Below are the nominees for the 2015-2016 theatrical season.
THEATER FOR YOUTH
2015 – 2016 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Cowboy in the Kitchen Pollyanna Theatre Company
Nominees:
Alice in Wonderland ZACH Theatre and Underbelly
James and the Giant Peach ZACH Theatre
The Steadfast Tin Soldier Summer Stock Austin
Tomás and the Library Lady ZACH Theatre and UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Bethany Lynn Corey Cowboy in the Kitchen, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Nominees:
Katie Bender and Gabrielle Reisman Alice in Wonderland, ZACH Theatre and Underbelly
Tamara Carroll
Tomás and the Library Lady, ZACH Theatre and UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Abe Reybold James and the Giant Peach, ZACH Theatre
Allen Robertson The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Actor
Winner:
Jesus I. Valles (Grandma Beetle)
Just a Minute!: A Día de los Muertos Play, Scottish Rite Theater
Nominees:
Ben Bazán (Tomás, ensemble)
Tomás and the Library Lady, ZACH Theatre and UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Ben Gibson (Cowboy) Cowboy in the Kitchen, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Gustavo Gomez (Earthworm) James and the Giant Peach, ZACH Theatre
Ryan Wilson (Bruce) Trouble on the Double, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Outstanding Actress
Winner:
Lena Owens (Zoey) The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Summer Stock Austin
Nominees:
Laura Freeman (Ms. Friezowitz, Old Lady Winter)
A Long Winter’s Night (in Texas), Scottish Rite Theater
Megan Ortiz (Pippi) Pippi Longstocking, Scottish Rite Theater
Preya Patel (Cat) The Town Musicians of Mumbai, Scottish Rite Theater
Madison Weinhoffer (Red Queen, Cheshire Cat, Bottlebrush)
Alice in Wonderland, ZACH Theatre and Underbelly
Musical Theatre
2015 – 2016 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
The Gondoliers Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin
Nominees:
The Addams Family Summer Stock Austin
Carnival Summer Stock Austin
Love Me Tinder Heckle Her
Sunday in the Park With George
Austin Shakespeare and Armstrong Community Music School
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Michelle Haché The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin
Nominees:
Adrienne Dawes Love Me Tinder, Heckle Her
Ginger Morris The Addams Family, Summer Stock Austin
Emily Rankin The Last Five Years, Sherrod Curry Productions
Scott Thompson Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Lead Actor
Winner:
Michael Ferstenfeld (Baker)
Into the Woods, Trinity Street Players and Austin Jewish Repertory Theatre
Nominees:
Connor Barr (Paul) Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Andrew Foote (Che) Evita, ZACH Theatre
Craig McKerley (Seymour) Little Shop of Horrors, City Theatre Company
Christopher Montalvo (Burrs) The Wild Party, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Outstanding Lead Actress
Winners:
Jill Blackwood (Mary Poppins) Mary Poppins, ZACH Theatre
Sarah Marie Curry (Jamie) The Last Five Years, Sherrod Curry Productions
Nominees:
Kara Bliss (Dot, Marie) Sunday in the Park With George,
Austin Shakespeare and Armstrong Community Music School
Sara Burke (adult Fiona) Shrek, Zilker Theatre Productions
Ryan Smith (Baker’s Wife)
Into the Woods, Trinity Street Players and Austin Jewish Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Featured Actor
Winner:
Jonathan Itchon (Q-Mate 02900) The Mikado: Reclaimed,
Generic Ensemble Company, VORTEX Repertory Company and Lucky Chaos Productions
Nominees:
Heath Allyn (Orin Scravello, ensemble) Little Shop of Horrors, City Theatre Company
Andrew Cannata (Lord Farquaad) Shrek, Zilker Theatre Productions
