] A special performance by PHAMALy (Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League), as guests artists, was also presented at this festival.

Company City Production Author
Tir Na Og Theatre Denver, CO Iph ... Colin Teevan
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL The Cripple of Innishmaan Martin McDonagh
Tara Players of Ottawa Ottawa, ON The Poker Session Hugh Leonard
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Course[17] Brendan O'Carroll
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Brothers of the Brush Jimmy Murphy
Ashling Prolductions Calgary, AB Beauty Queen of Leenane Martin McDonagh
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON Happy Birthday Dear Alice Bernard Farrell
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI The Cavalcaders[18] Billy Roche

The Best Production award in 2001 was presented to Innisfree Irish Theatre for their production of The Cripple of Innishmaan, by Martin McDonagh. Sean Mac Donnchadha, of Innisfree Irish Theatre, received the acting award for Best Lead Male Actor as JohnnyPateenMike in The Cripple of Innishmaan

2002 Festival; Ottawa

The AIITF was held in the Capital of Canada, Ottawa, in 2002.

Company City Production Author
Shapeshifters Theatre Chicago, IL "Sacrilege" 
  Diane Shaffer
Tir Na Og Theatre Denver, CO "Paddywack" 
   Daniel Magee
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL "Moonshine" 
   Jim Nolan
Tara Players of Ottawa Ottawa, ON Sive John B. Keane
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Salvage Shop Jim Nolan
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Our Lady of Sligo[19] Sebastian Barry
Aisling Productions Calgary, AB "The Lonesome West" 
   Martin McDonagh
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI Molly Sweeney Brian Friel
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON "Da" 
   Hugh Leonard

The Best Production award was presented to the Toronto Irish Players for their production of Da by Hugh Leonard

2003 Festival; Florida

Innishfree Irish Theatre hosted the 2003 AIITF at The Crest Theatre, Del Ray Beach, Florida, May 11–17, 2003. The 2003 Festival also featured, for the first time, three groups invited from Ireland.[20] This festival featured the first North American production of Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman, and Paddy. . .? by Declan Croghan.[21]

Company City Production Author
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester, NY Someone Who'll Watch Over Me Frank McGuinness
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL Happy Birthday, Dear Alice Bernard Farrell
Tara Players of Ottawa Ottawa, ON Bold Girls Rona Munro
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milawukee, WI The Weir Conor McPherson
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman, and Paddy. . .? Declan Croghan
Ashling Productions Calgary, AB Belfry Billy Roche
Toronto Irish Player Toronto, ON The Mai Marina Carr
Shapeshifters Theatre Chicago, IL Dancing at Lughnasa Brian Friel
The Hewlett-Packard Players Kildare, Ireland 44 Sycamore Street Bernard Farrell
Dundalk Theatre Workshop Dundalk, Ireland Port Authority Conor McPherson
The Balally Players Dublin, Ireland The Country Boy John Murphy

The Best Production award was presented to the Tara Players of Winnipeg for their production of Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman, and Paddy. . .? James Bowman won the award for Best Actor in the same production[22] The Irish Players of Rochester, an invitational group at this, their first festival, were awarded "Best Invitational Production" for Someone Who'll Watch Over Me.

2004 Festival; Winnipeg

The 2004 AIITF returned to Winnipeg for the third time, hosted by the Tara Players at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, May 20–22, 2004.[23]

2004 Productions
Company City Production Author
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester, NY Waiting for Godot Samuel Beckett
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL Elipsed Patricia Burke Brogan
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Juno and the Paycock Seán O'Casey
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON The Cripple of Inishmaan Martin McDonagh
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL Anyone Could Rob a Bank Thomas Coffey

The scheduled performance of the Gaelic Park Players was canceled due to weather problems.

