Creative Arts Emmys 2014

Orange is the New Black cast mates Laverne Cox, Uzo Aduba, and Natasha Lyonne at the 2014 Creative Arts Emmys.

Though the Primetime Emmy Awards aren’t until next week, Sunday night’s Creative Arts Emmys was an inspiring event that celebrated many artists and masters of the small screen. Indiewire’s Liz Shannon Miller explains, “The Creative Arts Emmys are an opportunity for some of television’s hardest working talents to be honored for their accomplishments – they are also largely overlooked in favor of next week’s show,” of the way in which this awards show is often overlooked, despite its recognition of some of the most talented individuals in the industry.

Despite how the Creative Arts Emmys are considered the preview to the main event, this evening still contained more than 80 awards categories, and yielded a passionate, emotional response from many Emmy winners and audience members. Uzoamaka “Uzo” Aduba accepted her first-ever Emmy for her portrayal of Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on Orange is the New Black. Aduba, an accomplished theater actress, shed tears of joy as she accepted the award that honored her first major television role.

Uzo Aduba Creative Arts Emmys

Uzo Aduba, proudly admiring her Emmy.

“I feel so full, that’s why the tears come out,” explained Aduba in the pressroom after the award show. “I’m stuffed really. I’m beyond full. My cup runneth over right now. I feel absolutely all of those things. I feel full of joy, like a fountain. Mission accomplished,” she said, while exuding the very joyfulness she spoke of.

Orange is the New Black took home multiple awards at the Creative Arts Emmys for editing and casting, a nod to the behind the scenes efforts that go into making a popular television series. Other winners include Saturday Night Live, which won Emmys for directing, makeup, and styling, and Jimmy Fallon, who won the award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his hosting duties on SNL. Bob’s Burgers won for Outstanding Animated Program, House of Cards won the award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series, and Harry Shearer was honored with the Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work on The Simpsons.

Among the dozens and dozens of awards categories and winners at the Creative Arts Emmys, Aduba’s gracious, joyful acceptance was certainly a highlight of the evening. Stay tuned for more Primetime Emmy award winners at next week’s award show.

Images: via Instagram