Entangled Waters crew (L to R) Kaita Lepore Mrazek, Robin Bisio, Sarah York Rubin, Ethan Turpin, Jim Connolly, Lamara Heartwell Golovin, and Robin Elander at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman

Each year in the week before Memorial Day, the Santa Barbara Independent throws a pair of parties to honor the region’s top achievements in the fields of dance and theater. This year’s Indy Awards were held at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club on Sunday-Monday, May 20-21, and recognized more than two dozen performers, directors, choreographers, and designers for their work in the 2017-2018 season.

Sunday night was devoted to dance, with a performance by honoree and 2016 Teen Dance Star winner Frankie Harman. On Monday, the large crowd that gathered to witness the longstanding Indy Theater Awards heard a pair of outstanding high school performers, Nolan Montgomery and Lily McWhirter, sing songs from the musicals they starred in this year, and listened to the many acceptance speeches. The remarks delivered by and about costume designer Barbara Lackner, who received a lifetime achievement award, were particularly moving and memorable.

Celesta Billeci at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Rodney Gustafson, Cecily Stewart, and William Soleau at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards
Paul Wellman
Frankie Harman at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Frankie Harman at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Frankie Harman at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Frankie Harman at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Frankie Harman at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Frankie Harman at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Shelby Lynn Joyce at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Shelby Lynn Joyce at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Robin Wilson at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Delila Moseley and Kira Furie at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
Vasily Golovin at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Dance Awards at Soho
Paul Wellman
George Walker at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Brian McDonald at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Ivy Vahanian at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Ivy Vahanian at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Nolan Montgomery at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Nolan Montgomery at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Nolan Montgomery at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Nolan Montgomery at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Elena White at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
TK Drama Dogs at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Drama Dogs's E. Bonnie Lewis at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Risa Brainin at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
DonnLa Hughes at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
DonnLa Hughes at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Samantha Eve at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Lily McWhirter at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Lily McWhirter at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Lily McWhirter at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
James OÕNeil at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Felicia Hall at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Felicia Hall at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
John Blondell at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Anne Torsiglieri at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Jason Bowe at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Jason Bowe at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Barbara Lackner at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Irwin Appel at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Joanna Syiek at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Joanna Syiek at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman
Brian Harwell at the 2018 Santa Barbara Independent "Indy" Theater Awards
Paul Wellman

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