2004 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Waiting for Godot Irish Players of Rochester
Lead Male Kevin O'Shea JohnnyPateenMike The Cripple of Inishmaan Toronto Irish Players
Lead Female Barnara Taylor & Cliona Kenny Kate & Eileen The Cripple of Inishmaan Toronto Irish Players
Supporting Male Ken Bordner Pozzo Waiting for Godot Irish Players of Rochester
Supporting Female Lori Dolan Bridget Eclipsed Innisfree Irish Theatre
Adjudicator's Award The Cast Ensemble performance Eclipsed Innisfree Irish Theatre

2005 Festival; Chicago

The AIITF returned to Chicago in 2005, hosted by Gaelic Park Players at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., May 18–21, 2005.[24]

2005 Productions
Company City Production Author
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester, NY The Kings of the Kilburn High Road Jimmy Murphy
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL Abie's Irish Rose Anne Nichols
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB I do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell Bernard Farrell
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON Tea in a China Cup Christina Reid
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Country Boy John Murphy
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI O Parnassus Hugh Carr
Shapeshifters Theatre Chicago, IL A Mislaid Heaven Carson Grace Becker

2005 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production A Mislaid Heaven Shapeshifters Theatre[25]
Lead Male John Jaeger Jap The Kings of the Kilburn High Road Irish Players of Rochester
Lead Female Katie Cheely Ruth A Mislaid Heaven Shapeshifters Theatre
Supporting Male Sidney Gray Paddy I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell The Tara Players
Supporting Female Amy Kull Arlene O Parnassus Milwaukee Irish Arts
Adjudicator's Award Anastasia O'Brien Susy I Do Not Like Thee, Dr. Fell The Tara Players

2006 Festival; Toronto

The 2006 AIITF was hosted by the Toronto Irish Players at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts May 30 to June 3. The festival was hosted by the thirty-year-old Toronto Irish Players, which performed The Plough and the Stars by Seán O'Casey, featuring nine transplanted Dubliners in the cast.[26]

2006 Productions
Company City Production Author
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester, NY Dancing at Lughnasa Brian Friel
Innishfree Irish Theatre Boca Raton, FL The Shaughraun Dion Boucicault
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Poor Beast in the Rain Billy Roche
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON The Plough and the Stars Seán O'Casey
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Able Dealer J. B. MacCarthy
Milwaukee Irish Arts[27] Milwaukee, WI An Irish Play Dan O'Brien
Shapeshifters Theatre Chicago, IL Sea Marks Gardner McKay
Estuary Players Dublin, Ireland The Beauty Queen of Leenane Martin McDonagh

2006 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production An Irish Play Milwaukee Irish Arts[28]
Lead Male Keith Tamsett Declan An Irish Play Milwaukee Irish Arts
Lead Female Jackie Murphy and Grainne Jordan (shared) The Beauty Queen of Leenane Estuary Players
Supporting Male Robert Wall Stephen Poor Beast in the Rain The Tara Players
Supporting Female Crystal Marie Taylor Rose Dancing at Lughnasa Irish Players of Rochester
Adjudicator's Award The Shaughraun Innisfree Irish Theatre

2007 Festival; Milwaukee

Milwaukee Irish Arts hosted the 2007 AIITF at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, May 15 to 20.

2007 Productions

Note: Starting with this festival, Innisfree Irish Theatre changed its name to the Irish Theatre of Florida.

Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI From These Green Heights Dermot Bolger
The Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Spirit of Annie Ross Bernard Farrell
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL Getting Buried Peter Cunningham
Irish Theatre of Florida Boca Raton, FL Lovers: Losers and Winners Brian Friel
Holding Court Theatre Doublin, Ireland Summer Hugh Leonard
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester NY Faith Healer Brian Friel
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON At The Black Pig's Dyke Vincent Woods

2007 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production At The Black Pig's Dyke Toronto Irish Players
Lead Male David Kyle Teddy Faith Healer Irish Players of Rochester
Lead Female Lucy Carabine Miss Funny At the Black Pig's Dyke Toronto Irish Players
Supporting Male Gerry Herbert Richard Halvey Summer Holding Court Theatre
Supporting Female Jane Testar Ashling The Spirit of Annie Ross Tara Players
Adjudicator's Award Getting Buried Gaelic Park Players

Special Adjudicator Award: Gaelic Park Players "For a very entertaining, if completely insane, romp through the upper regions of Irish lunacy, confirming the old showbiz adage of 'leave them laughing when you go.'"

