The selection committee for The Stranger's Genius Award in Theatre has kept its eye on Strawshop artists for years.  In the words of the newspaper, the awards "allow us to unabashedly rain praise on local artists and writers doing smart, original work. We investigate and profile noteworthy emerging artists and -- most importantly -- elevate four rising stars (one each working in film, literature, visual art, and performance) and one arts organization to Genius status."

Gabriel Baron won the honor in 2005.  In addition to his acting in Life of Galileo, Gabe was also part of the original team that created Fellow Passengers at Strawshop in 2004. He returned to direct Dario Fo's Accidental Death of an Anarchist in 2005, and performed as Charles Lang in The Water Engine in 2007.

The 2007 Stranger Theatre Genius was actor Amy Thone.  A friend to the theatre since its beginning, Amy finally graced its stage last fall when she played the Abbess Madre Maria del Pila in The Bridge of San Luis Rey. She returns to Strawshop in the two-woman Leni in the summer of 2008. In writing her bio for The Stranger, Brendan Kiley quoted Amy as saying “If you're going to take a risk, it has to be supported by discipline.” 

That sentiment was shared by writer Charles Mudede who presented the 2007 Genius Award for an Organization to Strawshop artistic director Greg Carter at a ceremony in September. Mudede wrote, “The kinds of plays that the company produces have this defining theme: The world is not as it ought to be. And the reason why the world is perverted, upside down, is because the best of humanity is continually challenged and undone by the worst of humanity.” 

The Organization Genius Award puts Strawshop--after just three years of existence--in company with some of Seattle's most acclaimed institutions, like On the Boards and the Frye Art Museum.