The Event
Stomping Ground held its annual SG Awards on Saturday, June 29. This event is held annually to celebrate staff, students, performers, volunteers, the SG community, and all of the wonderful things they have accomplished over the past year. The event is chaired each year by Board of Directors member and Improv for Life & Work Director Andrea Baum and this year she had the help of volunteers Haylee Matecko, Lynsey Hale, Nikki Hodgkins, Andrew Missel, Brooks Powers, John Gerhardt, Shenelle Peart, Nick Vanden Heuvel, Whitney Peters, and Mo Dabney.
The evening is full of glitter and glam as each attendee walks the red carpet. This year they were met at the door with champagne and delectable desserts provided by performer and staff member Lynsey Hale and her mom Donna.
Celebrating The Work & Those Who Make It Possible
The evening was hosted by Executive & Artistic Director Lindsay Goldapp and was kicked off by highlighting impactful moments from 2023 and 2024. Those moments included a Spaghetti Confetti show for 400 middle schoolers at Jesus Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard, the Improv Club showcase at Winston School, a special Improv for Caregivers group of men caring for their wives, and special moments from kids’ improv camps.
Lindsay then recognized the small but mighty Stomping Ground Board of Directors
- Ashley Sharp
- Liz Robinson
- David Parsons
- Julieta Ezeiza
- Andrea Baum
- Lindsay Goldapp
- Dr. Mary Quiceno- Emeritus
- Jim Shields- Emeritus
- Rashida Chambers- Emeritus
- Megan Rowe- Emeritus
And the generous sponsors of the first EVER 48-Hour Laugh-A-Thon:
- Jacky & Charlotte Chu
- Lewisville Autoplex
- Hurst Autoplex
- The Rosen Group
- Todd Wages
- Pippa’s love
- Mikey Abrams
- Dallas CBT
- The POTS Treatment Center
- Sam & Sarah Sameni
- Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds
- Joseph Ferguson Northwestern Mutual
- Matt Duke
- Canvas Counseling & Wellness
Lindsay also gave a special thanks to one of Stomping Ground’s largest donors to date, KnowBe4 Security Awareness Platform, and the supporter of the Stomping Ground internship program, SG Superfan and Emeritus Board Member Jim Shields.
The year’s biggest donors were also recognized for their contributions to Stomping Ground’s mission and presented with SG swag, gifts, and the coveted glowing cowboy hats. Here are this year’s biggest givers, the SG Angels:
- Lin Woodson
- Steve Childers
- Justin Wayne
- Tyler Vornberg
- Calvin Locascio
- David Parsons
- Josh Franklin
- Holly Bagwell
- Mike Christian
Lindsay then mentioned the enormous growth Stomping Ground has experienced over the past year and all of the volunteers, interns, and staff added to the team.
- Sydney Overton, former Improv for Life Intern, now Improv for Life Instructor
- Avy Taylor- Marketing Intern
- Camille Sturges-Administrative intern
- Nan Kirkpatrick- SG Blog intern
- Dylan Gravitt- Volunteer Manager on Duty
- Melanie Robinson- Improv For Life Teaching Assistant Volunteer
- Nick Vanden Heuvel- Executive Intern
- Chris Eisterhold-Tech Trainer & Tech Specialist
- Matt Fry- Marketing Director
- Daniel Shimek- Branding Manager
- Sara Jackson- Social Media Coordinator
- Kelly Kaufman- incoming Director of Development
- Milo Wilder- Improv Instructor
- Tim MIller- Improv Instructor
- Shenelle Peart- Improv Instructor
- Kelsey Satalino- Musical Improv Instructor
The Awards
Then, the award ceremony kicked off with the SG Instructor Awards. These awards are voted upon by the student community and were presented by Training Center Director Greg Mihalik. The list of winners is below:
Cheerleader Award for Most Encouraging Instructor: Shenelle Peart
Oprah Award for Most Inspiring Instructor: Whitney Peters
Tarantino Award for Instructor Most Likely to Make You Have Your Biggest Breakthrough Performance: Greg Mihalik.