Honourable Mention: Costume Design for Holding Court Theatre for their production of Summer by Hugh Leonard and also for Toronto Irish Players for their production of At the Black Pig's Dyke by Vincent Woods.

In addition to the seven adjudicated productions, the 2007 Festival included two special presentations: Townlands, by Dermot Bolger; a reading presented by the students of the Theater Department of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Sneak preview of Walking the Road, also by Dermot Bolger. This play about Francis Ledwidge, a young Irish poet who lost his life in Flanders fields in 1917, while serving with the British army in World War I, had its world premiere at Axis Arts Center in Dublin June 9, 2007.

2008 Festival; Rochester

The Irish Players of Rochester, a program of the Rochester Community Players, hosted the 2008 AIITF at the Geva Theatre Center's NextStage Theatre May 13 to 17.[29] The festival included two long one-act plays by the young Dublin playwright, Conor McPherson

2008 Productions
Company City Production Author
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester NY The Hostage Brendan Behan
Irish Players of San Francisco San Francisco CA The Perfect Romance Nicky O'Brien
Irish Theatre of Florida Boca Raton, FL On Raglan Road Tom O'Brien
Irish-American Theater Company Cincinnati, OH A Little Like Paradise Niall Williams
Holding Court Theatre Dublin, Ireland Happy Birthday Dear Alice Bernard Farrell
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Dublin Carol Conor McPherson
Liffey Players Calgary, AB Shining City Conor McPherson
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI The Blowin of Baile Gall Ronan Noone
Shapeshifters Theatre Chicago, IL Knocknashee Deirdre Kinahan
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON The Muesli Belt Jimmy Murphy

2008 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Happy Birthday Dear Alice Holding Court Theatre
Lead Male Robert Wall John Plunkett Dublin Carol Tara Players
Lead Female Grace Perry Alice Happy Birthday Dear Alice Holding Court Theatre
Supporting Male Danny Sullivan Mossy Plunkett The Muesli Belt Toronto Irish Players
Supporting Female Kathryn Waters Neasa Shining City Liffey Players of Calgary
Adjudicator's Award The cast Ensemble Acting The Hostage Irish Players of Rochester

2009 Festival; Winnipeg

For the fourth time, the Tara Players of Winnipeg hosted the AIITF, in May 2009.[30][31]

2009 Productions
Company City Production Author
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON A Skull in Connemara Martin McDonagh
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester NY Love in the Title Hugh Leonard
Shapeshifters Theatre[32] Chicago, IL Someone Who'll Watch Over Me Frank McGuinness,
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL Attaboy, Mr. Synge Deirdre Kinahan
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Patrick Pearce Motel Hugh Leonard
Holding Court Theatre Dublin, Ireland Salute The Servant Walter Macken
Liffey Players Calgary, AB The Weir Conor McPherson
Irish Theatre of Florida Boca Raton, FL On Raglan Road Tom O'Brien

2009 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production A Skull in Connemara Toronto Irish Players
Lead Male Stephen Farrell Mairtin Hanlon A Skull in Connemara Toronto Irish Players production of
Lead Female Lorelei Mellon Cat Love in the Title Irish Players of Rochester
Supporting Male Jonathan Musser Adam Someone Who'll Watch Over Me Shapeshifters Theatre
Supporting Female Neasa McCann Kitty Salute The Servant Holding Court Theatre
Adjudicator's Award Salute the Servant Holding Court Theatre

2010 Festival; Chicago

The 2010 AIITF was held May 17 to 22, 2010 at the Irish-American Heritage Center, 4626 North Knox Avenue, Chicago.[33]