Arthur DiBianca (Grand Inquisitor Don Alhambra del Bolero)
The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan Society of AustinJ
James Springer (waiter, man #3, Casey’s father, Blaze) First Date, Austin Theatre Project
Outstanding Featured Actress
Winner:
Cené Hale (ensemble) Love Me Tinder, Heckle Her
Nominees:
Michelle Alexander (Miss Andrew, Mrs. Corey, ensemble) Mary Poppins, ZACH Theatre
Mariel Ardila (Morticia Addams) The Addams Family, Summer Stock Austin
Corinna Browning (Casilda) The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin
Michelle Cheney (Criminologist) The Rocky Horror Show, Austin Theatre Project
Comedy
2015 – 2016 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Doper Than Dope Institution Theater, Base Reality Productions and Heckle Her
Nominees:
The Back Pack Presents (Spring 2016) Back Pack
Fixing Timon of Athens Rude Mechanicals
Siege of the Dark Nebula La Fenice
Trevor Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Adrienne Dawes
Doper Than Dope, Institution Theater, Base Reality Productions and Heckle Her
Nominees:
the cast [Pete Betcher, Katie Kohler, Justin Morley, Jeremiah Rosenberger]
The Back Pack Presents (Spring 2016), Back Pack
Madge Darlington and Alexandra Bassiakou Shaw
Fixing Timon of Athens, Rude Mechanicals
Jenny Larson Naked as a Gaybird, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Mark Pickell Trevor, Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor
Winner:
Jay Byrd (himself) Naked as a Gaybird, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Nominees:
Chase Brewer (Jason) Hand to God, Capital T Theatre
Nate Dunaway (Chad Mercury) Siege of the Dark Nebula, La Fenice
Jason Newman (Trevor) Trevor, Capital T Theatre
Kriston Woodreaux (Orlando) As You Like It, Shrewd Productions
Outstanding Lead Actress
Winner:
Genevieve Kinney (Ruffiana) Siege of the Dark Nebula, La Fenice
Nominees:
Claire Grasso (Phyllida Spotte-Hume, Countess Glamorgan)
The Explorers Club, Austin Playhouse
Rebecca Robinson (Sandra) Trevor, Capital T Theatre
Diana Lynn Small (Maria, Lady Glendenning, Herman, Fannie) Poor Herman, paper chairs
Amelia Turner (Rosalind) As You Like It, En Route Productions
Outstanding Featured Actor
Winner:
Judd Farris (Oliver) Trevor, Capital T Theatre
Nominees:
Nicholas Mills (Louis XVI) Marie Antoinette, Capital T Theatre
Da’Shade Moonbeam (Antoine Tony Tony Antoine, ensemble)
Doper Than Dope, Institution Theater, Base Reality Productions and Heckle Her
Bryan Roberts (Uncle Ted) famiLIES, ColdTowne Theater
Jesus I. Valles (Luzbel) La Pastorela 2015, Teatro Vivo
Outstanding Featured Actress
Winner:
Taji Senior (ensemble)
Doper Than Dope, Institution Theater, Base Reality Productions and Heckle Her
Nominees:
Elizabeth Doss (Flavia) Fixing Timon of Athens, Rude Mechanicals
Julie Moore (Touchstone) As You Like It, Shrewd Productions
Alexis Scott (Herman, Lizzie, Lucy) Poor Herman, paper chairs
Robin Grace Thompson (Celia) As You Like It, Shrewd Productions
Drama
2015 – 2016 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Terminus VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
The History of King Lear Hidden Room
The Hotel Vanya, or A Metaphysical-Paradigm at the End of Everythingness
Natalie George Productions
Spunk Spectrum Theatre Company
Witchcraft in Their Lips Untamed Shakespeare
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Rudy Ramirez Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Beth Burns The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
Stephanie Donowho and Nell McKeown Witchcraft in Their Lips, Untamed Shakespeare
Nathan Jerkins Clybourne Park, Penfold Theatre Company
Marcus McQuirter Spunk, Spectrum Theatre Company
