Host Dave Kelly helped livened up the 11th annual Betty Mitchell Awards, held August 25, with a riff on his role earlier this year as the Stage Manager in Theatre Calgary's production of Our Town.

The Betty Mitchell Awards are given out each year to members of the professional theatre community. This year’s event, held August 25, saw awards presented in nearly 20 categories, with Kelly providing humourous descriptions of theatre companies and personalities around town. But, aas per usual, the ceremony was bogged down by the “thank you” speeches, in part due to the number of ties that took place.

Joyce Doolittle (Vigil) and Kate Newby (August, An Afternoon in the Country) shared the award for “Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role,” and the award for “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” was shared three ways: Tyrell Crews (Our Town), Grant Reddick (Half Life) and Christopher Austman (The Wars).

Alberta Theatre Projects' The Drowning Girls walked away with three awards, including “Outstanding New Play,” “Outstanding Direction,” and “Outstanding Production of a Play.”

“Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama” went to Shawna Burnett for her role in Sage Theatre’s Lion in the Streets, beating out Elinor Holt (Helen’s Necklace) and Adrienne Smook (My Name is Rachel Corrie). “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama” went to Curt McKinstry for his role in ATP’s Rabbit Hole.

The award for “Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical” went to opera star Tracy Dahl for her role in Calgary Opera's Rigoletto, and Geoffrey Ewert picked up the award for “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical” for his role in Sage Theatre’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch. (That production also received the "Fast Forward Weekly Readers’ Choice Award.”)

Lunchbox Theatre’s With a Twist received three technical awards, including one for “Outstanding Production of a Musical,” which it shared with Vertigo Theatre’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Despite several nominations, Theatre Calgary’s Beauty and the Beast did not receive any awards. “Outstanding Costume Design” went to Deneen McArthur for The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

For the complete list of winners, visit www.bettymitchellawards.com.