The Fans Of Reno Tahoe Entertainers (FORTE) has announced the nominees for the 2017 FORTE Awards, which honors the top entertainment talent in the Reno-Tahoe region.
The categories and nominees are:
Theater categories
Actor, Dramatic Role: Jessey Richards, Cody Canon (in Bad Jews), Adam Hsu, John Frederick, and Ian Sorensen.
Actress, Dramatic Role: Juli Fair, Sophie Moeller, Rachel Lopez, Kathy Welch, Cori Cooper, Jasmine Jiang, Debra Lynn Hull, Olivia Hansen, and Moira Bengochea.
Actor, Comedic Role: Cody Canon (in The Explorers Club), James Miller (in the Explorers Club), Greg Klino, Jesse James Ziegler, Abel Echeverria, and Gary Eugene Cremeans II.
Actress, Comedic Role: Vanessa Ribeiro, Ariana Cramer, Rachel Lopez, Jesse Briggs, Ilyana Hobson, and Rachel Steinman.
Actor, Musical Role: Rodney Hurst, Cody Canon (in Silence! The Musical), Ryan Kelly,
Richard S. Sargent, Bill Quinby, and John Frederick.
Best Director/Producer (Comedy, Drama, Musical): Susan Boulanger, John Frederick,
Andy Mills, Kendall Mann, Amanda Alvey, Ryan Costello, David Zybert, John Bankhead, Joe Atack, and Cami Thompson.
Dance categories
Ballet, Contemporary and Lyrical: Kris Swaczyna, Sophia Carter, Kelsi Landerkin, Angela Smith, and Ashley Smith.
Dancer in a Musical, Play, or Production Show: Taylor Shepack, Courtney Cobble,
July Reddicks, Jayde Reid, and Dillon Daggs.
Ballroom, Jazz and Tap: Jennifer Oropeza, Marla Richardson, and Haley Davis.
Baliwood, Belly Dance and Movement: Chelle Martinez, and Terri Sheridan.
Hip Hop, Pop Lock, Breaker and Street Performer: Alex Gumm, and Michael Kaski.
Special Act Performer; including but no limited to Aerial, Contortion, Pole Artist, Hooper: VaVa Vivian, Whiskey Sirens (group), Skydance, Rebecca Yruegas, and Claire Nightingale/Tahoe Fire Dancers.
All Around Junior Dancer (13 – 17 years): Sophia Cacioppo, Bryce Walsh, and Alex Schwartz.
Current comedy and magic categories
Male Comedian: Jeremy Boswell, Sammy Solorio, Cesar Calix, Paul Bronken, Bobby Benedict, Roger Diez, Nick Josten, David Gamble Jr., and Sam O’Brien.
Female Comedian: Amy Bosch, Verma Chelli, Josie Spadoni, Andrea B, and Sarah Rooker.
Improv: Bryce Sanders, Sam O’Brien, Amanda Alvey, and Marki Ho.
Magician: Larry Wilson, Teemu, Jacques Simard Magician, Xelena, Empress of the Impossible, Debi Destiny, and Robert Simpson.
Music Group categories
Blues: The Trey Stone Band, Buddy Emmer, The Jokers Wild Blues Band, Jason King Band, Blue Haven Blues Band, The Blues Monsters, Foureyed Jimmy, Athena McIntyre, 9 Below Zero, and Alex Muddy Smith.
Metal and Heavy Rock: We Predict A Riot, Third Edge, Hollywood Trashed, Haf-ded,
Elephant Rifle, Murderock, From the Ruins, Chapter 3, Machine Gun Vendetta, and Monkey Pinata
Rock: Alisha Sadler, Seasons of Insanity, SuperNaturalHeroes, Metalbilly Trucker, Zack Ryan, Frankly Fictitious, Blue Dyno, Hot Rod Rebellion, Serenity Awaits, and The Electric.
Jazz: Reno Jazz Orchestra, Kyle Rea Big Band, First Take featuring Rick Metz, Big Bill Robless, and Alex Muddy Smith.
Pop: The Novelists, Jonathan Rolling, The Sad Toms, Eddy Bueno, Nevada Gay Mens Chorus, Wunderlust, Big Heart, Asphalt Socialites, The Run Up, and Pink Awful.
R&B, Funk and Soul: Mojo Green, Wesley Orsolic Band, Trey Stone, Arizona Jones, The Sextones.
Country: Spur Crazy, Everyday Outlaw, Alex Muddy Smith, Greg Austin & Southern Justice, and Patrick Casey.
Americana, Bluegrass and World Music: Tyler Stafford, The Reno Swing Set, Monique Jade Band, Sierra Sweethearts, Mel & Gia, and Jeff Wayne Watkins.
Cabaret and Tribute: The Floyd, Decoy, Retro Radio Dolls, Wild Child – A Tribute to Janis Joplin, Audio Boxx, Atomika, Beatles Flashback, and Wanderlust- A tribute to One Hit Wonders.
Categories for a music individual
Jazz Instrumentalist: Rick Metz, Corky Bennett, Niall McGuiness, Doug Coomler, and John Shipley.
Bass: Gia Torcaso, Alexander Korostinsky, Steve Caba aka: Guss, Scott Parsons/Arizona Jones, and Landon Gray.
Guitarist: Trey Stone, Buddy Emmer, Tom Sheridan, Andy Kimberly, Wesley Orsolik, Mark Cromer/Cromerzone, Jeff Montgomery, Jason King Roxas, Michael W. Proud, and Eric Stangeland.
Drums and Percussion: Dean Rossi, Steve Roberts, Rick Brenner, Brooklyn Reiff, Len Campanaro, Kevin Maxwell, and Dan Weiss.
Electronic: Sky Cats, Rob Lawrence, Kirst / Kiechler, Stratify, Subdocta, Erik Lobe, Neuro Type, and HulabaLoo.
Hip Hop Vocalist: Another Chapter Productions, Too Much, Just Sam, Ronnie Mac, Luke Wynn, Nina Ox, Stratify Feat (Jhaquin), and Stevi Cooper.
Female Vocalist: Jonie Blinman, Michele Swaczyna, Krystal McMullen, Grace Hayes, Cindy Sabatini, Lisa McCuiston, Grace Gatsby, Carolyn Dolan Music, Stevi Cooper, Natalie Jones, and Kim Emmer.
Male Vocalist: Marsh Brodeur, Shane Whitecloud, Greg Austin, Jhaquin, Tobin Jones, Eric Andersen, and Mario Guzman.
