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Theatre Washington has unveiled the nominees for the 41st annual Helen Hayes Awards, scheduled to take place on May 19 at the iconic The Anthem. These nominations recognize outstanding theatrical productions across the Washington, DC area from the previous calendar year.
Amy Austin, President & CEO of Theatre Washington, led the announcement alongside a group of prominent DC-area performers including Dylan Arredondo, Kelli Blackwell, and others. Austin highlighted the significance of the awards, stating, “Every year, the Helen Hayes Awards allow us to celebrate our exceptional collaboration. They send a message to the world that the performing arts scene in the DC region is among the finest globally. Our theatre community plays a crucial role in fostering art, empathy, and human connection.”
This year’s nominees stem from an expansive pool of 165 eligible productions, with categories spanning across 41 different areas. Productions were assessed by a panel of 51 judges who meticulously reviewed 2,188 individual works including aspects such as design, direction, choreography, and writing. The productions considered included 57 musicals, 108 plays, and 37 world premieres.
Signature Theatre and The Kennedy Center were the top contenders, earning 25 and 24 nominations respectively. Notable productions include *The Nance* at 1st Stage with 11 nominations, *Private Jones* at Signature Theatre with 10, and *Jaja’s African Hair Braiding* at Arena Stage, which garnered 9 nominations.
Robert Hooks, an influential figure in theatre and activism, will receive the 2025 Helen Hayes Tribute. A native of Washington, DC, Hooks has been pivotal in creating significant Black theatre companies such as New York’s Group Theatre Workshop and the Negro Ensemble Company. He has a storied career on Broadway, featuring in original productions like Lorraine Hansberry’s *A Raisin in the Sun*, earning a Tony nomination along the way. In addition to his theatrical achievements, Hooks has made a mark on television as a detective in *N.Y.P.D.* and has been a notable civil rights advocate, having collaborated with figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. In 1973, he testified before Congress regarding the arts.
The Helen Hayes Awards, named after the legendary actress and Washington native, have celebrated excellence in the region’s professional theatre for over 40 years.
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical (Hayes)
Matthew Gardiner – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Signature Theatre
Denis Jones – Bye Bye Birdie, The Kennedy Center
Tony Thomas – Mexodus, Mosaic Theater Company & Baltimore Center Stage
Andy Blankenbuehler – NINE, The Kennedy Center
Billy Bustamante – Soft Power, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical (Helen)
Ahmad Maaty – American Psycho, Monumental Theatre Company
Mark Minnick – Jersey Boys, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Valeria Cossu – Mummy in the Closet: Evita’s Return, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Ashleigh King – She Persisted, Adventure Theatre MTC
Mark Minnick – The Sound of Music, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Outstanding Choreography in a Play (Hayes)
Ryan Phillips – Covenant, Theater Alliance
Tony Thomas – Metamorphoses, Folger Theatre
Tony Thomas – The Colored Museum, Studio Theatre
Ashleigh King – The Sensational Sea Mink-Ettes, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Casey Kaleba – Topdog/Underdog, Round House Theatre
Outstanding Choreography in a Play (Helen)
Bess Kaye – Coriolanus, Avant Bard & Longacre Lea
Irina Tsikurishvili – Hamlet …the rest is silence, Synetic Theater
Ryan Sellers & Mark A. Rhea – Noises Off, The Keegan Theatre
Ryan Sellers – Off the Page, Arts on the Horizon
Jennifer Hopkins – The Nance, 1st Stage
Outstanding Musical Direction (Hayes)
Jon Kalbfleisch – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Signature Theatre
Lily Ling – NINE, The Kennedy Center
Ben Moss – Penelope, Signature Theatre
Myrna Conn – Private Jones, Signature Theatre
Rob Morrison – Where the Mountain Meets the Sea, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction (Helen)
Marika Countouris – American Psycho, Monumental Theatre Company
Ross Scott Rawlings – Jersey Boys, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Rachel Sandler – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Compass Rose Theater
Joe Walsh – The Nance, 1st Stage
Outstanding Costume Design (Hayes)
Erik Teague – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Signature Theatre
Dede Ayite & Nikiya Mathis – Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Mika Eubanks – Metamorphoses, Folger Theatre
Paris Francesca – Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood, Imagination Stage
Moyenda Kulemeka – The Colored Museum, Studio Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design (Helen)
Rodrigo Muñoz – Las hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters), GALA Hispanic Theatre
Paris Francesca – She Persisted, Adventure Theatre MTC
Tommy Malek – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Compass Rose Theater