Outstanding Lead Actor
Winner:
Jacques Colimon (Jaybo Freeman) Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Andy Bond (Richard III) Richard III, Baron’s Men
Ryan Crowder (King Lear) The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
David R. Jarrott (Sigmund Freud) Freud’s Last Session, Jarrott Productions
Jarrett King (Lincoln) Topdog/Underdog, Viceroys
Outstanding Lead Actress
Winner:
Jennifer Underwood (Eller Freeman) Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Renee Barnett (Peg) Lone Riders, Trinity Street Players
Samantha Brewer (Dr. Becca Neal) Love Alone, City Theatre Company
Ellie Dubin (Anne Frank) The Diary of Anne Frank, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Kim Rubin (Woman) Veronica’s Room, Oh Dragon Theatre Company
Outstanding Featured Actor
Winner:
Robert Matney (Karl, Steve) Clybourne Park, Penfold Theatre Company
Nominees:
Judd Farris (Edgar) The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
Nathan Jerkins (Bastard) The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
Marc Pouhé (Sykes, Otis D. Slemmons) Spunk, Spectrum Theatre Company
Ryan Wilson (Charles the Dauphin) The Lark, Baron’s Men
Outstanding Featured Actress
Winner:
Amber Quick (Stella Kowalski) A Streetcar Named Desire, Austin Shakespeare
Nominees:
Liz Beckham (Betsy, Lindsey) Clybourne Park, Penfold Theatre Company
Leanna Holmquist (Richard III, Eleanor, Lady-in-Waiting, Beadle)
Witchcraft in Their Lips, Untamed Shakespeare
Julia Lorenz-Olson (Cordelia) The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
Emily Rankin (Casey) Hold Me Well, Shrewd Productions
Improvisational Theatre
2015 – 2016 Season
Outstanding Production
Winner:
Hard-ish Bodies Institution Theater
Nominees:
Boy, Howdy! Hideout Theatre
Dinner for Six ColdTowne Theater
Fiasco Hideout Theatre
The Game of Life Girls Girls Girls
Outstanding Direction
Winner:
Joseph Dailey Dinner for Six, ColdTowne Theater
Nominees:
Kaci Beeler Boy, Howdy!, Hideout Theatre
Mike Carreon Hard-ish Bodies, Institution Theater
Peter Rogers Fiasco, Hideout Theatre
Asaf Ronen The Ladies Room, Institution Theater
Outstanding Improvisational Cast Performance
Winner:
Dinner for Six ColdTowne Theater
Nominees:
Boy, Howdy! Hideout Theatre
The Game of Life Girls Girls Girls
Hard-ish Bodies Institution Theater
Super Buddies! Hideout Theatre
Rudy Kloptik Award for Best Improv Troupe
Winner:
Damn, Gina! Coldtowne Theater
Nominees:
Loverboy ColdTowne Theater
F**k This Week The New Movement
Sugar Water Purple Coldtowne Theatre
Cascade The Institution
General Categories
2015 – 2016 Season
Outstanding Set Design
Winner:
Ann Marie Gordon Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Theada Bellenger Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Mark Pickell Hand to God, Capital T Theatre
Leilah Stewart Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Leslie Ann Turner Freud’s Last Session, Jarrott Productions
Outstanding Lighting Design
Winner:
Patrick Anthony Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Rachel Atkinson Salomé, Gale Theatre Company and VORTEX Repertory Company
Kate Ducey Poor Herman, paper chairs
Jenny Lavery W., Austin Jewish Repertory Theater
Sarah Maines Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design
Winner:
David DeMaris Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Lowell Bartholomee Marie Antoinette, Capital T Theatre
Pete Betcher The Back Pack Presents (Summer 2016), Back Pack
Robert S. Fisher Field Guide, Rude Mechanicals
K. Eliot Haynes Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Winner:
Jenny McNee The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
Nominees:
