Wet gets nominated for three Jessie Awards!

I’m really proud of the team at Itsazoo for nabbing three Jessie Award nominations for last season’s production of Wet. The nominations are indicative of this incredible team and include one for Outstanding Production – Play – Small Theatre.

The entire production team behind Wet on its Jessie nominated set. Set design: Jennifer Stewart. Photo: Matt Reznek

Genevieve Fleming, who played Burns, got a so-deserved nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role – Small Theatre. Burns is perhaps a cruel part for an actor, and I had many sleepless nights over whether or not the unrelenting pace, silences, and long monologues in Wet ask too much of actors. Genevieve gave so much to this role, and I will spend the remainder of my theatre career trying to work with her again. I’m indebted to her, Matthew McDonald-Bain who played Sweetie, Praneet Akilla who played Tom, and director Chelsea Haberlin for allowing me to, after ten plus years, psychologically move on from Wet.

Genevieve Fleming as Burns. Photo: Matt Reznek

I am also so happy that Jennifer Stewart’s set design was acknowledged! Setting was a character in Wet, and Jennifer designed the stark army barracks and claustrophobic Chilliwack basement apartment where the play’s action takes place. Jennifer is nominated for Outstanding Set Design – Small Theatre and when people talk to me about the show, even a year later, they still comment on her haunting design, that feeling that we were trapped in the army barracks and the basement with the characters (which technically, audiences were!).

Jennifer Stewart’s Chilliwack basement apartment with Matthew MacDonlad-Bain, Genevieve Fleming, and Praneet Akilla. Photo: Matt Reznek

The award ceremony takes place in July 15 in Vancouver. Not that it’s about the awards.