On Monday evening, a group of local theater notables gathered at the National Theatre to announce the nominees for the 2015 Helen Hayes Awards. Of the 50 theaters and 188 productions that met eligibility requirements, 264 actors, ensembles, and productions received nods, representing 31 theaters. Leading the pack with 28 moninations is Arlington’s financially troubled Signature Theatre—the top productions were Beaches and The Threepenny Opera with seven each and Sunday in the Park With George, with six nods. Synetic, also in Arlington, wasn’t too far behind with 23 noms—its movement-based production of Twelfth Night garnered an impressive 11 nominations, tying with Theater Alliance’s Black Nativity, Imagination Stage’s The BFG, and Spamalot at Toby’s Dinner Theatre for highest number of nominations per production. Six companies earned their first-ever nominations: No Rules Theatre Company, which led the newbie contingent with six nods, followed by Factory 449 with four, Landless Theatre Company and Unexpected Stage Company with three each, Creative Cauldron with two, and Molotov Theatre Group with one. Among those at the tail end was the National Theatre, which hosted the nomination announcements and received a single nod for its holiday production of Pippin.
This year the awards, now in their 32nd year, are divided into two categories—“Hayes,” which include primarily Equity shows, and “Helen” for mainly non-Equity productions. The awards ceremony will be held Monday, April 6. Read on for a full list of the nominees; you can also watch the nomination announcements via webcast.
Outstanding Performer, Visiting Production
Caroline Bowman, Evita, The Kennedy Center
Bethan Cullinane, King Lear, Folger Theatre
Tovah Feldshuh, Golda’s Balcony, Theater J
Joseph Marcell, King Lear, Folger Theatre
Alex Mugnaioni, King Lear, Folger Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play—HELEN Production
Bonita Brisker, Seven Guitars, No Rules Theatre Company
Katy Carkuff, One Man, Two Guvnors, 1st Stage
Maggie Erwin, Failure: A Love Story, The Hub Theatre
Lisa Hodsoll, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Carolyn Kashner, Failure: A Love Story, The Hub Theatre
Irina Kavsadze, Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play—HAYES Production
Katie deBuys, Seminar, Round House Theatre
Sarah Marshall, Marie Antoinette, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Nancy Robinette, Tribes, Studio Theatre
Erin Weaver, Mother Courage and Her Children, Arena Stage
Emily Young, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Folger Theatre
The James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play—HELEN Production
Wayne Bennett, Seven Guitars, No Rules Theatre Company
Daniel Corey, One Man, Two Guvnors, 1st Stage
Michael Kevin Darnall, Failure: A Love Story, The Hub Theatre
Irakli Kavsadze, Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Alex Mills, Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), Synetic Theater
The James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play—HAYES Production
Zachary Fine, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Folger Theatre
Richard Gallagher, Tribes, Studio Theatre
Andy Grotelueschen, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Folger Theatre
Matthew McGee, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Scott Parkinson, Cock, Studio Theatre
Alexander Strain, Seminar, Round House Theatre
Michael Anthony Williams, Two Trains Running, Round House Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical—HELEN Production
David James, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
David Jennings, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Nick Lehan, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Darren McDonnell, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Jeffrey Shankle, SHREK The Musical, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Joshua Simon, Dani Girl, Unexpected Stage Company
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical—HAYES Production
Matthew A. Anderson, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ford’s Theatre
George Dvorsky, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Samuel Edgerly, Ordinary Days, Round House Theatre
Lawrence Redmond, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Bobby Smith, The Threepenny Opera, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical—HELEN Production
Miranda Medugno, Visible Language, WSC Avant Bard
Ines Nassara, Hair, The Keegan Theatre
Lynne Sigler, Memphis, The Musical, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Sarah Anne Sillers, Visible Language, WSC Avant Bard
Dani Stoller, Bat Boy: The Musical, 1st Stage
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical—HAYES Production
Natascia Diaz, The Threepenny Opera, Signature Theatre
Sherri L. Edelen, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Donna Migliaccio, Sunday in the Park With George, Signature Theatre
Nova Y. Payton, Elmer Gantry, Signature Theatre
