Rivendell's The Cake Receives Four Jeff Nominations

The Cake Gets Nominated!

A peek at Arnel Sancianco's scenic design for Rivendell Theatrical Ensemble's The Cake.

A few months ago, I did sound design for The Cake at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble in Chicago. I was excited to work with them, both because of Rivendell's mission to advance the lives of women through theatre and because it gave me a chance to work again with the extremely talented Lauren Shouse. Lauren was one of my first and earliest collaborators, and it was an honor to be asked to work with her now that we are both "grown ups" and had been working in the field for a while.

Working on the show was a blast. We had a fantastic design/tech team and cast, and it was truly special to watch Artistic Director Tara Mallen take on the role of Della, a woman caught between her religious beliefs and her motherly love for Jen, Della's deceased best friend's daughter who is marrying a woman. It was also my first time working on a show that had a Cake Choreographer!

I was extremely excited to learn that the show has been nominated for four Joseph Jefferson Awards — Production, Play - Midsize; Director, Play (Lauren Shouse) - Midsize; Performer in a Principal Role - Play (Tara Mallen); Scenic Design - Midsize (Arnel Sancianco). Congratulations to Lauren, Tara, Arnel, and the entire The Cake team!