TheatreFest 2024 was a smashing success! We are pleased to share the award recipients of our 87th annual full-length play festival:

Stan Danbrook Memorial Technical Merit Award: Yorkton Paper Bag Players (Agnes of God by John Pielmeier)

Best Visual Presentation: Battlefords Community Players (An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley)

Margaret Corbett Aspirant Award: Lorana McComber, Melfort Amateur Dramatics Inc. (Here on the Flight Path by Norm Foster) Honorable mention to Nolan Fehr, Odyssey Productions (Dogbarked by James O'Shea)

Mary Ellen Burgess Trophy for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role: Bailey Lemcke as Agnes in Agnes of God by John Pielmeier (Yorkton Paper Bag Players)

Walters Trophy for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role: Lynn Wagner, Last Mountain Theatre Company (The Tin Woman by Sean Grennan)

Woodward Trophy for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role: Jenn Gritzfeld, Last Mountain Theatre Company (The Tin Woman by Sean Grennan)

S.J. Safian Trophy for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role: Rick Kostiuk, Cochin Community Players (Looking by Norm Foster)

McIntyre Trophy for Excellence in Characterization: Chris Wagner, Last Mountain Theatre Company (The Tin Woman by Sean Grennan)

Verna Alonza Trophy for Best Stage Manager: Ivy Sheward with Moose Jaw Community Players (Spirit Control by Beau Willimon)

Hilda Allen Memorial Trophy for Runner Up to Best Director: Pam Willerton with Yorkton Paper Bag Players (Agnes of God by John Pielmeier)

Goodfellow Trophy for Best Director: Lorne Gottselig with Last Mountain Theatre Company (The Tin Woman by Sean Grennan)

Dorothy Leibel Runner-up to Winning Entry: Yorkton Paper Bag Players (Agnes of God by John Pielmeier)

McIntosh Memorial Cup—Winning Entry: Last Mountain Theatre Company (The Tin Woman by Sean Grennan)

Since joining Yorkton’s Paper Bag Players in 2004, Pam has been immersed in the world of theater, initially cast as "Betsy" in "And the Winner is" by Shauna Meek for that year's dinner theatre production. Since then, she’s been an active participant, both on and off the stage, and has also served as a board member.

For her, the magic of theater lies in connecting with the audience, guiding them through the story and emotions of the characters she portrays. Among her most cherished roles are "Holly" in Norm Foster's "Kiss the Moon Kiss the Sun" (Theatrefest - earning an honorable mention in acting), "Gwendolyn" in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," and "Sis" in Jeanne Michels & Phyllis Murphy's "Queen of Bingo" (TheatreOne - receiving an Acting Award).

Pam has enjoyed diving into challenging characters such as "Bessie" in "The Drowning Girls" by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, and Daniela Vlaskalic, and "Erika" in Annie Weisman's "Hold Please" (Theatrefest – also honored with an Acting Award). While portraying "Thelma" in both "Farndale Avenue A Christmas Carol" and "Farndale Avenue Townswomens Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery" by David McGillvray & Walter Zelin Jr was equally rewarding. Most recently, she embraced the role of "The Queen/Witch of Narnia" in Joseph Robinette & CS Lewis's "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe."

Pam’s involvement with Paper Bag Players has extended beyond performances to engaging in community events, participating in fundraisers, and volunteering at various occasions. Among her favorite involvements is the annual Yorkton Film Festival, where she and fellow Paper Bag Players employ their improv skills on the red carpet, embodying "paparazzi" to welcome filmmakers and dignitaries to the Golden Sheaf Awards ceremony.

Throughout her journey, she has been fortunate to partake in Theatre Saskatchewan’s festivals, apprenticeship programs, adjudications, and workshops. These experiences have been instrumental in her growth as an actor, continuously infusing her character developments and directing endeavors with fresh perspectives. She also credits much of her growth to Carrie Pengilly of Free My Muse Theatre, whose guidance through workshops, improv, and tailor-made monologues has pushed her beyond her comfort zone, refining her acting skills.

Within Paper Bag Players, Pam’s roles have expanded to include various positions on the board such as President, Vice President, PR, and currently, as the TSI rep. She has also taken charge of chairing the last two successful TheatreOne festivals hosted by PBP – "Life's a Stage" in 2018 and the recent "A Theatrical Battle Royale" in May 2023. Collaborating closely with PBP’s festival committee and Theatre Saskatchewan’s executive director, she’s played a pivotal role in planning and organizing these events.

In November 2023, Pam embarked on a new chapter by joining the Theatre Saskatchewan board. She is excited about this next phase of her theatrical journey, aligned with TSI's mission to expand community theatre across Saskatchewan. Pam’s vision involves extending support to communities yet to join TSI and aiding existing and new groups in recognizing the vast opportunities Theatre Saskatchewan offers.

Through her time with Paper Bag Players, she has forged enduring friendships within the club and throughout the province and eagerly anticipates creating more memories and nurturing existing and future friendships.

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” -Oscar Wilde