Krystal Drake Named Skylight Music Theatre’s 2019 Lee Dougherty Ross Debut Artist Award Winner
Milwaukee, Wis. (May 1, 2020) — Krystal Drake has been named Skylight Music Theatre’s 2019 Lee Dougherty Ross Debut Artist Award winner. Each season Skylight recognizes an up and coming performer who has made his or her debut at Skylight Music Theatre.
Drake was featured as Leading Player in Skylight’s 2018 production of Pippin. The award is named for Dougherty Ross, a Milwaukee voice coach and teacher who is a long-time supporter of Skylight.
“We are happy to award the Lee Dougherty Ross Debut Artist Award to Krystal Drake,” said former Skylight Artistic Director Ray Jivoff. “Krystal wowed everyone in her Skylight debut role as the Leading Player in Pippin. She graduated from UW-Milwaukee, has performed throughout Milwaukee and recently appeared in a new musical called Pride & Joy: The Marvin Gaye Musical. Krystal has unmistakable star power, a beautiful voice, intelligence and acting chops. She is an ideal candidate for this recognition.”
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Drake is a UW-Milwaukee 2009 Theatre Arts graduate who has performed locally, regionally, and on TV with BET Network. She recently appeared in Pride & Joy: The Marvin Gaye Musical. Drake has studied acting at the renowned Ivana Chubbuck Studio in Los Angeles, Calif. Past theatre credits include: Strange Snow at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Nubian Stories at Renaissance Theaterworks, The Bed at Theatre LILA, and Black Nativity at Black Arts MKE & Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
Drake will receive her award from former Artistic Director Ray Jivoff and perform in Skylight Sings: A Virtual Concert to benefit Skylight Music Theatre on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 7 p.m. CST.
About Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre celebrates its 60th anniversary during the 2019-2020 season. Skylight’s mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition. Skylight presents productions “Skylight Style” – bringing fresh approaches or interesting twists to music theatre works, creating meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but with the audience as well. The beautiful, intimate Cabot Theatre allows audiences to feel close to the powerful emotions on stage.