UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Steve H. Broadnax III, professor of theater and co-professor-in-charge of the Master of Fine Arts Directing Program at Penn State, and Curtis Craig, associate professor of sound design, were each recognized by Theatre Philadelphia with Barrymore Awards for their work on Broadnax’s play “Bonez.”
Awarded annually, the Barrymores recognize professional theater in the Greater Philadelphia region by honoring local artists and theater companies while increasing public awareness of the richness and diversity of the city's thriving theater community.
Broadnax won “Outstanding Overall Production of a Play,” and Craig won “Outstanding Sound Design.” The show was also recognized with the “Outstanding Media Design” award given to Zavier Augustus Lee Taylor.
“Receiving the Barrymore Awards for Bonez is both humbling and exhilarating,” Broadnax said. “It's a wonderful recognition of the hard work and passion everyone involved poured into this project.”
Written and directed by Broadnax, “Bonez,” which ran during the 2023-24 season at People’s Light Theatre in Malvern, brought the social horror genre to the stage in the chilling investigation of masculinity, intimacy and childhood demons.
The play centers on the gathering of “the bruhs” for a game of Dominoes at the host’s new apartment. As the gathering begins, a mysterious knock in the walls haunts the game. As the drinks flow, wagers escalate and the game intensifies, unknown truths reveal themselves while the knock grows louder and louder.
As sound designer for the show Craig was tasked in part with creating the knock, which as he explained served as its own character and motivated much of the play.
“It’s a complete mystery. We shouldn’t know what it is, where it’s really coming from or even if it actually exists,” Craig said. “But simultaneously it has to have the same effect on the audience. It needs to scare them physically, but also make them wonder, ‘what exactly is happening?’”
The success of the key element of the play was not only a credit to Craig’s skill but a nod to his 23-year professional relationship with Broadnax, during which the two have collaborated on 35 shows.
“It’s always a pleasure working with Curtis and the entire team,” Broadnax said. “I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated cast and crew, whose talent and commitment made Bonez such a memorable production, and to Curtis for his invaluable support and vision throughout.”
With his first foray into the horror genre behind him, Braodnax said the recognition will push him to continue to think outside of the box.
“This award is a meaningful validation of our efforts, but it’s also a tremendous motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creativity,” Broadnax said. “It inspires me to keep diving deeper and bring more unique stories to the stage.”
Broadnax and Craig were presented with the awards on Oct. 28 during the Barrymore Award Ceremony at the Temple Performing Arts Center.