Category E, a dystopian exploration about using humans as lab rats, took home five trophies from the 28th Sterling Awards held on June 22 at Mayfield Dinner Theatre.
One of the big winners of the Maggie Tree production was Jenna Dykes-Busby who carried home the hardware as outstanding performance by an actress in a supporting role.
A home-grown St. Albert actor, Dykes-Busby played Filigree, a half-wild loner raised in a laboratory since birth. Unable to emotionally connect with people, Filigree is used as comparative study while her twin is raised in a family.
Her performance was astonishing, and the win was not surprising. To Dykes-Busby, it came as a shock especially since the competition included formidable actors Susan Gilmour, Kristi Hansen, Patricia Zentilli and Louise Lambert.
“I was up against such fantastic actors of theatre and film. I’d seen them perform many times and I’ve been in awe of them,” said Dykes-Busby.
Her first reaction was “sheer terror because I knew I had to make a speech and I hadn’t prepared one.”
Today the Sterling sits on her piano, a twin to her husband Mat Busby’s 2014 win.
Asked if a Sterling Award amps up credentials at auditions she replied, “Currently I’m mopping up the bar I work at, so it’s not totally a career change. I have lots of friends who won Sterlings and we’re still working actors in Edmonton.”
As an actor who works easily and comfortably in numerous genres, Dykes-Busby has performed in the mystery thriller Becoming Sharp, the musical April in Peril, Fringe comedy Anne-Abducted and the children’s fairytale Rapunzel.
Dykes-Busby has picked up an additional two roles at the upcoming Edmonton Fringe Festival.
Two other St. Albert Children’s Theatre alumni who were recognized at the Sterling Awards were Kate Ryan, artistic director of Plain Jane Theatre and Garrett Ross for their roles in It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Superman!
Ryan received an award as outstanding Fringe director and Ross was honoured for giving an outstanding Fringe performance by an actor.