Erin Weaver, Ordinary Days, Round House Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical—HELEN Production
G. Carlos Henderson, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Lee Liebeskind, Nero/Pseudo, WSC Avant Bard
Jimmy Mavrikes, Bat Boy: The Musical, 1st Stage
Lawrence B. Munsey, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Alan Naylor, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well & Living in Paris, Creative Cauldron
Roy Patten Jr., Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Bradley Foster Smith, Nero/Pseudo, WSC Avant Bard
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical—HAYES Production
Mitchell Jarvis, The Threepenny Opera, Signature Theatre
Sam Ludwig, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Kevin McAllister, Violet, Ford’s Theatre
Charlie Pollock, Elmer Gantry, Signature Theatre
Matthew James Thomas, Diner, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical—HELEN Production
Priscilla Cuellar, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Ny’a Johnson, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Thomascena Nelson, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Krislynn Perry, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Barbara Walsh, Carrie: The Musical, Studio Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical—HAYES Production
Mara Davi, Beaches, Signature Theatre
Erin Davie, Side Show, The Kennedy Center
Brynn O’Malley, Sunday in the Park With George, Signature Theatre
Emily Padgett, Side Show, The Kennedy Center
Alysha Umphress, Beaches, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play—HELEN Production
Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Seven Guitars, No Rules Theatre Company
Caroline Stefanie Clay, Gidion’s Knot, Forum Theatre and NextStop Theatre Company
Karina Hilleard, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Nanna Ingvarsson, The Amish Project, Factory 449
Nanna Ingvarsson, Terminus, Studio Theatre
Katie Ryan, Terminus, Studio Theatre
Irina Tsikurishvili, Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play—HAYES Production
Bianca Amato, Private Lives, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Kimberly Gilbert, Marie Antoinette, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Susan Lynskey, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Emily Townley, The Totalitarians, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Kathleen Turner, Mother Courage and Her Children, Arena Stage
Holly Twyford, Sex With Strangers, Signature Theatre
Dawn Ursula, We Are Proud to Present…, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play—HELEN Production
Ro Boddie, Seven Guitars, No Rules Theatre Company
Ben Cunis, Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Chris Dinolfo, Stuart Little, Adventure Theatre MTC
Dylan Myers, Terminus, Studio Theatre
Doug Wilder, One Man, Two Guvnors, 1st Stage
The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play—HAYES Production
Joseph Carlson, Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
James Caverly, Tribes, Studio Theatre
Rick Foucheux, Freud’s Last Session, Theater J
James Konicek, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Alex Mandell, Bad Jews, Studio Theatre
Ron Rifkin, Camp David, Arena Stage
Tom Story, The Wolfe Twins, Studio Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design—HELEN Production
Matthew M. Nielson, Abominable, The Hub Theatre
Matthew M. Nielson and Christopher Baine, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Thomas Sowers (Sound Designer) and Konstantine Lortkipanidze (Original Music), The Island of Dr. Moreau, Synetic Theater
Thomas Sowers (Sound Designer) and Konstantine Lortkipanidze (Original Music), Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Tom Teasley, The Love of the Nightingale, Constellation Theatre Company
Outstanding Sound Design—HAYES Production
Christopher Baine, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Christopher Baine, Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
Lindsay Jones, The Tallest Tree in the Forest, Arena Stage
Roc Lee (Sound Design) and James Sugg (Composer), Mother Courage and Her Children, Arena Stage
Ryan Rumery, Tribes, Studio Theatre
Eric Shimelonis, Marie Antoinette, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Outstanding Lighting Design—HELEN Production
Brian S. Allard, The Jungle Book, Adventure Theatre MTC
Colin K. Bills, Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
John Burkland, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Brittany Diliberto (Lighting Designer) and Riki K. (Multimedia Designer), The Island of Dr. Moreau, Synetic Theater
Heidi Eckwall Healing Wars Arena Stage
Cory Ryan Frank, La Senorita de Tacna/The Young Lady from Tacna, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design—HAYES Production
Jason Arnold (Lighting Designer) and Eric J. Van Wyk (Projection Designer), The BFG, Imagination Stage
Colin K. Bills, Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
Colin K. Bills (Lighting Designer) and Jared Mezzocchi (Video Designer), The Totalitarians, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Andrew Cissna, Sex With Strangers, Signature Theatre
