Pull-Tight Players’ community of artists and volunteers arrived bedecked in the blue and gold of lapis lazuli to celebrate the accomplishments of its 2024-2025 season. Banquet co-chairs Mark Buchanan and J.T. Landry led the annual Knot Awards ceremony at the Elks Lodge in Franklin, Tenn.

Preceding the conferring of awards was a review of the season’s shows by insult comic, “Jon Rickles.” His good-natured barbs and witticisms produced many laughs and not a few groans.

Outgoing board of directors president Johnny Peppers made some season-summarizing remarks before introducing incoming president Cabot Pyle.

Winter Wonderettes star Syndey Hooper sang “Memory” from Cats as we looked back on the contributions of three Pull-Tight players we lost during the past season: Adele Akin, Jayne Swafford Davis, and Alan Mancuso.

Following is the list of Knot award nominees and recipients.

Techie and Congeniality Awards

Something Rotten!

• Techie – Bre Hall, Choreographer
• Congeniality – Annalee McConnell

The Outsider

• Techie – Dustin Greenleaf, Stage Manager
• Congeniality – Aleah Christian

Winter Wonderettes

• Techie – Jeanne Drone, Stage Manager
• Congeniality – Melanie McBurney

Deathtrap

• Techie – Glenn Whelan, Lighting Execution and Sound Design
• Congeniality – Myna Sowell

Silent Sky

• Techie – Tim Massey, Set Designer
• Congeniality – Carmela Hofstee

The Spitfire Grill

• Techie – Amy May, Costume Designer
• Congeniality – Art Peach

Acting Awards

• Best Lead Actress – Rachel Sinclair as Louise Peakes, The Outsider
• Best Lead Actor – John Scamardella as William Shakespeare, Something Rotten!
• Best Supporting Actress – Tammy Sutherland as Williamina Fleming, Silent Sky
• Best Supporting Actor – Jon Kieffner as Arthur Vance, The Outsider
• Best Featured Actress – Myna Sowell as Helga Ten Dorp, Deathtrap
• Best Featured Actor – Roger Csaki as Brother Jeremiah, Something Rotten!
• Best Ensemble Actress – Lauren Sage as Ensemble, Something Rotten!
• Best Ensemble Actor – Levi Smith as Ensemble, The Spitfire Grill

Board of Directors Awards

• Newcomer of the Year – Glenn Whelan
• Jim Highfill Techie of the Year – Steven Steele
• Behind the Scenes – Myna Sowell and Philip Johnson
• Cam Davis Spirit Award – Cindy Davis Massey

Artist Member Awards

• Player of the Year – Joey Echeverria
• Hall of Fame – Tim Massey

Saturday, July 12
6 p.m. cocktail hour
7 p.m. dinner
Elks Lodge of Franklin
485 Oak Meadow Drive

Join us for the 2025 Knot Awards Banquet. We will celebrate a memorable 56th season in style with cocktails, dinner, and awards to recognize the season’s sensational shows, spectacular performances, and significant contributions from our artist membership.

Lapis lazuli is traditionally associated with a 56th anniversary. We are taking inspiration from the stone’s beautiful deep blue color and veins of gold for our celebration. Please don your most festive and elegant blues, golds and/or whites as we experience an unforgettable evening of “Grecian Glam.”

Hosts will present Pull-Tight’s annual awards for best actors and actresses, Player of the Year, and the Hall of Fame, among others. Individual show participants have also been casting votes for congeniality and technical volunteers, with those awards set to be announced during the event.

The $25 attendance price will include dinner catered by Chef Kevin (The Pop Up Chef). There will also be a cash bar.