Most Valuable Performers

The Actors' NET producers consider ourselves fortunate to have assembled an extraordinary repertory company. At the end of each season, we attempt to single out two performers who have stood out as leaders onstage, backstage, and offstage. To a most distinguished list of previous winners, we now add the names of our 2002-2003 winners: Cat Miller and Ed Patton.

CAT MILLER is a tremendously gifted young performer. Since tackling the difficult role of Natalie in last summer's world-premiere, Dreamers, Cat has devoted herself unselfishly to the NET. She was a party girl in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, choreographed and was a featured performer in Meet Me In St. Louis, and was Marc Antony's wife of convenience in Antony and Cleopatra.

Cat choreographed and shined onstage in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and served as assistant director. In addition, she'll be busy choreographing for us this summer. For all her efforts in the past year, we are in her debt.

ED PATTON has just about done it all this past year. He was the villain in last summer's Dreamers, the Judge and Elijah in Inherit the Wind, the catatonic and foul-mouthed Mr. Ruckley in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, partiarchal Mr. Smith in Meet Me In St. Louis, and assumed multiple roles in the first two installments of the Toga Trilogy, Caesar and Cleopatra and Antony and Cleopatra. When not onstage, he frequently labours behind the scenes.

Ed came to us a few years back to join the cast of 1776. His growth as an actor has been exciting to watch. Many discerning patrons have commented upon his versatility -- switching from drama to comedy with apparent ease. But his admiring coworkers know, above all, how hard Ed works at his craft -- always striving to improve. Whether a bit part or a lead, like his performance of Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Ed Patton gives it everything he's got. Keep watching for him. He'll be there. We know of no harder worker, or better man.

-Cheryl and Joe Doyle, Co-Founders, Actors' NET