2010 Productions

(in order or presentation)

Company City Production Author
Shapeshifters Theatre Chicago, IL And Neither Have I Wings to Fly Ann Noble
Estuary Players Dublin, Ireland There Came a Gypsy Riding Frank McGuinness
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Patrick Pearse Motel Hugh Leonard
The Irish American Theatre Company Cincinnati, OH Moll John B. Keane
Liffey Players Drama Society Calgary, AB Portia Coughlan Marina Carr
Heads on Stage (formally part of Holding Court Theatre) Dublin, Ireland The Passion of Jerome Dermot Bolger
Irish Theatre of Florida South Florida Close to Home Pat Clark
Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) Rochester, NY The Cripple of Inishmaan Martin McDonagh
Toronto Irish Players Toronto, ON The Factory Girls Frank McGuinness

[34]

2010 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production The Passion of Jerome Heads on Stage, Dublin
Lead Male
Lead Female Barbara Kenny 
  as Moll, Irish American Theater Company Cincinnati
Supporting Male
Supporting Female
Adjudicator's Award

2011 Festival; Calgary

The Liffey Players Drama Society of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, hosted[35] the 2011 Festival at the Vertigo Theatre at the base of the Calgary Tower, from May 16–21, 2011.

2011 Productions
Company City Production Author
Liffey Players Drama Society Calgary, AB The Seafarer Conor McPherson
Estuary Players Dublin, Ireland Same Old Moon Geraldine Aaron
An Amharclann Saint John, NB Pride of Parnell Street Sebastian Barry
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL The Castlecomer Jukebox Jimmy Murphy
Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) Rochester, NY Dublin Carol Conor McPherson
The Irish American Theatre Company Cincinnati, OH What Happened Bridgie Cleary? Conor McPherson
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Midden Morna Regan
Heads on Stage Dublin, Ireland Stolen Child Yvonne Quinn/Bairbre Ni Chaoimh

2011 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Dublin Carol The Irish Players of Rochester
Lead Male John Jaeger John Dublin Carol The Irish Players of Rochester
Lead Female Kaitlyn Groh Bridgie Cleary What Happened Bridgie Cleary? The Irish American Theatre Company, Cincinnati
Supporting Male Jamal Abdunnasir Mark Dublin Carol The Irish Players of Rochester
Supporting Female Anastasia O'Brien Mabs Midden Tara Players, Winnipeg
Adjudicator's Award The Cast Ensemble Acting Same Old Moon Estuary Players, Dublin

[36]

2012 Festival; Dublin

The Axis-Ballymun Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, hosted the 2012 Festival from May 14–19, 2012.

2012 Productions
Company City Production Author
Heads on Stage Dublin, Ireland The Loves of Cass Maguire Brian Friel
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI White Woman Street Sebastian Barry
Liffey Players Drama Society Calgary, AB Someone Who'll Watch Over Me Frank McGuinness
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Muesli Belt Jimmy Murphy
Irish American Theater Company Cincinnati, OH A Couple of Blaguards Frank McCourt & Malachy McCourt
The Irish Players of Rochester Rochester, NY A Moon for the Misbegotten Eugene O'Neill

2012 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Someone Who'll Watch Over Me Liffey Players Drama Society, Calgary
Lead Male Bruce Mitchell Adam Someone Who'll Watch Over Me Liffey Players Drama Society, Calgary
Lead Female Stephanie Roosa[37] Josie A Moon for the Misbegotten The Irish Players of Rochester
Supporting Male Fred Diggins James Miranda White Woman Street Milwaukee Irish Arts
Supporting Female Neasa McCann Trilbe Costello The Loves of Cass Maguire Heads on Stage, Dublin
Adjudicator's Award Bernard Farrelly Spirit of the Festival Award Gaelic Park Players, Chicago

