For the second year in a row, the organization will donate $10,000 to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The Column Awards is the only awards organization in the nation that donates their earnings, after operating expenses, to this charity and has remained on the Angel giving level with BC/EFA.

The gala will begin with a cocktail reception at 7 PM, followed by the 8 PM ceremony, and is co-sponsored by the Garland Summer Musicals Guild.

"The Garland Summer Musicals Guild is proud to co-sponsor The Column Awards this year," said GSM founding producer Patty Granville in a statement. "It’s exciting for the Gala to return to Garland since this was where it all began."

The first awards ceremony, created by Garcia 13 years ago, was made possible with the support of Granville and the GSM Guild.

The Column Awards honor excellence in theatre within the entire Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The organization honors both Equity and non-Equity theatre companies without regard to budget or venue size. The Patty Granville Performing Arts Center is located at 300 N. 5th Street, Garland, TX. For more information, a list of nominations and tickets, visit www.thecolumnawards.org.