Toronto Alliance Hosts 32ND ANNUAL DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS

The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) proudly announces that the 32nd annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, celebrating extraordinary Toronto talent in the performing arts, will take place today, June 27 at 8pm at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in the Bluma Appel Theatre.

The awards will be co-hosted by Gemini-nominated comedian/writer/actor Craig Lauzon of CBC-TV's Royal Canadian Air Farce and actress Michaela Washburn, Dora-nominated for her principal role in Theatre Passe Muraille's Such Creatures. Dora-winning playwright Chris Earle pens the script for the first time while Sandra Lefrançois returns for a second time to direct. Lighting is by nine-time Dora winner Andrea Lundy who returns for the tenth consecutive year.

New this year is a Red Carpet outside the entrance to the theatre where guests will be given star treatment as they arrive for this glamorous night, greeted by the marvelous award-winning stage, screen and radio veteran Elley-Ray Hennessy, and Dora-nominated Colin Doyle (2008 & 2010 NOW Magazine "Artist to Watch"). The Red Carpet runs from 7:15-8pm. The always fabulous After-Party will, for the second year in a row, transform Front Street into a giant street party in front of the theatre. This year, the pre-show VIP reception will be held at the elegant and well appointed Lower Lobby at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

Canadian Comedy Award- and Gemini-nominaTed Craig Lauzon has written and performed for CBC's Royal Canadian Air Farce, and co-wrote the 2006 Gemini industry night gala events. He is a member of the all-First Nations comedy troupe Tonto's Nephews and recently toured with Lorne Cardinal in Thunderstick. A graduate of The Second City's Conservatory, Michaela Washburn's theatre credits include Such Creatures (Dora nomination, Theatre Passe Muraille) and Death of a Chief (Native Earth Performing Arts/National Arts Centre). She appears in Soulpepper's upcoming production of Judith Thompson's White Biting Dog in August 2011.

Chris Earle is a Canadian Comedy and Dora Award-winning playwright (Radio :30), actor, director and Co-Artistic Director of the night kitchen. He recently wrote and directed Puppetmongers' Hard Times and directed Second City's Something Wicked Awesome This Way Comes.

The Doras are named for Dora Mavor Moore (1888 - 1979), a well-loved teacher and director who helped establish Canadian professional theatre in the 1930s and 1940s. Recognizing the outstanding achievements in Toronto's performing arts industry, the Doras honour the creators of over 200 theatre, dance and opera productions annually in the following Divisions: General Theatre, Independent Theatre, Musical Theatre, Dance, Opera and Theatre for Young Audiences.
The Dora Mavor Moore Awards are administered by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). In addition to the Doras, other programs and services provided by TAPA include: T.O. TIX - Toronto's Official One Stop Ticket Shop at Yonge-Dundas Square and online at www.totix.ca; 5 STAR EXPERIENCE Theatre & Dining Packages, Toronto's official Theatre Guide; hipTIX, offering $5 tickets to students between the ages of 15 and 29; citySPECIAL,; the Commercial Theatre Development Fund; and the Travel Retreat Initiatives Program - TRIP. For more information visit www.tapa.ca and www.totix.ca.

32nd ANNUAL DORA Mavor Moore AWARDS
Toronto's Theatre, Dance and Opera Awards
Monday June 27, 2011
Hosted by Craig Lauzon and Michaela Washburn
6pm-7:30pm Pre-Show VIP Reception at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
8pm Dora Mavor Moore Awards Show at the Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E.
10:30pm After-Party Under the Stars outside the St.Lawrence Centre on Front Street
Directed by Sandra Lefrançois
Written by Chris Earle
Lighting Design: Andrea Lundy
Producer: Jacoba Knaapen
Regular Tickets: $65. Call the Box Office at 416-366-7723
VIP Tickets: $165. Call 416-536-6468 ext 27
For information visit www.tapa.ca

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