Kendra Rai – The Nance, 1st Stage
Janine Sunday & Sarah King – The Sound of Music, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design (Hayes)
Colin K. Bills – Covenant, Theater Alliance
Jai Morjaria – MACBETH, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Mextly Couzin – Mexodus, Mosaic Theater Company & Baltimore Center Stage
Cory Pattak – NINE, The Kennedy Center
Jen Schriever – Private Jones, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design (Helen)
Dylan Uremovich – Astro Boy and the God of Comics, Flying V
Brian S. Allard – Hamlet …the rest is silence, Synetic Theater
Hailey LaRoe – Las hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters), GALA Hispanic Theatre
Alberto Segarra – The Nance, 1st Stage
Sage Green – The Woman In Black, The Keegan Theatre
Outstanding Set Design (Hayes)
Beowulf Boritt – Avaaz, Olney Theatre Center
Gisela Estrada – Covenant, Theater Alliance
Sophia Tepermeister – Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood, Imagination Stage
Christopher & Justin Swader – Private Jones, Signature Theatre
Natsu Onoda Power – The Colored Museum, Studio Theatre
Outstanding Set Design (Helen)
Patti Kalil – Astro Boy and the God of Comics, Flying V
Matthew J. Keenan – Noises Off, The Keegan Theatre
Johnny Weissgerber – The Moors, Faction of Fools Theatre Company
Jonathan Dahm Robertson – The Nance, 1st Stage
Matthew J. Keenan & Cindy Landrum Jacobs – Webster’s Bitch, The Keegan Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design (Hayes)
David Lamont Wilson – Covenant, Theater Alliance
Justin Ellington – Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Christopher Shutt – MACBETH, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Mikhail Fiksel – Mexodus, Mosaic Theater Company & Baltimore Center Stage
Eric Norris – Private Jones, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design (Helen)
Madeline ‘Mo’ Oslejsek – Astro Boy and the God of Comics, Flying V
Dan Martin & Tony Angelini – Noises Off, The Keegan Theatre
Jennifer O’Malley – Summertime, Solas Nua
Marcus Kyd – The Tragedie of Macbeth, Taffety Punk Theatre Company
Brandon Cook – The Woman In Black, The Keegan Theatre
Outstanding Media/Projection Design (Hayes)
Stefania Bulbarella – Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Nicholas Hussong – Next to Normal, Round House Theatre & Barrington Stage Company
Patrick W. Lord – Private Jones, Signature Theatre
Kelly Colburn – The Colored Museum, Studio Theatre
Hannah Wasileski – The Lehman Trilogy, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Outstanding Media/Projection Design (Helen)
Hailey LaRoe – A Bright Room Called Day, Nu Sass Productions & Pinky Swear Productions
Mark Costello – Astro Boy and the God of Comics, Flying V
Hailey LaRoe – Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, Adventure Theatre MTC
Luis Garcia – Laughs in Spanish, 1st Stage
Kelly Colburn – Postcards from Ihatov, 1st Stage
Hailey LaRoe – She Persisted, Adventure Theatre MTC
Outstanding Performer, Non-Resident Production
Rachel Simone Webb – & Juliet, The Kennedy Center
John Rubinstein – Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, Olney Theatre Center
Julia Masli – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Jamaal Fields-Green – MJ the Musical, The National Theatre
Josiah Benson & Bane Griffith – MJ the Musical, The National Theatre
Alizé Cruz – SIX, The National Theatre
Chani Maisonet – SIX, The National Theatre
Danielle Mendoza – SIX, The National Theatre
Gaby Albo – SIX, The National Theatre
Tasia Jungbauer – SIX, The National Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical (Hayes)
Sherri L. Edelen – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Signature Theatre
Tracy Lynn Olivera – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Signature Theatre
Caroline Aaron – Bye Bye Birdie, The Kennedy Center
Carolee Carmello – NINE, The Kennedy Center
Erin Weaver – Private Jones, Signature Theatre
Beanie Feldstein – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Kennedy Center
Kevin McHale – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Kennedy Center
Bonnie Milligan – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Kennedy Center
Nina White – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Kennedy Center
Denée Benton – tick, tick… BOOM!, The Kennedy Center
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical (Helen)
Leela Dawson – A Chorus Line, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Noah Mutterperl – American Psycho, Monumental Theatre Company
Nina-Sophia Pacheco – Desperate Measures, Constellation Theatre Company
Ben Clark – Jersey Boys, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Patrick Gover – Jersey Boys, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Jordyn Taylor – She Persisted, Adventure Theatre MTC
Victoria Gómez – She Persisted, Adventure Theatre MTC
Omar Said – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Compass Rose Theater
Shakil Azizi – The Drowsy Chaperone, Workhouse Arts Center
Emily Signor – The Sound of Music, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Play (Hayes)
Raven Lorraine – Covenant, Theater Alliance
Dani Stoller – Hester Street, Theater J
