Emerson to host 31st Annual EVVYs

Emerson will host the 31st Annual EVVY Awards in front of a live audience at the 1,200–seat Cutler Majestic Theatre on Saturday, May 12, at 7:00 pm. Modeled after the Emmys and Oscars, this year’s production is sold out, but it will be broadcast throughout Boston on BNNTV and streamed live at http://evvyawards.org/evvys/watch/.

Hosted by Gabe Gibbs ’15, a Musical Theatre major, and Omri Rolan ’12, a Marketing Communications major, the EVVYs is the largest multi-camera, live college campus event in the United States. It’s a celebration of Emerson’s world-renowned communication and arts programs in which 40 awards are presented to students in a variety of categories—from Outstanding Vocal Performer to Outstanding Cinematic Achievement. In between award presentations, the production includes a variety of comedy sketches and musical and theatrical performances.

Students perform at last year’s 30th Annual Evvy Awards.

Student award submissions are sent out to professional judges in their respective fields. Among those judging this year’s EVVY’s: Mark Burnett, creator of NBC’s Survivor; Todd Greenwald ’91, creator, executive producer, and writer for Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place; Jon Rineman, writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; Phedon Papamichael, cinematographer for the Academy Award–winning film The Descendants; John Midgley, Academy Award–winning sound mixer for Hugo; DJ Romeo at Boston’s Kiss 108; and reporters at New England Cable News (NECN), the Boston Globe, and the Boston Herald.

And while students are recognized on stage, many Emerson students will be working behind the scenes to produce the EVVYs—putting into action what they’ve learned about lighting, sound, set design, costume design, directing, and filming a live event. Emerson alumnus, faculty member, and executive producer of the NBC sitcom Friends Kevin Bright ’76 is the executive producer and advisor for the production.

This year’s guest presenters include Vice President of Talent at ESPN and Emerson Board member Al Jaffe ’68; Emmy Award–Winning television producer and board member Gary Grossman ’70; Executive Director of ArtsEmerson Robert Orchard; and Executive Producer of House, M.D. and Lie to Me Daniel Sackheim.

Actor and comedian Mario Cantone ’82 is this year’s recipient of the Alumni Award of Distinction.

The 31st Annual EVVY Awards are sold out. The show starts at 7:00 pm at the Cutler Majestic Theatre (219 Tremont Street, Boston) and runs approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. It will air on BNNTV in Boston (Comcast, Ch. 9 or 23 | RCN, Ch. 15 or 83). It will re-air in select markets and online soon after the live event.

Awards for Writing, Journalism, and Marketing, among other disciplines taught at Emerson, were presented at a banquet in April.