Photo Coverage: The 2013 First Night Honors Gala Concert

Theater people from throughout Tennessee gathered at Belmont University's Bill and Carole Troutt Theatre on Sunday night for the 2013 First Night Honors to pay tribute to a group of eight remarkable people who have made indelible marks on the theater scene throughout their storied careers. Hosted by Holly Shepherd and Joel Diggs, the gala evening honored the eight leading lights of Tennessee theater as they were recognized as members of the First Night Class of 2013 Honorees.

Founded by Jeffrey Ellis, who is a contributing editor to BroadwayWorld.com, in 1989, The First Night Honors this year recognized the producing team of Maggi Bowden and the late Sue Stinemetz; director/producers and co-founders of Tennessee Women's Theatre Project Maryanna and Chris Clarke; actress/director/writer Jackie Welch; Paul Vasterling, artistic director and CEO of Nashville Ballet; actress/director/educator Mary Jane Harvill; and Nashville Shakespeare Festival co-founder Chambers Stevens, who now lives in Los Angeles and is recognized as a director, actor, playwright and acting coach. A cast of more than 100 performers paid tribute to them in a gala concert on Sunday night, witnessed by a capacity crowd at the Troutt Theatre.

A red carpet event, hosted by Jennifer Richmond and Trey Palmer-joined by Angela Gimlin, Hugh Britt and Cary Street-preceded the Honors concert, which featured more than 100 performers paying tribute to the eight honorees.

Among those performing were: Kate Adams, Abbie Adkerson, Zacarey Adkerson, Christian Albright-Redden, Blair Allison, Delaney Amatrudo, David Arnold, Tate Blunt, Taylor Blunt, Ryan Bowie, Hugh Britt, Daron Bruce, Janette Bruce, Will Butler, Britt Byrd, Naeaidria Callihan, Lynda Cameron-Bayer, Bryce Conner, RandAl Cooper, Douglas Corzine, Trish Crist, Laura Crockarell, Gina D'Arco, Spencer Dean, Nick Fair, Katelyn Michelle Fiorini, Rosemary Fossee, Flynt Foster, Ashton Frey, Kedzie Frey, Theola Futch, LaToya Gardner, Ryan Garrett, Angela Gimlin, Mallory Gleason, Hannah Grant, Corbin Green, Lauri Gregoire, Ben Gregory, Andy Gunn, Nan Gurley, Liddy Hade, Erica Haines, Dajuana Hammond, Britt Hancock, Bailey Hanks, Thomas Harton, Jordan Hartwell, Elizabeth Hayes, Kaylee Hodges, Michael Holder, Dominique Howse, Matt Hunter, Rachel Jackson, BranDon Johnson, Stephen Michael Jones, CJ Jordan, Zae Jordan, Anthony Just, Bonnie Keen, Shane Kopischkee, Warren Langworthy, Amanda Lamb, Mary McCallum, Kevin Mead, Eleanor Mellen, Corrie Miller, Ron Murphy, Tony Nappo, Ginger Newman, Nicholas Oldman, Trey Palmer, Tonya Pewitt, Danny Proctor, Caleb Reynolds, Darin Richardson, Jennifer Richmond, Rob Rodems, Tamiko Robinson, Barbara Jean Rogers, Kayla Rowser, Kimberly Rye, Mollie Sansone, Layne Sasser, Helen Shute-Pettaway, Howard Snyder, Scott Stewart, Cary Street, Memory Strong, Christopher Stuart, Katherine Sandoval Taylor, Logan Steinbarge, Taylor Tracey, Chadwick Ray, Michelle Valenti, Whitney Vaughn, Luciano Vignola, Douglas Waterbury-Tieman, Karissa Wheeler, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, Jessica Wockenfuss, Lane Wright and Kim Yearwood.

The event was written, produced and directed by Jeffrey Ellis, with producers Kate Adams and Holly Shepherd, choreography by Adams and Lauri Gregoire, scenic design by Jim Manning, sound design by Charley Hubbs, lighting design by Nathan Ray and Leah Fincher. Jane Kelley is music director emeritus, with Ginger Newman as associate music director and Vickie Bailey as associate producer. Tyler Henry was production stage manager.

Photographer Johnny Benton, of Nashville's Studio Benton Photography, caught the entire evening with his camera, providing some special portraits of the Honorees in the process.