Awards high-five theater community

Last night, Tampa Bay's behind-the-scenes theater professionals shared the spotlight with actors in the first annual Jeff Norton Theater Awards for excellence in the craft.

American Stage, Gorilla Theatre, Jobsite Theater and Stageworks hosted the event, which was held at St. Petersburg College's Palladium Theater and emceed by ABC Action News anchor Brendan McLaughlin and Jen Holloway.

Each company presented best-of awards, plus a special in-house nod, to recognize the work of members in the theater community.

The award was named in honor of local actor Jeff Norton, who died in July 2010.

American Stage Theatre

Best Costume Design: Adrin Puente, "The Mystery of Irma Vep"

Best Supporting Actor: Brian Webb Russell, "Barefoot in the Park"

Best Sound Design: T. Scott Wooten, "Opus"

Best Lighting Design: Joseph P. Oshry, "The Mystery of Irma Vep"

Best Set Design: Jeffrey Dean, "The Mystery of Irma Vep"

Best Director: Todd Olson, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Best Actor: Richard B. Watson, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Best Actress: Christine Decker, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Gorilla Theatre

Best Costume Design: Jennifer Cunningham, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment"

Best Supporting Actor: Glenn Gover, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment"

Best Sound Design: Lynne Locher, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment"

Best Lighting Design: Megan Byrne, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment"

Best Supporting Actress: Jonelle Meyer, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment"

Best Set Design: Jake Kavanagh, "Sweet Storm"

Best Director: Bridget Bean, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment"

Best Actor: Christopher Swan, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment"

Best Actress: Caroline Jett, "The Lion in Winter"

Special Award: Jerid Fox and Joel Gennari

Jobsite Theater

Best Costume Design: Katrina Stevenson, "Einstein's Dreams"

Best Supporting Actor: Spencer Meyers, "The Taming of the Shrew"

Best Sound Design: David Jenkins, "The Odd Couple"

Best Lighting Design: Brian Smallheer, "Einstein's Dreams"

Best Supporting Actress: Summer Bohnenkamp, "The Odd Couple"

Best Set Design: Brian Smallheer, "Mindgame"

Best Director: Karla Hartley, "Yellowman"

Best Actor: Paul Potenza, "The Odd Couple"

Best Actress: Fanni Green, "Yellowman"

Special Award: Greta Man

Stageworks Theatre

Best Costume Design: Mike and Kathy Buck, "The God of Isaac"

Best Supporting Actor: Slake Counts, "A Lesson Before Dying"

Best Sound Design: Karla Hartley

Best Lighting Design: Karla Hartley

Best Supporting Actress: Gloria Bailey, "A Lesson Before Dying"

Best Set Design: R.T. Williams, "A Lesson Before Dying"

Best Director: Karla Hartley, "MOMologues"

Best Actor: Joshua Goff, "A Lesson Before Dying"

Best Actress: Heather Krueger, "As Bees in Honey Drown"

Special Award: Andrea Graham