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Wednesday, February 7, 2024

THE JEFF AWARDS ANNOUNCES THE 50th ANNIVERSARY NON-EQUITY THEATER AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Celebrating its 50th anniversary 

awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater

the Joseph Jefferson Awards 

announces its nominations for theater excellence 

among Non-Equity theater during the 2023 season


A complete list of nominees can also be found online in the Non-Equity and News and Events sections at www.jeffawards.org

Celebrate Chicago -- literally the best theatre town in the world. Kudos to all the nominees for the 50th Non-Equity Jeff Awards (AKA: Theatre Prom), March 25th at Park West. NYC may have Broadway, but Chicago has 250+ theaters including a plethora of tiny storefronts and non-equity companies doing stunning work. Here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows I cover as many as humanly possible! The nominees in bold below are ones I had the great pleasure to see. Check back like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often, for original reviews, theatre news, interviews, ticket giveaways, and more.

This year’s Non-Equity awards spotlight 144 theater artists across 24 categories of excellence in theater production among shows from 32 companies. During the most recent season which ran from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, Jeff Awards members attended 91 Non-Equity productions. From these, 46 productions became “Jeff Recommended” and, therefore, eligible for award nominations. 

Four theater companies are recognized for the upcoming Non-Equity awards with more than 10 nominations each. Kokandy Productions garnered the most honors, with 17 from two productions. Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre received 16 nominations, followed by Invictus Theatre Company and Refracted Theatre Company which both received 10. “Tambo & Bones” from Refracted Theatre Company drew the largest nominations for a single production (10).

Among New Work, eight world premiere plays are in award consideration. In addition, the Jeff Awards recently expanded award categories to recognize Short Run Productions (nine to 17 performances). Within this category, nominees are announced for Production, Ensemble, Director and Performer.


2024 NON-EQUITY JEFF AWARD NOMINEES

PRODUCTION – PLAY

"Cat's Cradle” - Lifeline Theatre  

"The Crucible” - Invictus Theatre Company  

"Dying For It” - The Artistic Home  

"Indoor Cats” - Red Theater  

"Right Now” - Facility Theatre  

"Tambo & Bones” - Refracted Theatre Company  

"We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, from the German Südwestafrika, Between the Years 1884 - 1915” - Theatre Y  

 

PRODUCTION – MUSICAL

"American Psycho" - Kokandy Productions   

"Assassins" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre   

"The SpongeBob Musical" - Kokandy Productions   

"The Threepenny Opera" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre   

"tick, tick… BOOM!" - BoHo Theatre   

 

ENSEMBLE – PLAY

"Cat's Cradle" - Lifeline Theatre   

"The Crucible" - Invictus Theatre Company   

"Jane: Abortion and the Underground" - Idle Muse Theatre Company   

“Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation” – Prop Thtr (i/a/w Perceptions Theatre)

"The Pragmatists" - Trap Door Theatre   

"Right Now" - Facility Theatre   

"We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, from the German Südwestafrika, Between the Years 1884 - 1915" - Theatre Y   

 

ENSEMBLE – MUSICAL 

"American Psycho" - Kokandy Productions   

"Assassins" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre   

"Promises, Promises" - Blank Theatre Company   

"The SpongeBob Musical" - Kokandy Productions 

 

NEW WORK

India Nicole Burton – “Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation” – Prop Thtr (i/a/w Perceptions Theatre)

Tina Fakhrid-Deen – “Dandelions” – MPAACT (Ma'at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theater)

Mora V. Harris – “Indoor Cats” – Red Theater

John Hildreth – “Cat’s Cradle” – Lifeline Theatre

Evan M. Jackson – “The Last Queen of Camelot” – Idle Muse Theatre Company

Shannon O’Neill – “The Kelly Girls” – The Factory Theater

Ed Rutherford & George Howe – “Murder, ReWrote” – Hell in a Handbag Productions

Micah Ariel Watson – “Alaiyo” – Definition Theatre


DIRECTOR – PLAY

Charles Askenaizer - "The Crucible" - Invictus Theatre Company

Mikael Burke - "Tambo & Bones" - Refracted Theatre Company

Heather Currie - "Cat's Cradle" - Lifeline Theatre

Dado - "Right Now" - Facility Theatre

Wyatt Kent - "Indoor Cats" - Red Theater

Tyrone Phillips - "Fairview" - Definition Theatre

Kezia Waters - "We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, from the German Südwestafrika, Between the Years 1884 - 1915" - Theatre Y

