As Wilmington Theater Awards makes long-awaited return, a first look at nominees and more

John Staton, Wilmington StarNews
·10 min read
The ninth annual Wilmington Theater Awards on March 11, 2020, at Thalian Hall, just before the pandemic shutdown.
The ninth annual Wilmington Theater Awards on March 11, 2020, at Thalian Hall, just before the pandemic shutdown.

After not being held since March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wilmington Theater Awards will return for 2023.

The 10th annual show and awards ceremony honoring the best performances and technical achievements in Wilmington-area theater will be held March 23 at Thalian Hall downtown.

In addition to award presentations in more than 20 categories, the show will feature performances from the shows nominated for Best Play and Best Musical.

The awards show will be hosted by Sydney Smith Martin, a prolific Wilmington singer and actress for Opera House Theatre Co., Thalian Association Community Theatre and other groups.

Sydney Smith Martin as Marilyn Monroe in Opera House Theatre Co.'s production of "With Love, Marilyn."
Sydney Smith Martin as Marilyn Monroe in Opera House Theatre Co.'s production of "With Love, Marilyn."

"I am beyond words honored and thrilled to bring back the beloved awards," Martin said. "I look forward to a fun night celebrating what this town does best!"

Sydney Smith Martin in the Thalian Association's production of "Dogfight"
Sydney Smith Martin in the Thalian Association's production of "Dogfight"

In the past, the awards show was produced by the StarNews in association with Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts and other sponsors. Moving forward, the show will be produced by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, in association with Thalian Hall.

"We are thrilled to carry on theater’s biggest night," Rhonda Bellamy, Arts Council director, said in a statement. "The Arts Council’s solid relationship with Wilmington’s theater community makes for a smooth transition. Best of all, having the script for a successful awards show means our community can continue to recognize the best plays and musicals in the region."

Nominations, which were also revealed today (see full list below), are selected by a six-person nominating committee in consultation with Wilmington-area theater companies. This year's nominees include shows that opened on or after Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2022.

Winners will be determined by votes from the public, the nominating committee and Wilmington-area theater troupes.

Click here to vote for your favorites.

More:Wilmington groundbreaker, educator and thespian Lela Thompson dies at age 87

Each year since its inception in 2012, the awards show has also presented one honoree with the Lela Thompson Award for Enduring Contribution to Wilmington Theater. The award is named for a co-founder of longtime Wilmington theater company The Willis Richardson Players, the first theater troupe in the Port City to regularly perform plays by Black authors and with predominantly Black casts. Thompson died Dec. 30 at the age of 87.

Past recipients of the the Lela Thompson award include late Thalian Hall director Tony Rivenbark, late Opera House Theatre Co. founder Lou Criscuolo, technicians Jeff Loy and Scott Davis, and actor Maxwell Paige.

Cherri McKay with Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green.
Cherri McKay with Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green.

The 2023 honoree is Cherri McKay, the longtime director of Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of its founding this year. The troupe has offered free annual performances of Shakespearean plays at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater since it was formed.

Active in the troupe since its earliest days, McKay has led Cape Fear Shakespeare for more than two decades and started a youth portion of the company that has introduced hundreds of children to Shakespeare.

"To be included among those most deserving recipients of this award is truly an honor," McKay said. "To be appreciated is the greatest reward. I am eternally grateful!”

WANT TO GO?

What: 10th annual Wilmington Theater Awards

When: 7:30 p.m. March 23

Where: Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., Wilmington

Details: 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org

2023 Wilmington Theater Awards nominees list

Click here to vote for your favorites.

BEST PLAY

  • "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • "Driving Miss Daisy," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • "Misery," Big Dawg Productions

  • "School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

  • "With Love, Marilyn," Opera House Theatre Co.

BEST MUSICAL

  • Dogfight," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • "Something Rotten," Thalian Association Community Theatre

DIRECTOR, PLAY

  • Gina Gambony, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • Deb Gillingham, "Driving Miss Daisy," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Fracaswell Hyman, "School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

  • Christopher Marino, "The Comedy of Errors," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Beau Mumford, "Puffs," Pineapple-Shaped Lamps

  • Erin Sullivan, "With Love, Marilyn," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Beth Swindell, "Sleuth," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Elizabeth Wellman, "Fight Girl Battle World," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

DIRECTOR, MUSICAL

  • Jason Aycock, "Grease," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Chandler Davis, "Something Rotten," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Shane Fernando, "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Kevin Lee-y Green, "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • Ray Kennedy, "Footloose," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Justin Smith, "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Cathy Street, "Dogfight," Thalian Association Community Theatre

ACTOR, PLAY

  • Jason Corder as Leontes and Autolycus in "A Winter's Tale," Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green

  • Campbell Idol as Christopher in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • Fracaswell Hyman as Hoke in "Driving Miss Daisy," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Ashley Strand, multiple roles in "King James Live," Alchemical Theatre Co.

  • Steven Sullivan as Nick in "Over the River and Through The Woods," Brunswick Little Theatre

  • Steve Vernon as Paul Sheldon in "Misery," Big Dawg Productions

ACTOR, MUSICAL

  • Jon Berry as Charlie in "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Brendan Carter as Nick Bottom in "Something Rotten," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Logan Mack as Birdlace in "Dogfight," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Justin Allen Tate as Simon/Lola in "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Paul Teal as Jack Kelly in "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Mathis Turner as Ren in "Footloose," Opera House Theatre Co.