Above & Beyonce Award for the Instructor Who Goes Above and Beyond: John Gerhardt
The SG Parent Award for the Instructor Most Likely to Listen to your Problems, Give you Advice, but Still Call you out on Your Sh*t: Lindsay Goldapp
Sketch Instructor Kristal Milazzo was presented with a special award by her students: The ‘Heighten, HEIGHTen, HEIGHTEN!!!!!!’ Award.
Stand-Up Comedy Instructor David Parson was presented with three awards by his various stand-up classes:
The Comedian that Passes the Bar Award
Best Ed Sheeran Impersonation
The Hot Rod Teacher Award
Andrew Missel, former Improv for Anxiety student and improv training center alumni presented Stomping Ground co-founder, Improv for Life Director, and instructor Andrea Baum with a special award chosen by her students:
Gilda Radner Award: The Instructor Who Made Us Believe We Can Do It
Operations Director Stephanie Bell then took the stage to present three special awards to staff members. These awards were chosen by Stephanie and the leadership team.
The Playground Award for the Staff Member Most likely to Make Any Moment Working with Them Fun: intern Hannah Hayes
The White Knight Award for the Staff Member Most Likely to Save the Day: Chris Eisterhold
The Mensch Award for the Best Staff: intern Daniel Foster
The Student Awards were next, nominated and chosen by the Stomping Ground instructors. Any improv student who had completed at least Level Two improv was eligible. These were presented by Greg Mihalik and the winners are listed below.
Oscar Award for the Student Most Likely to Win an Oscar For Their Acting: Ianne Warshawsky
Support Bra Award for the Student Most Likely to Support You in a Scene: Joel Mendez
Andy Kaufman Award for the Performer with the Most Characters: Nick Vanden Heuvel
Hiroshi Award for the Performer with Best Moves, Characters, and Lines to End Scenes: Natalia Trigo
Killer Award for the Performer Most Likely to Make you Die Laughing: Brandon Enriquez
Energizer Bunny Award for the Performer with the Most Energy: Chris Eisterhold
Olivia Newton John Award for the Most Physical Performer:…Will Holston
“Everybody Go” Award for the Performer Who Builds Community: Lin Woodson
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) Award for the Musical Improv Performer Most Likely to Jump Onstage and Sing: Nan Kirkpatrick
Madame Butterfly Award for the Performer with the Greatest Transformation: Tyler Vornberg
David Parsons presented two special awards to his stand-up students.
The Lion King Award for Best Vegan Takedown in a Standup Set: Brandon Johnson
The Donald Duck Award for Best Disney-Approved Standup Set: Sara Jackson
Sketch Instructor Kristal Milazzo couldn’t attend but Lindsay presented her special Sketch Comedy awards to Austin Mills. He received The Kevin MacDonald – I used to be on a comedy show in the 90’s” award for best overall student.
Before presenting the last awards of the night, Lindsay presented three special awards chosen by various members of leadership:
Showstopper Award for Best Producer. Daniel Shimek
The Shine Bright Like a Diamond Award. Liz Robinson
The Thunderdome Ultimate Tribute Award: Josh Reus, Brandon Enriquez, and Stephanie Jutras
The Performer & Show Awards were the last awards of the night and were voted upon by the SG community over the past few weeks. The winners are listed below:
Best Seasonal Show. My F*cked Up Thanksgiving.
Best Improv or Musical Improv Show. Broadway(ish)
Best Specialty, Variety or Sketch Show Reoccurring Show: Tuned Out Presents The Assembly!
Best Specialty, Variety or Sketch Show One Time Engagement: Outloud and Outlawed: Queer Variety Show! Camille Sturges and Sara Jackson were the producers presented with the award.
Best House Team: KEVIN!
Best Independent Team: Midnight Diner
Best Stand-Up Comedian.. Sara Jackson and Kate Greathouse
Best Musical Improviser. John Gerhardt & Lynsey Hale
Best Improviser: Melanie Robinson and Steven Martin
After many hugs, selfies, and more desserts, the party continued at The Ivy. This year’s SG Awards was a night to remember!