Philip S. Rosenberg, Private Lives, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Outstanding Costume Design—HELEN Production
Kendra Rai, Beauty and the Beast, Synetic Theater
Kendra Rai, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Synetic Theater
Kendra Rai, Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Collin Ranney, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Collin Ranney, Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol, Adventure Theatre MTC
Collin Ranney, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Outstanding Costume Design—HAYES Production
Helen Huang, Marie Antoinette, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Frank Labovitz, The Threepenny Opera, Signature Theatre
Frank Labovitz, The Totalitarians, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Jeffrey Stolz, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Paul Tazewell, Side Show, The Kennedy Center
Outstanding Set Design—HELEN Production
Phil Charlwood, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Synetic Theater
Dan Conway, Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol, Adventure Theatre MTC
Adam Koch, Bat Boy: The Musical, 1st Stage
Collin Ranney, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
David Israel Reynoso (Set Designer) and Kate Freer (Media Designer), Healing Wars, Arena Stage
Klyph Stanford, Stuart Little, Adventure Theatre MTC
Greg Stevens, The Amish Project, Factory 449
Outstanding Set Design—HAYES Production
Tony Cisek, Two Trains Running, Round House Theatre
Simon Higlett, The Importance of Being Earnest, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Misha Kachman, Marie Antoinette, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
JD Madsen, Sex With Strangers, Signature Theatre
Eric J. Van Wyk, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Outstanding Choreography in a Play—HELEN Production
Jen Bevan, Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe, Molotov Theatre Group
Liz Lerman and Keith Thompson in collaboration with the performers, Healing Wars, Arena Stage
Irina Tsikurishvili, Beauty and the Beast, Synetic Theater
Irina Tsikurishvili (Choreographer) and Ben Cunis (Fight Choreographer), The Island of Dr. Moreau, Synetic Theater
Irina Tsikurishvili (Choreographer) and Ben Cunis (Fight Choreographer), Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Outstanding Choreography in a Play—HAYES Production
Ben Cunis, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Ben Cunis (Fight & Movement Choreographer) and Christopher D’Amboise (Choreographer), Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
Matthew Gardiner, Tender Napalm, Signature Theatre
Joe Isenberg, The Totalitarians, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Joe Isenberg (Fight Choreographer) and Paige Hernandez (Choreographer), We Are Proud to Present…, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
David Leong, Mother Courage and Her Children, Arena Stage
Daniel Pelzig, Private Lives, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical—HELEN Production
Michael J. Bobbitt, Miss Nelson is Missing, Adventure Theatre MTC
Princess Mhoon, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Mark Minnick, Mary Poppins, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Mark Minnick, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Christen Svingos, Memphis, The Musical, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical—HAYES Production
Byron Easley, Five Guys Named Moe, Arena Stage
Parker Esse, Fiddler on the Roof, Arena Stage
Parker Esse, Smokey Joe’s CafĂ©: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, Arena Stage
Dan Knechtges, Beaches, Signature Theatre
Susan Stroman, Little Dancer, The Kennedy Center
Anthony Van Laast, Side Show, The Kennedy Center
Outstanding Musical Direction—HELEN Production
Laura Brady, Dani Girl, Unexpected Stage Company
e’marcus Harper-Short, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Charles W. Johnson, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Landless Theatre Company
Jake Null, Hair, The Keegan Theatre
Ross Scott Rawlings, Memphis, The Musical, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Ross Scott Rawlings, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction—HAYES Production
Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Gabriel Mangiante, Beaches, Signature Theatre
Jay Crowder, Violet, Ford’s Theatre
Jon Kalbfleisch, Sunday in the Park With George, Signature Theatre
Gabriel Mangiante, The Threepenny Opera, Signature Theatre
Christopher Youstra, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Outstanding Director of a Musical—HELEN Production
Melissa Baughman, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Landless Theatre Company
Christopher Goodrich, Dani Girl, Unexpected Stage Company
Mark Minnick, Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Steven Royal, Bat Boy: The Musical, 1st Stage
