Nominations announced for 22nd annual WATCH Awards

The nominations for the 2023 WATCH awards honoring community theater in the DC metro area were announced on January 21, 2024 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. The awards ceremony will take place Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 7:00 pm at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA.

Ninety-four productions (36 musicals, 58 plays) were adjudicated in 2023. Twenty-six community theater companies participated in WATCH adjudication:

• Aldersgate Church Community Theatre
• Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre
• Bowie Community Theatre
• City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Castaways Repertory Theatre
• Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Dominion Stage
• Fauquier Community Theatre
• Greenbelt Arts Center
• Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Montgomery Playhouse
• Port Tobacco Players
• Prince William Little Theatre
• Providence Players of Fairfax
• Reston Community Players
• Rockville Little Theatre
• Rockville Musical Theatre
• Rooftop Productions
• 2nd Star Productions
• St. Mark’s Players
• Silver Spring Stage
• Silhouette Stages
• Sterling Playmakers
• The Arlington Players
• Victorian Lyric Opera Company

And now for the Nominees…
In each of the forty categories, five nominees were selected based on the average scores of eight judges. In some categories, due to score ties, more than five nominees are announced. Nominations are provided in alphabetical order by nominee. The nominations are provided by category and then by theater at the end of the document.

Nominations for Outstanding Technical Achievements

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical (5)

• Robert S. Barr Jr. – Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• John Merritt – Once Upon a Mattress – Port Tobacco Players
• Bill Murray – Into the Woods – The Arlington Players
• Bill Pressley – M.S. Pinafore – Victorian Lyric Opera Company
• Dan Widerski and Anna Mintz – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players

Outstanding Set Design in a Play (5)

• Ingrid David and Patrick David – Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax
• Charles Dragonette and Jenya Holbert – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Chris Magee – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players
• John Merritt – Death of a Salesman – Port Tobacco Players
• John Merritt – You Can’t Take It With You – Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical (5)

• Jim Hutzler and Jeff Nesmeyer – Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• John Merritt – Once Upon a Mattress – Port Tobacco Players
• Bill Pressley – M.S. Pinafore – Victorian Lyric Opera Company
• Neal Towsend – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Dan Widerski – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players

Outstanding Set Construction in a Play (7)

• Shah Choudhury – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Julie Fischer – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Scott Hanson – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players
• Steve Leshin – Communicating Doors – Rockville Little Theatre
• John Merritt – Death of a Salesman – Port Tobacco Players
• John Merritt and Chuck Hower – You Can’t Take It With You – Port Tobacco Players
• David Whitehead and Patrick David – Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax

Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical (5)

• John Merritt – Once Upon a Mattress – Port Tobacco Players
• Cathy Rieder – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Angie Townsend and Debbie Mobley – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Jane B. Wingard – Matilda – 2nd Star Productions
• Jane B. Wingard – Something Rotten – 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Set Painting in a Play (5)

• Luana Bossolo – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Mary DeMarco-Logue – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players
• Jim Haynes – Men on Boats – Silver Spring Stage
• Rose Hull – The Old Settler – Bowie Community Theatre
• John Merritt – Death of a Salesman – Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Musical (5)

• Jessie Krupkin – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Kathy Mead and Joanne Fuessel – Once Upon a Mattress – Port Tobacco Players
• Alecia Nault – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Bill Pond – The SpongeBob Musical – Silhouette Stages
• Cana Wade – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Prince William Little Theatre

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Play (5)

• Ingrid David – Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax
• Charles Dragonette – Boston Marriage – Dominion Stage
• Charles Dragonette and Jenya Holbert – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Nina Grover – You Can’t Take It With You – Port Tobacco Players
• Rachel Wallace – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Properties in a Musical (5)

• Mary Jo Ford – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Lauren Hatmaker and Lissa Unrue – Kinky Boots – Rooftop Productions
• Rebecca Kalant – Big Fish – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Jessie Krupkin – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Kimberly Leone and Leigh K. Rawls – Into the Woods – The Arlington Players

Outstanding Properties in a Play (5)

• Geoffrey Baskir – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Kim Bessler and Selena Zuhoski – You Can’t Take It With You – Port Tobacco Players
• Margaret Chapman – A Murder is Announced – Aldersgate Church Community Theater
• Michael Donahue   Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax
• Allison Gray-Mendes – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical (5)

• Jeffery Auerbach and Kimberly Crago – Into the Woods – The Arlington Players
• Ken and Patti Crowley – Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Ken and Patti Crowley – Avenue Q – The Arlington Players
• TJ Lukacsina – Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages
• TJ Lukacsina – The SpongeBob Musical – Silhouette Stages

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play (5)

• Jeffery Auerbach and Kimberly Crago – A Murder is Announced – Aldersgate Church Community Theater
• Matthew Cheney   Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Franklin Coleman – Stop Kiss – Reston Community Players
• Ken and Patti Crowley   Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Jami S. Earnest and Rich Swink – Wit – Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical (5)