 

DIRECTOR – MUSICAL

Fred Anzevino - "The Threepenny Opera" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Derek Van Barham - "American Psycho" - Kokandy Productions

Daryl D. Brooks - "Assassins" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Bo Frazier - "tick, tick… BOOM!" - BoHo Theatre

 

PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY

Brittney Brown (Regan Kelly) - "The Kelly Girls" - The Factory Theater

Laura Coover (The Woman) - "Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle" - Griffin Theatre Company

Ny'ajai Ellison (Camae) - "The Mountaintop" - Invictus Theatre Company

Julian Hester (Scratch) - "Witch" - The Artistic Home

Patrick Newson Jr. (Bones) - "Tambo & Bones" - Refracted Theatre Company

Felicia Oduh (Ariel) - "Alaiyo" - Definition Theatre

Aila Ayilam Peck (Layla) - "Hatefuck" - First Floor Theater

Soleil Pérez (Agnes) - "Agnes of God" - Redtwist Theatre

Mark Pracht (John Proctor) - "The Crucible" - Invictus Theatre Company

William Anthony Sebastian Rose II (Tambo) - "Tambo & Bones" - Refracted Theatre Company

 

PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL

Neala Barron (John Wilkes Booth) - "Assassins" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Frankie Leo Bennett (SpongeBob SquarePants) - "The SpongeBob Musical" - Kokandy Productions

Britain Gebhardt (Bessica Feltcher) - "Murder, ReWrote" - Hell in a Handbag Productions

Carl Herzog (Macheath) - "The Threepenny Opera" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Brandy Miller (Fran Kubelik) - "Promises, Promises" - Blank Theatre Company

Patrick O'Keefe (Balladeer and Lee Harvey Oswald) - "Assassins" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Kyle Patrick (Patrick Bateman) - "American Psycho" - Kokandy Productions

Alec Phan (Jonathan) - "tick, tick … BOOM!" - BoHo Theatre

Rory Schrobilgen (Chuck Baxter) - "Promises, Promises" - Blank Theatre Company

 

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY

Kristin Collins (Elizabeth Sawyer) - "Witch" - The Artistic Home

Shawna Franks (Juliette) - "Right Now" - Facility Theatre

Jada Jackson (Keisha) - "Fairview" - Definition Theatre

Patrick Newson Jr. (Kofi) - "Alaiyo" - Definition Theatre

Kathy Scambiaterra (Serafima) - "Dying For It" - The Artistic Home

Maria Stephens (Alice) - "Right Now" - Facility Theatre

James Turano (Deputy Governor Danforth) - "The Crucible" - Invictus Theatre Company

Michaela Voit (Abigail Williams) - "The Crucible" - Invictus Theatre Company

Sarah Wisterman (Panda) - "Indoor Cats" - Red Theater

Korinne Yonan (Maleficunt) - "Sleeping with Beauty" – PrideArts


PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL

Megan Elk (Mrs. Peachum) - "The Threepenny Opera" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Parker Guidry (Sheldon J. Plankton) - "The SpongeBob Musical" - Kokandy Productions

Luke Halpern (Susan) - "tick, tick… BOOM!" - BoHo Theatre

Jon Parker Jackson (Samuel Byck) - "Assassins" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Chamaya Moody (Polly Peachum) - "The Threepenny Opera" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Caleigh Pan-Kita (Evelyn Williams) - "American Psycho" - Kokandy Productions

Quinn Rigg (Squidward Q. Tentacles) - "The SpongeBob Musical" - Kokandy Productions

Amanda Rodriguez (Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme) - "Assassins" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Nathe Rowbotham (Lucy Brown) - "The Threepenny Opera" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

