Aidan Pietila and Lilith Kontos rehearse their roles for the Marquette Area Theatre Awards that will take place Thursday at the Masonic Center. The show will honor musicals from four local theater groups with various category awards. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Balding)

MARQUETTE — Get ready to waltz down the red carpet in support of Marquette County’s theater groups in the first of its kind award show that honors the roles played both on and off stage throughout last year.

The Marquette Area Theatre Awards will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Red Room at the Upper Peninsula Masonic Center, with a 21-and-over after party from 9 to 11 p.m. where attendees can get a chance to meet the actors, producers, directors and theatre crew. Event proceeds will benefit each theater group involved, which include the Masonic Arts Theatre Fellowship, Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council of Negaunee, Superior Arts Youth Theatre and Lake Superior Theatre.

Producer Sarah Balding of the Masonic gathered this idea in the fall and from then, it quickly sprouted into a larger event, she said. This is an opportunity to reassure theatre groups that what they do is important to the arts and culture world in Marquette and it’s a chance for the community to see what these groups have to offer, Balding said.

“… We really wanted to celebrate theater in the area. There’s different award shows but there’s not one that specifically covers musicals and plays and so that’s what this award show is covering,” Balding said.

When the lights go dim, each theater group will perform a number from a musical it performed in 2019 and selections vary from “The Rocky Horror Show” to “Matilda.”

“Not only is it an award show to honor them but it’s also theater that you get to watch and an array of theater,” Balding said.

Voting for the award nominations will remain open until midnight Wednesday, and the link can be found on the event’s Facebook page. Doors open at 6 p.m. and paid voting will be available from 6 to 7 p.m. — where categories include local fundraiser, supporting actor/actress, and outstanding play.

Producers from each theater group nominated acts that stood out the most. But moving forward with future award shows, Balding said they want to form a committee — two unbiased individuals — that will go to every show and choose the nominations.

TV6 News’ Paige Spizak and Faye Elder will be the show’s announcers and Balding said it’s going to be a “very fun ride with those two at the wheel.” The two will bring a hilarious and unique vibe to the show, Balding said, adding they will be Marquette’s version of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Though this is the first year that this show has taken place, it’s amazing how the theater community came together so quickly, she said.

“It’s been a very humbling experience that so many people would give so much for the event,” Balding said.

This event is important to Balding, who grew up going to the Masonic building, and said that this is a chance to give back and help these arts flourish in the future.

“I would encourage people (to go) because you can be in Marquette and go to Marquette theater, but you can completely miss PAAC in Negaunee,” Balding said. “… I think going, even if you sort of like to go to shows, it could open up a whole new love and it shows the real side of these actors and actresses and not only the actors and actresses, the stage crew, the lighting crew and the makeup artists and choreographer … so come to meet everybody.”

Tickets for VIP seating are $35, stadium seating tickets are $15 and general admission is $10. Tickets can be purchased via the Facebook link on the event page, eventbrite.com or at the door.

Jackie Jahfetson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248.