Awa Sal Secka – Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Jordan Rice – Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Tiffany Renee Johnson – Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Ben Turner – MACBETH, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Dani Stoller – Prayer for the French Republic, Theater J
Ethan J. Miller – Prayer for the French Republic, Theater J
Renea S. Brown – Sojourners, Round House Theatre
Awa Sal Secka – Where the Mountain Meets the Sea, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Play (Helen)
Kimberly Gilbert – Coriolanus, Avant Bard & Longacre Lea
DeJeanette Horne – Cracking Zeus, Spooky Action Theater
Lolita Marie – Cracking Zeus, Spooky Action Theater
Luz Nicolás – Las hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters), GALA Hispanic Theatre
Brigid Wallace Harper – Noises Off, The Keegan Theatre
Ryan Sellers – Noises Off, The Keegan Theatre
Rebecca Ballinger – The Moors, Faction of Fools Theatre Company
Michael Innocenti – The Nance, 1st Stage
Patrick Joy – The Nance, 1st Stage
Irene Hamilton – Webster’s Bitch, The Keegan Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play (Hayes)
Michael Shayan – Avaaz, Olney Theatre Center
Renea S. Brown – Covenant, Theater Alliance
Indira Varma – MACBETH, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Ralph Fiennes – MACBETH, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Jon Hudson Odom – Metamorphoses, Folger Theatre
Julius Thomas III – Primary Trust, Signature Theatre
Jordan Bellow – The Comeuppance, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company & The Wilma Theatre
Edward Gero – The Lehman Trilogy, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Mark Nelson – The Lehman Trilogy, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Yao Dogbe – Topdog/Underdog, Round House Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play (Helen)
Devin Nikki Thomas – Is God Is, Constellation Theatre Company
Morgan Danielle Day – Is God Is, Constellation Theatre Company
DeJeanette Horne – Sunset Baby, Anacostia Playhouse
Shawn Sebastian Narr – Sunset Baby, Anacostia Playhouse
Tierra Burke – Sunset Baby, Anacostia Playhouse
Michael Russotto – The Nance, 1st Stage
Curtis McNeil – The Shawshank Redemption, NextStop Theatre
Lise Bruneau – The Tragedie of Macbeth, Taffety Punk Theatre Company
Noah Mutterperl – The Woman In Black, The Keegan Theatre
Kecia Deroly – Zora, The Essential Theatre
Outstanding Director of a Play (Hayes)
Autumn Angelettie – Covenant, Theater Alliance
Whitney White – Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Simon Godwin – MACBETH, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Psalmayene 24 – Metamorphoses, Folger Theatre
Hayley Finn – Prayer for the French Republic, Theater J
Outstanding Director of a Play (Helen)
Dylan Arredondo – Astro Boy and the God of Comics, Flying V
Adrián Alea – Las hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters), GALA Hispanic Theatre
Mark A. Rhea – Noises Off, The Keegan Theatre
Deidra LaWan Starnes – Sunset Baby, Anacostia Playhouse
Nick Olcott – The Nance, 1st Stage
Josh Sticklin – The Woman In Black, The Keegan Theatre
Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical Adaptation
Sharyn Rothstein & Joel Waggoner – Hester Street, Theater J
Cristina Garcia – Las hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters), GALA Hispanic Theatre
Dahlak Brathwaite & Khiyon Hursey – Long Way Down, Olney Theatre Center
Natsu Onoda Power – Postcards from Ihatov, 1st Stage
Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical
Matthew Libby – Data, Arena Stage
Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, & Christopher Dimond – Finn, The Kennedy Center
Miyoko Conley – Human Museum, Rorschach Theatre
Brian Quijada & Nygel D. Robinson – Mexodus, Mosaic Theater Company & Baltimore Center Stage
Marshall Pailet – Private Jones, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Production – PLAY (Hayes)
Avaaz – Olney Theatre Center
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding – Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theater
MACBETH – Shakespeare Theatre Company
Metamorphoses – Folger Theatre
Prayer for the French Republic – Theater J
Outstanding Production – PLAY (Helen)
Astro Boy and the God of Comics – Flying V
Hamlet …the rest is silence – Synetic Theater
Noises Off – The Keegan Theatre
Sunset Baby – Anacostia Playhouse
The Nance – 1st Stage
The Pliant Girls – Nu Sass Productions & Theatre Prometheus
Outstanding Production – MUSICAL (Hayes)
Bye Bye Birdie – The Kennedy Center
Mexodus – Mosaic Theater Company & Baltimore Center Stage
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood – Imagination Stage
Private Jones – Signature Theatre
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – The Kennedy Center
Outstanding Production – MUSICAL (Helen)
Jersey Boys – Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Junie B. Jones, The Musical – Adventure Theatre MTC
Merrily We Roll Along – The Keegan Theatre
She Persisted – Adventure Theatre MTC
The Drowsy Chaperone – Workhouse Arts Center
The Sound of Music – Toby’s Dinner Theatre
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