Eric Ruffin, Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Outstanding Director of a Musical—HAYES Production
Bill Condon, Side Show, The Kennedy Center
Matthew Gardiner, Sunday in the Park With George, Signature Theatre
Matthew Gardiner, The Threepenny Opera, Signature Theatre
Jason Loewith, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Eric Schaeffer, Beaches, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Director of a Play—HELEN Production
Matt Bassett, Failure: A Love Story, The Hub Theatre
Colin Hovde and Nathaniel Mendez, The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Paata Tsikurishvili, Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
Holly Twyford, The Amish Project, Factory 449
Jerry Whiddon, Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol, Adventure Theatre MTC
Outstanding Director of a Play—HAYES Production
Maria Aitken, Private Lives, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Jessie Austrian and Ben Steinfeld, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Folger Theatre
Kathryn Chase Bryer and Eric J. Van Wyk, The BFG, Imagination Stage
Will Davis, Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
David Muse, Cock, Studio Theatre
Aaron Posner, Sex With Strangers, Signature Theatre
Serge Seiden, Bad Jews, Studio Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical—HELEN Production
Bat Boy: The Musical, 1st Stage
Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Hair, The Keegan Theatre
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well & Living in Paris, Creative Cauldron
Memphis, The Musical, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical—HAYES Production
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ford’s Theatre
Beaches, Signature Theatre
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Side Show, The Kennedy Center
Sunday in the Park With George, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play—HELEN Production
Failure: A Love Story, The Hub Theatre
Healing Wars, Arena Stage
The Island of Dr. Moreau, Synetic Theater
Seven Guitars, No Rules Theatre Company
Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play—HAYES Production
Bad Jews, Studio Theatre
The BFG, Imagination Stage
Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Folger Theatre
We Are Proud to Present…, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical
Motti Lerner, The Admission, Theater J
Andrew Hinderaker, Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
Liz Lerman (Concept); Liz Lerman and Bill Pullman (Original text sources curators), devised text developed in collaboration with the performers; Healing Wars, Arena Stage
Lauren Gunderson, I And You, Olney Theatre Center
Steve Yockey, Pluto, Forum Theatre
Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, The Totalitarians, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Outstanding Play or Musical Adaptation
Ben Cunis and Peter Cunis, Beauty and the Beast, Synetic Theater
Patrick McDonnell, Aaron Posner, and Erin Weaver; Andy Mitton (Music & Lyrics), The Gift of Nothing, The Kennedy Center
Nathan Weinberger, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Synetic Theater
Derek Goldman, Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), Synetic Theater
Ken Ludwig and Jack Ludwig, Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol, Adventure Theatre MTC
Outstanding Visiting Production
Brief Encounter, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Famous Puppet Death Scenes, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Golda’s, Balcony Theater J
King Lear, Folger Theatre
Pippin, The National Theatre
Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences
The BFG, Imagination Stage
Cinderella: The Remix, Imagination Stage
The Jungle Book, Adventure Theatre MTC
Pinocchio!, Faction of Fools Theatre Company and NextStop Theatre Company
Stuart Little, Adventure Theatre MTC
Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol Adventure Theatre MTC
Outstanding Musical—HELEN Production
Bat Boy: The Musical, 1st Stage
Black Nativity, Theater Alliance
Hair, The Keegan Theatre
Memphis, The Musical, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Spamalot, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Landless Theatre Company
Outstanding Musical—HAYES Production
Beaches, Signature Theatre
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Olney Theatre Center
Side Show, The Kennedy Center
Sunday in the Park With George, Signature Theatre
The Threepenny Opera, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Play—HELEN Production
The Amish Project, Factory 449
Failure: A Love Story, The Hub Theatre
Healing Wars, Arena Stage
Twelfth Night, Synetic Theater
The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theater Alliance
Outstanding Play-HAYES Production
Bad Jews, Studio Theatre
Cock, Studio Theatre
Colossal, Olney Theatre Center
Mother Courage and Her Children, Arena Stage
Tribes, Studio Theatre
The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Folger Theatre
The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company
Flying V