Teresa Carson Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Pamela Friday The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Summer Stock Austin
E.L. Hohn The Wild Party, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Talena Martinez Marie Antoinette, Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Media Design
Winner:
the cast [Pete Betcher, Katie Kohler, Justin Morley, Jeremiah Rosenberger]
The Back Pack Presents (Summer 2016) , Back Pack
Nominees:
Sara Farr Young Bear, Pollyanna Theatre Company
K. Eliot Haynes and Chris Owen
Frankenstein: The Trouble Puppet Show, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Ray Ray Mitrano and Aron Taylor Naked as a Gaybird, Salvage Vanguard Theater
Chris Owen Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition, ACC Department of Drama
Outstanding Music Direction
Winner:
Austin Haller Sunday in the Park With George,
Austin Shakespeare and Armstrong Community Music School
Nominees:
Jeffrey Jones-Ragona The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin
Michael McKelvey Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Adam Roberts As Butterflies,
Austin Jewish Repertory Theater, TILT Performance Group and Congregation Beth Israel
Mattie Robinson
Crowns, Spectrum Theatre Company and Barry J.W. “The Shepherd” Franklin
Dustin L. Struhall Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Dance Choreography
Winner:
Sadé Jones and Jesse Martinez Hands Up Hoodies Down, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Nick Demos Evita, ZACH Theatre
Earl Kim Salomé, Gale Theatre Company and VORTEX Repertory Company
Carissa McAtee Hard-ish Bodies, Institution Theater
Scott Thompson Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Fight Choreography
Winner:
Toby Minor One Man, Two Guvnors, ZACH Theatre
Nominees:
Aaron Alexander Orphans,
Street Corner Arts, Sarah Becker, Aaron Johnson, David Stevens and Chuck Moses
Travis Dean As You Like It, Shrewd Productions
Travis Dean Hand to God, Capital T Theatre
Travis Dean Trevor, Capital T Theatre
Outstanding Original Script
Winner:
Gabriel Jason Dean Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Katherine Catmull “Right Into the Night Sky”, Out of Ink 2016: Carry On, ScriptWorks
Bethany Lynn Corey Cowboy in the Kitchen, Pollyanna Theatre Company
the ensemble [Annie Kim Hedrick, Abigail Lucas, Laura J. Khalil, Joo Hee Ahn,
Jonathon Itchon, Lemons Clemons, kt shorb, Leng Wong, Rachel Steed]
The Mikado: Reclaimed,
Generic Ensemble Company, VORTEX Repertory Company and Lucky Chaos Productions
Kirk Lynn Fixing Timon of Athens, Rude Mechanicals
Outstanding Original Score
Winner:
Brian Kremer and Ammon Taylor Love Me Tinder, Heckle Her
Nominees:
Laura Freeman A Long Winter’s Night (in Texas), Scottish Rite Theater
Tyler Mabry Persephone, VORTEX Repertory Company
T. Lynn Mikeska As You Like It, Shrewd Productions
Graham Weber Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition, ACC Department of Drama
Outstanding Scripted Cast Performance
Winner:
Terminus VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
The Back Pack Presents (Spring 2016) Back Pack
Siege of the Dark Nebula La Fenice
Subject to Control American Berserk Theatre
Witchcraft in Their Lips Untamed Shakespeare
Outstanding Ensemble Performance
Winner:
Amber Quick and Kim Stacy (Spiker and Sponge) James and the Giant Peach, ZACH Theatre
Nominees:
Jacqui Cross, Janis Stinson, Judy R. Arnold and Dorothy Mays Clark (hat queens)
Crowns, Spectrum Theatre Company and Barry J.W. “The Shepherd” Franklin
Ben McLemore (voice), Andrew Hatcher, Gricelda Silva (the Creature)
Frankenstein: The Trouble Puppet Show, Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Judd Farris and Reagan Tankersley (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern)
