University costumer Sydney Roberts has been nominated in Atlanta for two Suzi Bass awards, an achievement that is compared to New York’s Tony Awards. The nominations are in the costume design category for the Georgia Shakespeare performances of Othello and Pericles.
Roberts has been with the University Department of Theatre and Speech for 23 years, and she has played a significant role in the education of many students.
“UTC students benefit greatly from Sydney’s designs, both scenic and costumes,” said John R. Burgess, head of the Department of Theatre and Speech. “Few programs of our size have a costume designer who is a member of United Scenic Artists, the union that represents professional designers throughout the country, from Broadway to Hollywood.”
The Suzi Bass Awards recognize and foster professional theatrical excellence in the Atlanta area, honor the late and beloved actress Suzi Bass, and provide a valuable regional and national marketing tool for individual theatres and for the Atlanta professional theatre community. Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. announced the nominees from the stage of The Shakespeare Tavern. The Suzi Awards sent judges to the opening nights of productions offered by 17 producing organizations.
“Sydney’s nomination for two Suzi awards this year is testament to the quality of her work. Sydney’s work is recognized as high caliber, professional work. The greater university community gets to enjoy her costumes in our productions, and our students get to help her assemble them as well as wear them,” Burgess said.
The awards ceremony will take place Monday evening, November 5, 2007, at 8 p.m. in the Egyptian ballroom at the Fox Theatre. For more information, email SuziAwards@comcast.net.