Albany Civic Theater announced award winners for its 2006-07 season Sept. 29 at its annual Big Night awards evening.

ACT has more than 300 volunteers who help bring live theater to approximately 9,000 patrons each season.

ACT recognizes designers, actors and directors for their work throughout the season. Members also recognize two volunteers and a business each season for their specific contributions.

The Doug Johnson Memorial Award for long-time service to ACT was awarded to Nancy Fairchild.

The Jim Hendricks Memorial Award for promising newcomer went to Loren Dunn, and the Regina Frager Business Award was given to St Alban's Episcopal Church.

The technical achievement awards honor designers and stage managers for all of their behind-the-scenes work in making ACT's productions successful.

This year's stage manager award went to Lisa Sramek for her work on two productions. Sound design awards went to Dave Leigh ("You're a Good Man Charlie Brown") and Paul Watts ("Going to See the Elephant").

Costume design honors went to Oscar Hult ("Going to See the Elephant") and Lara Van Hoff ("You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"). Hult was also honored for his set design for "Going to See the Elephant." Ross Jackson's design for "Witness for the Prosecution" was the other honoree.

Lighting design awards went to John Elliott ("Going to See the Elephant") and Bill Nelson ("Witness for the Prosecution").

Acting awards went to Heather Emberson, "The Cemetery Club;" Chuck Skinner, "Witness for the Prosecution;" Calvin Ward, "Witness for the Prosecution;" Heidi Kravitz, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown;" Meghan Duddlesten, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown;" Miles Fletcher, "A Midsummer Night's Dream;" Johanna Spencer, "Going to See the Elephant;" Harriet Nixon, "Going to See the Elephant;" Bill Brown, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum;" and Cameron McFee, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

The final two awards of the evening were for favorite play and poster.

The 2006-07 People's Choice Poster award went to "The Cemetery Club," designed by Jodi Altendorf. The favorite play of last season was "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" directed by Christi E. Sears.

Democrat-Herald