Hamlet, Present Company
Robert Deike and Bob Jones (Shepherd and Son)
The Winter’s Tale, Something for Nothing Theater
Outstanding Young Actor
Winner:
Diego Rodriguez (James [selected dates]) James and the Giant Peach, ZACH Theatre
Nominees:
Max Corney (Ragpicker) The Madwoman of Chaillot, VORTEX Repertory Company
Keith Gruber (Jacquot) Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
David Peña (Uncle Fester) The Addams Family, Summer Stock Austin
David Peña (Kevin, Raja, ensemble) The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Young Actress
Winner:
Cara Canary (Annie) Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Scarlet Craig (Jane Banks) Mary Poppins, ZACH Theatre
Lynley Eilers (Rosalie) Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Hannah Roberts (Wednesday Addams) The Addams Family, Summer Stock Austin
Ella Rutman (Mif) As Butterflies,
Austin Jewish Repertory Theater, TILT Performance Group and Congregation Beth Israel
Outstanding Puppetry
Winner:
Frankenstein: The Trouble Puppet Show Trouble Puppet Theater Company
Nominees:
The Back Pack Presents (Spring 2016) Back Pack
The Back Pack Presents (Summer 2016) Back Pack
Hand to God Capital T Theatre
Shrek Zilker Theatre Productions
Outstanding Theatrical Event
Winner:
Hands Up Hoodies Down VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Mr. Burns: a post-electric play SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Out of Ink 2016: Carry On ScriptWorks
Privacy Settings: A Promethean Tale VORTEX Repertory Company
Shit-Faced Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Magnificent Bastard Productions
Outstanding Stage Management
Winner:
Katy Taylor The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
Nominees:
Kaitlyn Kennedy James and the Giant Peach, ZACH Theatre
Tyler Larson Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Megan Smith and Kristian Wolf Piña Alice in Wonderland, ZACH Theatre and Underbelly
Suzanne Smith Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Brianna Veselka and Joshua Klein Out of Ink 2016: Carry On, ScriptWorks
Outstanding Featured Music Performance
Winner:
the consort [Howard Burkett, Cesar Osorio, Anna Harris, Jennifer Rose Davis,
Barbara Manson] The History of King Lear, Hidden Room
Nominees:
Lucy Bergin Cowboy in the Kitchen, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Ashé Arts Collective [Ngadesa Tchukmon, Adam Williams, Tonya Lyles, Lui]
Hands Up Hoodies Down, VORTEX Repertory Company
Brian Kremer Love Me Tinder, Heckle Her
Billy F. Harden, Saul Paul and Janis Stinson Spunk, Spectrum Theatre Company
Outstanding Featured Movement
Winner:
the Step in Time dancers [Hunter Regian, Christa Oliver, Kelly Petlin,
Elizabeth Brady, Caysi Dennis, Alaina Vi Maderal, Victoria Brown,
Kevin Corkum, Matthew Shields, Zeke Zimmerman, Ian J. Bethany,
Jordan Barron, Leslie R. Hethcox, CK Anderson and Matthew Redden]
Mary Poppins, ZACH Theatre
Nominees:
the cast [Pete Betcher, Katie Kohler, Justin Morley, Jeremiah Rosenberger]
The Back Pack Presents (Spring 2016), Back Pack
the cast [Pete Betcher, Katie Kohler, Justin Morley, Jeremiah Rosenberger]
The Back Pack Presents (Summer 2016), Back Pack
Lena Owens (featured dancer/aerialist) Carnival, Summer Stock Austin
Jesse Martinez (hip-hop dancer) Hands Up Hoodies Down, VORTEX Repertory Company
Outstanding Properties Design
Winner:
Helen Parish Terminus, VORTEX Repertory Company
Nominees:
Eva Claycomb Field Guide, Rude Mechanicals
Patrick and Holly Crowley and Bethany Lynn Corey
Cowboy in the Kitchen, Pollyanna Theatre Company
Scott Groh
Tomás and the Library Lady, ZACH Theatre and UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Lilly Sheridan Carnival, Summer Stock Austin