The reason we held the first annual Ghostlight Awards was to shine the spotlight on the people in the wings, in the pits and working front of house at the forty Broadway theaters in town.

And based on the massive number of votes we received, it worked.

But then I realized, announcing the winners was only half of our job.  And my step-dad used to say, “Never do anything half-assed.”

Giving them some attention wasn’t enough.  We also had to give them a voice.

So, I sent an intern or three around to the theaters to shoot acceptance speeches of all of the winners!  And we’ve posted ’em online for you to see and hear (ironic that some of the Tony Award winners speeches weren’t heard this year, but we’ve got the Best Usher speech right here!)

So that’s enough talking from me, let’s let the winners do the talking.

Oh, except let me say one thing before they do . . . I want to thank THEM for what they do.  We can’t all be Idina Menzel or Jerry Mitchell or David Rockwell.  But Idina and Jerry and David couldn’t be Idina and Jerry and David without the thousands of people who staff their shows and help make them a success.

Ok, and now, a few words from the winners of The Ghostlight Awards:

Best Child Guardian:
Jill Valentine – Annie – Palace Theatre

Best Company Manager:
Susan Sampliner – Wicked – Gershwin Theatre

Best Concessions/Bar Staff:
Jeremy Plyburn – The Book of Mormon – Eugene O’Neill Theatre

Best Dance Captain:
Brad Musgrove – Pippin – Music Box Theatre

Best Dresser:
Kathe Mull – Wicked – Gershwin Theatre

Best House Manager:
Michael Composto – The Book of Mormon – Eugene O’Neill Theatre

Best Merchandise Seller:
Paul Moon – Wicked – Gershwin Theatre

Best Musician:
Philip Fortenberry – Rocky – Winter Garden Theatre

Best Musical Director:
Brian Usifer – Kinky Boots – Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Best Stage Door Person:
Rose Alaio – Matilda – Shubert Theatre

Best Stagehand:
Jocelyn Smith – Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – The Stephen Sondheim Theatre

Best Stage Manager:
Lisa Dawn Cave – Rocky – Winter Garden Theatre

Best Usher:
Sarah Pauley – Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – The  Stephen Sondheim Theatre

(Got a comment? I love ‘em, so comment below! Email Subscribers, click here then scroll down to say what’s on your mind!)
– – – – –

FUN STUFF:

– Want $500?  Enter our 10 Minute Play Contest!

– Got a script?  Want to make it better?  Submit it to our script coverage service.  We guarantee it’ll get better or your money back.  Click here.

– Win two NYMF Silver passes! Click here.

–  Vote in the 2014 Broadway Marketing Awards!  Vote today!