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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