Apple Awards
The desire to award the outstanding actors and back-stage members
with some remembrance for their achievements was the basic factor
behind the creation of the Golden Apple Award tradition. The idea
for the awards stems in the Red Apple Tradition of the Barrymore
Family. It was the custom of the family to send a red apple for
good luck to any member of the family who was opening a new play.
The original apples were small ceramic pieces coated with gold,
about the size of a thumbnail, made in Helene's Workshop in Orono,
Maine.
The following telegram was
received in regards to the Gold Apple Awards:
xBA0240B455
0, VYA379 NK PD== TDVY CHATSWORTH CALIFORNIA 29==
May 30, 1951 - 2:54 A.M.
Herschel Bricker
University of Maine Orono, Maine=
My Dear Mr. Bricker. My Thanks and my congratulations.
I consider it a great honor to have the Apple Tradition
carried on as you have done and I wish those who receive
the awards all the luck and success possible=
Lionel Barrymore=..
The first Gold Apple winners were Jeanette Pratt, David Haskell,
Joanne San Antonio, and Dwight Frye. A special gold apple award
went to Mrs. Edith MacCollum, a guest at the annual Spring
banquet, for having missed only two Masque Theatre productions in
twenty-seven years.
We are not sure what year the Apple Awards were first given out,
but it was at least as early as 1951. These days the Apple Awards
have their own ceremony at the end of each academic year hosted by
graduating Maine Masque members. In addition to plastic or ceramic
apples given for the more traditional awards, select students are
given Apple Sauce Awards for various unique categories made up by
the hosts.
May 2006 Apple Awards
Best Actress - Rebecca Bailey - Jesus
Christ Superstar
Best Actor - Dustin Sleight - American Buffalo
Best Supporting Actress - Anne Schmidt - Jesus Christ
Superstar
Best Supporting Actor - Jason Poisson - Jesus Christ
Superstar
Best Newcomer Performance - Matt Bessette
Best Newcomer Technical - Lydia Dawson
Best Prop Design - Michael Thayer and Jason Poisson -
Jesus Christ Superstar
Best Makeup Design - Annette Sohns - American Buffalo
and Boston Marriage
Best Lighting Design - Justin Elie - Spoon River
Best Ensemble - Jesus Christ Superstar
Best Stage Manager - Adam Thibodeau
Best Assistant Stage Manager - Abby Coulter
Best Kiss - Dominick Varney and Josh Schmersal - Jesus
Christ Superstar
Best Dialect Female - Lacey Martin - Blithe Spirit
Best Dialect Male - Dustin Sleight - American Buffalo
Best Villain - Matt Bessette and Anne Schmidt - Jesus
Christ Superstar
Outstanding Tech Senior - Adam Thibodeau - Stage Management
Outstanding Senior Performer Female - Lacey Martin
Outstanding Senior Performer Male - tie between Dustin
Sleight and Jason Poisson
Previous Apple Awards
May 2002
