B. Iden Payne Awards

The B. Iden Payne Awards are annual awards for local theater in Austin.

The awards currently include improv categories for "Outstanding Production" and "Outstanding Director", as well as the "Rudy Kloptik Award for Outstanding Improvisational Troupe".

History

The B. Iden Payne awards are given annually in the fall by the B. Iden Payne awards council, a sponsored project of the Austin Creative Alliance, to "recognize outstanding contributions to the Austin theatre community". They are named after British theatre director and UT professor B. Iden Payne and handed out their first awards in 1974.

Only scripted productions were included in the ceremonies until 2006, when Austin Circle of Theatres director Latifah Taormina invited the improv community to become a part of the awards. The first year, all voting was done in a single round, with each improvisor delivering their ballot with a single nomination via email or paper to Rachel Madorsky and Valerie Ward, who took care of the voting and nominations. The top five nominees were announced on September 25th, and the winner was announced at the awards ceremony on October 29th. The official title of the award was "The Rudy Kloptic Award for Outstanding Improvisational Theatre Ensemble," named after Rudy Kloptic (need more info on who he was).

In 2007, voting was again done through a single ballot, this time via online anonymous voting system set up by Roy Janik using Bob Apthorpe's voting program. The top five nominees were announced on October 20 and the winner on October 21.

List of Improv Award Winners and Nominees, By Year

2005-2006 Season

• The Rudy Kloptic Award for Oustanding Improvisational Theatre Ensemble: The Frank Mills

Nominees:

You Me & Greg

Girls Girls Girls

Foolish Mortals

The Frank Mills

ColdTowne

2006-2007 Season

• The Rudy Kloptic Award for Oustanding Improvisational Theatre Ensemble: ColdTowne

Nominees:

Available Cupholders

ColdTowne

Frank Mills

Parallelogramophonograph

Girls Girls Girls

2007-2008 Season

Austin's "Improvisational Dream Team" ( the best reps of improvisational theatre, both on stage and in the community.)

Dave Buckman, Asaf Ronen, Tami Nelson, Chris Trew, Michael, Jastroch, Shana Merlin, Roy Janik, and Justin York

2008-2009 Season

• Rudy Kloptik Award for Outstanding Work in Improvisational Theatre: Parallelogramophonograph

2009-2010 Season

No awards listed. (?)

2010-2011 Season

No awards listed. (?)

2011-2012 Season

• The Rudy Kloptic Award for Oustanding Improvisational Theatre Ensemble: Girls Girls Girls

Nominees: Bad Boys

2012-2013 Season

No awards listed. (?) Nominees: Bad Boys

2013-2014 Season

• Outstanding Production: Hurly Burly
• Outstanding Director: Jayme Ramsay and Marc Majcher, Hurly Burly
• Rudy Kloptik Award for Outstanding Improvisational Troupe: Girls Girls Girls

Nominees: Bad Boys