[e-drive][AWARDS: JESSIE NOMINATIONS PARTY , VANCOUVER]

[Kaethe Yanovsky]

~~~~~~~~~~~~e-drive~~~~~~~~~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY JESSIE NOMINATIONS PARTY ANNOUNCED

Vancouver, BC.The Jessie Richardson Theatre Award Society requests your
presence at the announcement of the 2002 Jessie Richardson Theatre Award
nominees beginning at 4:30 PM sharp on Thursday, May 16 at the Arts Club
Theatre, 1585 Johnston Street on Granville Island.

Doors will open at 4:00 PM with the Nominations Party beginning at 4:30 PM
and wrapping at 5:15 PM. Nominees will be announced for both Large and Small
Theatres, as well as Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA).

The Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards is pleased to announce a new
partnership with ABSOLUT VODKA as the Title Sponsor of this year's 20th
Anniversary Awards. With its rich heritage in supporting the arts, ABSOLUT
VODKA has set a leadership example in the community by supporting this
special milestone and we are proud to have been chosen.

For the second year, a cash prize of $10,000 will be presented to the
company that is awarded the Outstanding Production for Theatre for Young
Audiences. Last years' recipient was Green Thumb Theatre for their
production of Derwent is Different. Vancouver is one of three cities (along
with Toronto and Montreal) to benefit from the Canada Council for the Arts
prizes for TYA. The TYA cash awards are administered and adjudicated by the
Jessie Richardson Theatre Award Society in Vancouver for four consecutive
years, through 2004.

For the fourth year, the Vancouver TheatreSports League (VTSL) will produce
and direct the Jessie Awards and will reveal the 2002 Jessie Poster and show
concept at the May 16th Nominations Party. The antics of the Jessies 2001
are still fresh in everyone's mind - who can forget the live hits from
backstage or the videotaped Angina Monologues, chronically typical stage
management stress relievers. "This anniversary show gives us the opportunity
to look back, and celebrate the last 20 years of our vibrant theatre
community in Vancouver", said Jay Ono, Executive Director of the Vancouver
TheatreSports League. "Hopefully the three years of experience we have had
producing the Jessies will make this awards show and party the most
memorable one ever. Don't miss it!"

The nominee announcements will be made 4 weeks prior to the 2002 Jessie
Awards Ceremony on Sunday, June 16th at the Commodore Ballroom.
Many of the nominees will be on hand at the May 16th Nominations Party and
will be available for interviews.

Media Contacts:

Sherri Sadler
Media Relations
Phone: 604.738.7013 X 32
Fax: 604.738.8013
sherrisadler at hotmail.com

Marlene Dixon
Jessie Richardson Theatre Award Society
Chairperson, Publicity & Marketing Committee
phone 604.241.7303
fax 604.241.7430