ACTRESS, PLAY

  • Addison Hamlet as Paulina in "School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

  • Sydney Smith Martin as Marilyn Monroe in "With Love, Marilyn," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Holli Saperstein as Erma Bombeck in "Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End," Big Dawg Productions

  • Heather Setzler as Erzebet Bathory in "Blood Privilege," Hebredo Productions

  • Reagan Shumate as Anne Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Hallie-Claire Weems as Erika in "School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

ACTRESS, MUSICAL

  • Amy Carter as Jovie in "Elf," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Kendra Goehring as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Sydney Smith Martin as Rose in "Dogfight," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Stephanie Prestage as Sandy in "Grease," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Elizabeth Stovall as Maria in "The Sound of Music," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Emilia Torello as Katherine in "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

SUPPORTING ACTOR, PLAY

  • Victor Gallo as Nunzio in "Over the River and Through the Woods," Brunswick Little Theatre

  • Lee Lowrimore as Ed Boone in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • Eben French Mastin as Frank in "Over the River and Through the Woods," Brunswick Little Theatre

  • Robin Dale Robertson as Otto Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Woody Stefl as Boolie in "Driving Miss Daisy," Thalian Association Community Theatre

SUPPORTING ACTOR, MUSICAL

  • Jon Berry as Nick Arnstein in "Funny Girl," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Brandon Bradley as James "Thunder" Early in "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • Steve Hasmer as Rev. Shaw in "Footloose," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Chad Hsu as George in "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Fracaswell Hyman as Nostradamus in "Something Rotten," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Jon Wallin as Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls," Thalian Association Community Theatre

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, PLAY

  • Anna Gamel Huber as Siobhan in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • Stoney B. Mootoo as Berenice in "The Thursday Night Bridge Circle," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Kim Pacheco as Eloise in "School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

  • Bianca Shaw as Nana in "School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

  • Eleanor Stafford as Judy Boone in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, MUSICAL

  • Adrienne DeBouse as Lorell in "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • Alissa Fetherolf as Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Sydney Smith Martin as Lauren in "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Shannon Playl as Vi in "Footloose," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Myra Graham Quince as Effie in "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • Sydney Short as Rizzo in "Grease," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Georgie Simon as Amy in "Company," Thalian Association Community Theatre

BEST NEWCOMER (first time in a show in Wilmington)

  • Truu Allure Danns, "School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

  • Zach Harris, "A Taste of Honey," "The Tempest," "Kindertransport," "Fight Girl Battle World," UNCW Theatre Dept.

  • Steve Hasmer, "Footloose," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Chad Hsu, "Kinky Boots" for Opera House Theatre Co., "Let the Right One In" for Big Dawg Productions, and others

  • Terrie Hsu, "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)," Big Dawg Productions, and others

  • Campbell Idol, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • Tim Manley, Theatre for All and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • Hallie-Claire Weems,"School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play," Big Dawg Productions

ENSEMBLE/CHORUS

  • "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • "Footloose," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • "Grease," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • "Something Rotten," Thalian Association Community Theatre

BEST CHILDREN’S/YOUTH THEATER PRODUCTION

  • "Beanstalk," Pied Piper Theatre

  • "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Cape Fear Community College

  • "Dear Edwina," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • "Little Women," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • "Matilda," Snow Productions

  • "Moana Jr.," Performance Club

  • "Two Gentlemen of Verona," Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green Youth Company

MUSIC DIRECTION

  • Randy Craft, "Dogfight," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Stephen Field, "The Sound of Music," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Adrian Varnam, "The Comedy of Errors," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Brian Whitted, "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • Brian Whitted, "Funny Girl," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Brian Whitted, "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

CHOREOGRAPHY

  • Jason Aycock and Erin Sullivan, "Grease," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Kevin Lee-y Green, "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

  • Judy Greenhut, "Matilda," Snow Productions

  • Carson Hobbs, "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Ray Kennedy, Adrian Jones and Brooklyne Williamson, "Funny Girl," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Samantha Ray Mifsud, "Elf," Thalian Association Community Theatre

SET DESIGN

  • Terry Collins, "The Last 5 Years," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Terry Collins, "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Randall Enlow, "Sleuth," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Randall Enlow, "Talley's Folly," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Marshall Watson, "The Thursday Night Bridge Circle," Opera House Theatre Co.

SOUND DESIGN

  • Jason Aycock, "Let the Right One In," Big Dawg Productions

  • Nyia Barrow & Max Lydy, "Fight Girl Battle World," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Anthony Burke, "Little Shop of Horrors," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Chris Dean, "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Ben Henson, "Puffs," Pineapple-Shaped Lamps

  • Jud Smith, "Dogfight," Thalian Association Community Theatre

COSTUMES

  • Jayme Bednarczyk, "Thursday Night Bridge Circle," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Juli Harvey and and Selina Harvey, "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Jen Iapalucci, "Something Rotten," Thalian Association Community Theatre

  • Allyson Moore-Mojica, "Kinky Boots," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Debby Scheu, "Funny Girl," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Mark Sorensen, "Fight Girl Battle World," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Mark Sorensen, "The Moors," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Terrill Williams and Allyson Moore-Mojica, "Dreamgirls," Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co.

LIGHTING DESIGN

  • Nick Fenner, "Newsies," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Rachel Levy and Thomas Salzman, "The Comedy of Errors," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Jeff Loy, "The Sound of Music," Opera House Theatre Co.

  • Cole Marquis, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Big Dawg Productions

  • Alex Sargent, "The Moors," UNCW Dept. of Theatre

  • Joshua Zieseniss, "Driving Miss Daisy," Thalian Association Community Theatre

ORIGINAL PRODUCTION (produced here for the first time in Wilmington)

  • "The First Day of Spring," Theatre for All

  • "King James Live," Alchemical Theatre Co.

  • "Party Robot," Patrick Basquill

  • "Quilt Stories," "Mouths of Babes Theatre Co.

  • "The Thursday Night Bridge Circle" by Ray Kennedy, Opera House Theatre Co.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington Theater Awards to return for 2023, full list of nominees

Recommended Stories