Roll out the red carpet: Theatre and Actors Guild Gala set Jan. 26

BREEZY POINT-The Theatre and Actors Guild's annual Red Carpet Gala will be opened to the public this year.

The gala will be 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Lakeside Ballroom of Breezy Point Resort. The gala made its debut last year, but was not open to the public. This year it will be open to everyone.

Guild founder and president Kevin Yeager likens the event to the lakes area's very own version of the Tony Awards.

"If you have even seen a theatrical production at Stage North Theatre Company, Brainerd

Community Theatre at CLC (Central Lakes College) or Pequot Lakes Community Theatre, it is an absolute certainty that you were entertained by several, if not all, Theatre and Actors Guild members," Yeager stated in a news release.

The Guild consists of roughly 200 individual members of actors, performers, directors, designers, choreographers and producers in the Brainerd lakes area. As described by Yeager, the Guild "is a stand-alone independent society representing the greater theatre family."

Throughout the year, the guild sends anonymous judges known as the "Guild Panel" to watch, listen and enjoy each and every community theater production and then score the productions in different categories. These categories include Best Male or Female in a leading role, Best Set Design, Best Lighting, Best Musical and so on. The panel reviews the results of their scoring to eventually produce winners in the categories.

The award given is the "Dennis Lamberson Award for Excellence in Theatre" or "Lambie." It is named in honor of the late teacher/director who produced theater at CLC from 1988 until his death in 2013.

The awards are just a part of the event's happenings. The night begins with a music-filled social hour with cash bar, followed by a plated dinner, awards ceremony and music and dancing. Until now the gala has been limited to members and one guest only. This year it changes, allowing room for a limited number of family members, affiliates or attending public guests.

"The recent growth and energy of not only the Guild itself but also theater in our area prompted us to take this public," Yeager stated. "It seemed like the natural next step.

"Last year we turned away dozens of people who were not members. This year, all are welcome until we reach the capacity of our accommodations."

Yeager described the gala venue as "small enough that the setting feels intimate and encourages socializing, but large enough that the space can also be nicely appointed with decorations, a real red carpet and photo backdrop."

"This year's gala will offer a secret guest host, as well as a few surprises that will have guests talking for weeks to come," Yeager stated.

Cost for the event is $12 per person, plus an additional optional $12 meal ticket which can be purchased at the door. Event tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com, by calling 218-838-3483 or by emailing yeagerdesigns@aol.com .

Yeager summed up the event in this way: "The community theater family is a wonderfully talented and unique group of people. We are very proud to offer the opportunity to gather all of these people in one place to enjoy each other's company. This year, the public is welcome to join in and rub elbows with all of their favorite characters of the local stages. It's a wonderful opportunity."

1/2: Jesse Brutscher poses with a trophy at last year’s Theatre and Actors Guild’s annual Red Carpet Gala. He won "Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical." Photo by John Erickson

2/2: Lauren Yeager poses at last year’s Theatre and Actors Guild’s annual Red Carpet Gala. This year the gala is open to the public. It will be Jan. 26 at the Lakeside Ballroom of Breezy Point Resort. Photo by John Erickson