2013 Festival; Chicago

The Festival was hosted by Chicago's Gaelic Park Players from May 21–25, 2013. The festival took place at Chicago's Gaelic Park, 6119 West 147th Street; Oak Forest, Illinois. The adjudicator for the festival was Brad Armacost. Attending the Awards Ceremony on May 26 was Aidan Cronin, Counsel General of Ireland, Chicago, Illinois.[38]

2013 Productions

(in order of presentation)

Company City Production Author
The Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL A Wake in the West Michael Joe Ginnelly
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB Doubt: A Parable John Patrick Shanley
Heads on Stage Dublin, Ireland Molly Sweeney Brian Friel
The Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) Rochester, NY Is Life Worth Living? (aka Drama at Inish) Lennox Robinson
Irish American Theater Company Cincinnati, OH Dancing at Lughnasa Brian Friel
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI Eclipsed Patricia Burke Brogan
Irish Theatre of Florida South Florida Here We Are Again Still Christian O'Reilly
Liffey Players Drama Society Calgary, AB The Beauty Queen of Leenane Martin McDonagh

[38]

2013 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Eclipsed Milwaukee Irish Arts
Lead Male Jack Kirwan Paddy Here We Are Again Still Irish Theatre of Florida
Lead Female Sandy Lucas Mag The Beauty Queen of Leenane Liffey Players Drama Society
Supporting Male Greg Ludek Hector Is Life Worth Living? The Irish Players of Rochester
Supporting Female Kate McNally Rose A Wake in the West The Gaelic Park Players
Adjudicator's Award For Excellence in Performance, Hospitality and Professionalism The Gaelic Park Players

[39]

Finalists for awards in 2013:

Best production: Doubt, a Parable; Eclipsed; Here We Are Again, Still; Beauty Queen of Leeane

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Robert Wall (Doubt, a Parable); Ken Moroney (Molly Sweeney); Robie Saxon (Molly Sweeney); Jack Kirwan (Here We Are Again, Still)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Carol McQuarrie (Doubt, a Parable); Neasa McCann (Molly Sweeney); Imelda Wellington (Here We Are Again, Still); Sandy Lucas (Beauty Queen of Leeane)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Greg Ludek (Is Life Worth Living?); Mick McEvilley (Dancing at Lughnasa); Luke Hurt (Here We are Again, Still); Dorin McIntosh (Beauty Queen of Leanne)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Kate McNally (A Wake in the West); Kathy Dauer (Is Life Worth Living?); Megan Andres (Doubt, a Parable); The entire cast of Eclipsed

2014 Festival; Delray Beach, Florida

The Festival was hosted by the Irish Theatre of Florida from May 20–25, 2014. The festival took place at the Artns Garage, 180 NE 1st Street, Delray Beach.[40] The adjudicator for the festival was John Countryman, Director of Theatre at Berry College in Georgia.

2014 Productions

(in order of presentation)

Company City Production Author
Irish Theatre of Florida Delray Beach, FL The Irish Dracula James Doan
The Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) Rochester, NY Shining City Conor McPherson
Gaelic Park Players Chicago IL The Butterfly of Killybegs Brian Foster
Heads on Stage Dublin, Ireland Brighton Jim Nolan
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Housekeeper Morna Regan
Liffey Players Drama Society Calgary, AB Stones in his Pocket Marie Jones
Irish American Theater Company Cincinnati, OH Tho' It Were Ten Thousand Miles William H. A. Williams
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI These Halcyon Days Dierdre Kinahan

[41]

2014 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production These Halcyon Days Milwaukee Irish Arts
Lead Male Eamonn O'Neill Sean These Halcyon Days Milwaukee Irish Arts
Lead Female Vera Kelly Mary Conlon The Butterfly of Killybegs Gaelic Park Players
Supporting Male Bill Alden John Shining City The Irish Players of Rochester
Supporting Female Annya Bright ()(Florida) Mina Murray The Irish Dracula Irish Theatre of Florida
Adjudicator's Award For Best New Play Tho' It Were Ten Thousand Miles: A Love Story (Cincinnati)

