Award of Excellence
Bettina Hansen
The Seattle Times

"Badminton Royale"

Bret Fetzer, left, and Charlie Rathbun, right, of 4Culture, battle Seattle Symphony during Badminton Royale V, a fifth-annual battle of local arts organizations at On the Boards theatre in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle Tuesday September 10, 2013. What started as an innocent game in the parking lot of a pre-season tailgate party five years ago, blossomed into a highly organized, competitive badminton match with smack-talking and fancy racquet moves to match the outfits. All in all, 31 local institutions faced off over the course of the whole day, with Seattle Repertory Theatre emerging as the Badminton Royale champions, Velocity Dance Center winning the "Stick to the Arts" award and Reel Girls bringing home to prize for most artistic playing, among others. The event has grown to be so popular that there was a waiting list for teams this year. "I don't know why," said Erin Jorgensen, in communications at On the Boards. "Maybe they need a break from art, or something."