 

PRODUCTION – SHORT RUN

"It's Only a Play” - Saint Sebastian Players  

"The Minutes” - Edge of the Wood Theatre

"Once on This Island” - PULSE Theatre Company  

"That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” - Visión Latino Theatre Company  

 

ENSEMBLE – SHORT RUN

"It's Only a Play” - Saint Sebastian Players  

"The Minutes” - Edge of the Wood Theatre

"Once on This Island” - PULSE Theatre Company  

"That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” - Visión Latino Theatre Company  

 

DIRECTOR – SHORT RUN

Xavier M. Custodio - "That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven" - Visión Latino Theatre Company

Melanie McNulty - "Cry It Out" - Theatre Above the Law

Janet Rourke - "The Minutes" - Edge of the Wood Theatre

Iraida Tapias - "North & Sur" - Water People Theater

 

PERFORMER – SHORT RUN

Manuel Duarte (Emcee) - "Lotería: Dichos, Proverbios, Albures" - Teatro Tariakuri

Jack Hradecky (Mr. Peel) - "The Minutes" - Edge of the Wood Theatre

Casey Huls (Frank Abagnale Jr.) - "Catch Me If You Can" - Surging Films and Theatrics

Gwen La Roka (Gwen La Roka) - "Mi Casa Es Tu Casa!" - UrbanTheater Company

Daniella Rukin (Lina) - "Cry It Out" - Theatre Above the Law

Carter Sherman (Amelia Carter) - "Miranda: A War-Torn Fable" - The Impostors Theatre Company

Billy Surges (Carl Hanratty) - "Catch Me If You Can" - Surging Films and Theatrics

Kris Tori (Alfonsina Storni) - "North & Sur" - Water People Theater

Allyson Womack (Jessie) - "Cry It Out" - Theatre Above the Law

 

SCENIC DESIGN

Kirk Anderson – “Right Now” – Facility Theatre

Kevin Hogan – “Dying For It” – The Artistic Home

Rose Johnson – “Agnes of God” – Redtwist Theatre

Sydney Lynne – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company

Kevin Rolfs – “The Crucible” – Invictus Theatre Company


COSTUME DESIGN

Jakob Abderhalden – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy Productions

Natasha Vuchurovich Dukich – “Right Now” – Facility Theatre

Jessie Gowens – “The Crucible” – Invictus Theatre Company

Kotryna Hilko – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company

Beth Laske-Miller & Rachel Sypniewski – “I Promised Myself to Live Faster” – Hell in a Handbag Productions

Cindy Moon – “The Threepenny Opera” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Rachel Sypniewski – “Princess Ivona” – Trap Door Theatre

 

SOUND DESIGN

Hannah Foerschler – “The Kelly Girls” – The Factory Theater

Ethan Korvne – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company

Santiago Quintana – “Right Now” – Facility Theatre

Danny Rockett – “The Pragmatists” – Trap Door Theatre

Stefanie Senior – “Cat’s Cradle” – Lifeline Theatre

Sebby Woldt – “Indoor Cats” – Red Theater

 

LIGHTING DESIGN

Mark Bracken Jr. – “Dying For It” – The Artistic Home

Ellie Fey – “Witch” – The Artistic Home

Maggie Fullilove-Nugent – “The Threepenny Opera” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

G. “Max” Maxin IV – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions

Eric Watkins – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company

 

PROJECTION DESIGN

DJ Douglass – “The Mountaintop” – Invictus Theatre Company

Alex Gendal – “Alaiyo” – Definition Theatre 

Eme Ospina-López – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company

 

CHOREOGRAPHY

Breon Arzell – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions

Lauryn Schmelzer – “Promises, Promises” – Blank Theatre Company

Jenna Schoppe – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy Productions

 

MUSIC DIRECTION

Harper Caruso – “tick, tick… BOOM!” – BoHo Theatre

Heidi Joosten – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions

Heidi Joosten – “Assassins” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Aaron Kaplan – “Promises, Promises” – Blank Theatre Company

 

ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY

Natasha Bogojevic – “The Pragmatists” – Trap Door Theatre

Przemysław Bosak – “Princess Ivona” – Trap Door Theatre

Ethan Korvne – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company

Petter Wahlbäck – “Dying For It” – The Artistic Home

 

ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION

Henry Bender (Properties Design) – “Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story” – The Factory Theater

David Blixt (Fight Choreography) – “Witch” – The Artistic Home

Lolly Extract/Jabberwocky Marionettes (Puppet Design) – “I Promised Myself to Live Faster” – Hell in a Handbag Productions

Ele Matelan (Foley Design) – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy Productions

Patrick McGuire (Properties Design) – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy Productions


MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS

By Theater Company

Kokandy Productions 17

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre 16

Invictus Theatre Company 10

Refracted Theatre 10

The Artistic Home 9

Facility Theatre 8

Definition Theatre 6

Blank Theatre Company 5

BoHo Theatre 5

Lifeline Theatre 5

Red Theater 5

Trap Door Theatre 5

Edge of the Wood Theatre 4

The Factory Theater 4

Hell in a Handbag Productions 4

Theatre Above the Law 3

Theatre Y 3

Vision Latino Theatre Company 3

Idle Muse Theatre Company 2

Prop Thtr (i/a/w Perceptions Theatre) 2

PULSE Theatre Company 2

Redtwist Theatre 2

Saint Sebastian Players 2

Surging Films & Theatrics 2

Water People Theater 2


By Production

"Tambo & Bones"                             10

"The SpongeBob Musical"                               9

"American Psycho"                               8

"Assassins"                               8

"The Crucible"                               8

"Right Now"                               8

"The Threepenny Opera"                               8

"Cat's Cradle"                               5

"Dying For It"                               5

"Indoor Cats"           5

"Promises, Promises"           5

"tick, tick… BOOM!"           5

"Alaiyo"           4

"The Minutes"           4

"Witch"           4

"Cry It Out"           3

"The Kelly Girls"           3

"The Pragmatists"           3

"That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven"           3

"We Are Proud to Present a Presentation …"           3

"Agnes of God"           2

"Catch Me If You Can"           2

"Fairview"           2

"I Promised Myself to Live Faster"           2

"It's Only a Play"           2

"The Mountaintop"           2

"Murder, ReWrote"           2

"North & Sur"           2

"Once on This Island"             2

"Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation"           2

"Princess Ivona"          2

 

By Individual

Heidi Joosten   2

Ethan Korvne 2

Patrick Newson Jr. 2

Rachel Sypniewski 2


  


ABOUT THE JEFF AWARDS

The Jeff Awards is one of the most active and engaged theater awards organizations in the country evaluating hundreds of theatrical productions annually and holding two awards ceremonies highlighting work over the past Equity and Non-Equity seasons. Through our recommendations, awards, and honors we help foster the growth of companies, encourage artists, bring new appreciation for diverse storytelling, and cultivate civic pride in the achievements of the Chicago theater community. Originally chartered in 1968 to recognize Equity productions, the Jeff Awards Non-Equity Wing was established in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre. For more information, visit www.jeffawards.org.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON NOMINATIONS AND THE AWARDS PROGRAM

The Jeff Awards website lists all current nominees, previous recipients and nominations, and other Jeff Awards information and news. Visit www.jeffawards.org.

The 50th Anniversary Jeff Awards for Non-Equity Theater will be held Monday, March 25, 2024, at Park West in Chicago, IL. Doors will open at 6:00pm with a cash bar available, and the awards will begin at 7:00pm. General Admission tickets are $71 (includes $55 ticket + required fees) and  available now at www.jeffawards.org. A group rate of $60 (includes $45 ticket + required fees) is available for parties of 10 or more. Festive cocktail attire is suggested, and the public is cordially invited. An after-party will be held at Park West with light food and a cash bar. For more information, contact Johnny Buranosky, Non-Equity Wing Chair, at  nonequitywing@jeffawards.org.

Names of award recipients will be released immediately following the program on March 25th on the Jeff Awards website under Non-Equity Awards at www.jeffawards.org

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