[42]

Nominees for awards:

Best production: Shining City' (Rochester); These Halcyon Days (Milwaukee); 'Brighton (Dublin)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Eamonn O'Neill (Sean) These Halcyon Days; Jerod Blake (Jake Quinn and other characters) Stones in his Pocket; Bernard Boland (Hal) The Housekeeper

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Neasa McCann (Lilly) Brighton; Joan End (Patricia) These Halcyon Days; Vera Kelly (Mary Conlon) The Butterfly of Killybegs

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Cathal Moroney (Dave) Brighton; Bill Alden (John) Shining City; Toby Barton (Tadhg) The Irish Dracula

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Cecilia Walsh (Lucilla Desmond) The Irish Dracula; Annya Bright (Mina Murray) The Irish Dracula; Carol McQuarrie (Beth) The House Keeper

2015 Festival; Cincinnati, Ohio

The Festival was hosted by the Irish American Theater Company from May 19–24, 2015. The festival took place at the Irish Heritage Center, 3905 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati, .[43] The adjudicator for the festival was George Heslin, Artistic Director of Origin Theatre Company, NY.

2015 Productions

(in order of presentation)

Company City Production Author
Irish American Theater Company Cincinnati, Ohio The Calvacaders Billy Roche
The Irish Players of Rochester (Rochester Community Players) Rochester, NY "The Field" John B. Keane
Gaelic Park Players Chicago IL The Maiden Aunt Jimmy Keary
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The New Electric Ballroom Enda Walsh
Liffey Players Drama Society Calgary, AB Sea Marks Gardner McKay
Irish Theatre of Florida Delray Beach, FL The Chastitute" John B. Keane
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI Moment Dierdre Kinahan

[43]

2015 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production The New Electric Ballroom Winnipeg Tara Players
Lead Male
Lead Female Lindsey Gagliano Niamh Lynch Moment Milwaukee Irish Arts
Supporting Male Nate Press Nial Lynch Moment Milwaukee Irish Arts
Supporting Female
Adjudicator's Award

Nominees for awards:

2016 Festival; Milwaukee

The Festival was hosted by Milwaukee Irish Arts from May 24–28, 2016. The festival took place at Next Act Theatre, 255 S Water Street, Milwaukee, WI. The adjudicators for the festival were .

2016 Productions

(in order of presentation)

Company City Production Author
Milwaukee Irish Arts Milwaukee, WI The Plough and the Stars Sean O'Casey
Magpie Theatre Company (Guest Performers) Chicago, IL The Cheek Jim Lynch
Liffey Players Drama Society Calgary, AB Eden Eugene O'Brien
Heads on Stage Dublin, Ireland Chapatti Christian O'Reilly
Gaelic Park Players Chicago, IL Shadow of a Gunman Sean O'Casey
Irish Players of Rochester Rochester, NY The Seafarer Conor McPherson
Irish Theatre of Florida Delray Beach, FL Fooked Gillian Grattan
Irish American Theatre Company Cincinnati, OH The Weir Conor McPherson
Tara Players Winnipeg, MB The Last Days of Cleopatra Laoisa Sexton

2016 Awards
Award Actor Role Play Company
Best Production Eden Liffey Players Drama Society
Lead Male Jerod Blake Billy Eden Liffey Players Drama Society
Lead Female Peggy Hamilton Natalie The Last Days of Cleopatra Tara Players
Supporting Male Mark John Donahue Mr Lockhart The Seafarer The Irish Players of Rochester
Supporting Female Marssie Mencotti The Cheek Magpie Theatre Company
Adjudicator's Award For generating the greatest jolt of audience energy in the room The Irish Players of Rochester

[44]

Finalists for awards in 2016:

