Recent local acting winners in the Inland Theatre League. From left, Kathleen Walker, Debbie Overman, Jeri Greene, Barbara Rayliss, Christopher Morse, John Wesley Leon and Gina Kraut. Photo of Rayliss by Marshall Smith for the Idyllwild Town Crier/Leon by Frazier Drake/Remainder by Marsha Kennedy
Recent local acting winners in the Inland Theatre League. From left, Kathleen Walker, Debbie Overman, Jeri Greene, Barbara Rayliss, Christopher Morse, John Wesley Leon and Gina Kraut.
Photo of Rayliss by Marshall Smith for the Idyllwild Town Crier/Leon by Frazier Drake/Remainder by Marsha Kennedy

The Inland Theatre League judged two Stratford Players’ productions during 2014 and recently awarded Excellence in Acting certificates for actors in both “Night of the Iguana” (Kathleen Walker as Hannah Jelkes) and “Vanya and Sonia and Marsha and Spike” (Barbara Rayliss as Cassandra, Debbie Overman as Sonia and Jeri Greene as Masha).

In addition, Christopher Morse, Stratford Players founding member and actor, received a certificate for his portrayal of William Gillette for Ramona Hillside Players’ “The Game’s Afoot.” Two weeks before that show was to go up, an actor had to drop out of the cast. Morse received a call asking if he could possibly step in. For the two weeks leading up to the curtain opening, he studied his lines 24/7. As evidenced by his award, he turned in his usual stellar performance.

John Wesley Leon, most recently seen playing George Bernard Shaw in Stratford Players’ “Engaging Shaw,” earned an ITL award for his role of Col. Nathan Jessep for Temecula Valley Players’ “A Few Good Men.” Gina Kraut of Stratford Players’ “Calendar Girls” fame garnered an award for her portrayal of Ouiser Boudreaux in Ramona Hillside Players’ “Steel Magnolias.”

Visit stratfordplayers.com for more information.