Best production: Eden; The Seafarer; The Last Days of Cleopatra

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jerod Blake (Eden); Denis Holmes (Hooked); Quinn Greene (Last Days of Cleopatra)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Katelyn Morishita (Eden); Neasa McCann (Chapatti); Peggy Hamilton (Last Days of Cleopatra)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Dylan Bolan (The Plough and the Stars); Mark John Donahue (The Seafarer); Mick McEvilley (The Weir)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Liz Shipe (The Plough and the Stars); Marssie Mencotti (The Cheek); Bridget Christianson (Shadow of a Gunman)

References
  1. AIITF program 2004
  2. ST. Paul, Minnesota, Pioneer Press March 15, 1989, pg. 1NE: "The initial productions (of Na Fianna) were Thirst, a comedy by Flann O'Brien, and Riders to the Sea, a tragedy by John M. Synge, staged together . . . in St. Paul in March 1988. The 20-member group then performed a series of one-act plays at the Milwaukee Irish Fest, the Irish Association of Manitoba at Winnipeg and at Feis Cheoil, an Irish celebration in Highland Park in St. Paul last summer."
  3. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 9, 1991
  4. Winnipeg Free Press, May 2, 2001, page W5
  5. Winnipeg Free Press, March 9, 1994, pg. C8
  6. The Ottawa Citizen, March 4, 2006, pg. F3
  7. Minneapolis Star Tribune, March 5, 1995, pg 4F
  8. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 14, 1997: "Irish plays are in the footlights for 4 days:
  9. Winnipeg Free Press May 10, 1998, pg. D1
  10. Winnipeg Free Press May 19, 1998, pg. D7
  11. - Gaelic Park Players Website
  12. Winnipeg Free Press March 24, 2000, p. D9
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2010-04-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "article May 10, 2001". Westword.com. 1969-12-31. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  15. The Denver Post, May 14, 2001, pg F3, "Acting Irish in Denver Theater companies gather for festival"
  16. Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO) May 12, 2001, pg. 8E, "Denver Gets its Irish up - at Ninth Theater Festival"
  17. "Irish plays by Irish Authors from". Gaelic Park Players. 2001-05-18. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  18. "Milwaukee Irish Arts". Gaelicweb.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  19. Winnipeg Free Press, April 18, 2002, pg C8
  20. "Boca Raton / Delray Beach News, May 3, 2003, pg. 6E". News.google.com. 2003-05-09. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  21. Winnipeg Free Press, April 24, 2003, pg. D6
  22. Winnipeg Free Press, June 1, 2003, pg. D4
  23. Winnipeg Free Press May 20, 2004, pg. D1
  24. The Daily Southtown, Chicago IL, May 13, 2005, "Theater Festival Celebrates Irish Heritage"
  25. "Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago IL, Shapeshifters Theatre Company page". Irish-american.org. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  26. The National Post (of Canada), Oct. 15, 2005, pg. T4
  27. "Milwaukee Irish Arts website". .uwm.edu. 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  28. "May 28, 2006". Onmilwaukee.com. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  29. Rochester Democrat & Chronicle; May 13, 2008; pg C1
  30. "Irish American News June 1, 2009". Irishamericannews.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  31. "Irish Association of Manitoba website; posted May 8, 2009". Irishassociation.ca. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  32. "Irish American News May 4, 2009". Irishamericannews.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  33. "Irish American Heritage Center; Chicago IL, Website". Irish-american.org. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  34. 2010 AIITF Program
  35. "Calgary Sun Article". 2011-05-14. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
  36. "Calgary Sun Article". 2011-05-23. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
  37. "Rochester Arts Blog". 2012-05-23. Archived from the original on 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  38. 2013 AIITF program
  39. Notes of Adjudicator Brad Armacost
  40. Southflorida.com (SunSentinel) article by Rod Stafford Hagwood, May 20, 2014
  41. 2014 AIITF program
  42. Notes of Adjudicator John Countryman
  43. http://www.irishcenterofcincinnati.com/docs/aiitf-2015-poster.pdf
  44. actingirish.com
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