• Wes Bedsworth – Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Larson Miller – Into the Woods – The Arlington Players
• Paul Pesnell – Big Fish – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Elizabeth Shaher – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Alan Wray – Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play (6)

• Jim Adams – The Mountaintop – Greenbelt Arts Center
• Fred Nelson – All My Sons – Bowie Community Theatre
• Janice Rivera – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Janice Rivera – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Elizabeth Shaher – Stop Kiss – Reston Community Players
• Ruben Vellekoop – Misery – Dominion Stage

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical (5)

• Becca Janney – M.S. Pinafore – Victorian Lyric Opera Company
• Renee L – The Color Purple – St. Mark’s Players
• Joan Lawrence – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Quentin Nash Sagers – Ragtime – Port Tobacco Players
• Denise Young and Sarah Robinson – The New Moon – Victorian Lyric Opera Company

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play (5)

• Nathaniel Cavin – Pride and Prejudice – Silver Spring Stage
• Juliana Cofrancesco – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Lisa Magee – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players
• Linda Swann – Tartuffe – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Mary Wakefield – The Revolutionists – Silver Spring Stage

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical (5)

• Kyla Chua – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Mary Frances Dini – Into the Woods – The Arlington Players
• Maurissa Sosa – Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Dominion Stage
• Parker Bailey Steven – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Natalie Turkevich – Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play (5)

• The Cast – The Old Settler – Bowie Community Theatre
• Kaitlyn Bauer Dieguez – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players
• Rebecca Kotraba – Tartuffe – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Maureen Roult – Pride and Prejudice – Silver Spring Stage

Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical (6)

• Kyla Chua – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Kadira Coley – Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Mary Frances Dini – Big Fish – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Tommy Malek – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Robin Maline – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Maureen Roult – The New Moon – Victorian Lyric Opera Company

Outstanding Hair Design in a Play (8)

• Lauren Agresti – The Revolutionists – Silver Spring Stage
• Kaitlyn Bauer Dieguez – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players
• Rebecca Kotraba – Ravenscroft – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Rebecca Kotraba – Tartuffe – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Emily Lagana – Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly – Prince William Little Theatre
• Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Sascha Nelson – All My Sons – Bowie Community Theatre
• Maureen Roult – Pride and Prejudice – Silver Spring Stage

Outstanding Special Effects (5)

• Peter Flaherty – Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages
• Chip Gertzog – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• no listing – Sister Act – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Jon Roberts and Christopher Smith – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Dan Widerski – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players

Nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Actor or Actress

Outstanding Cameo in a Musical (7)

• Stacy Crickmer as “Bad Idea Bear” – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Ethan Keller as “Bad Idea Bear” – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Christine Maxted as “The Mistress” – Evita – Fauquier Community Theatre
• James Maxted as “The Hermit” – Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Colleen Prior as “Dora Bailey” – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Jessi Shull as “Broadway Vamp” – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Brittany Washington as “Lucy the Slut” – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players

Outstanding Cameo in a Play (7)

• Kim Bessler as “Gay Wellington” – You Can’t Take It With You – Port Tobacco Players
• John Barclay Burns as “Melvil” – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Rebecca Ellis as “Emilia Bassano Lanier” – The Book of Will – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Stuart Fischer as “William Davidson” – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• John Geddie as “Karl Lindner” – A Raisin in the Sun – Sterling Playmakers
• Damian Leone as “Detective Cole” – Stop Kiss – Reston Community Players
• Eleanore Tapscott as “Mrs. Johnson” – A Raisin in the Sun – Sterling Playmakers

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (6)

• Stacey Yvonne Claytor as “Lina Lamont” – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Ashley Gladden-Vellon as “Woman 2” – Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• AnnaBelle Lowe as “AnnaBelle” – Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages
• Debbie Mobley as “Rosie” – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Bri Nobles as “Shug” – The Color Purple – St. Mark’s Players
• Ellen Quay as “Ellen” – Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (6)

• Ira Coats Jr. as “Harpo” – The Color Purple – St. Mark’s Players
• Erich DiCenzo as “Nicky” – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Seth Fallon as “Squidward” – The SpongeBob Musical – Silhouette Stages
• Seth Fallon as “George” – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• Tommy Malek as “Man 3” – Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Matt Wetzel as “Matt” – Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (5)

• Alex Greenberg as “Marie Antoinette” – The Revolutionists – Silver Spring Stage
• Brenna Prestidge as “Malvolio” – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players
• Joi Pride as “Susie Monahan, BSN, RN” – Wit – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Ashley Simon as “Dorine” – Tartuffe – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Emma Wesslund as “Charlotte Corday” – The Revolutionists – Silver Spring Stage

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (5)

• Brock Brown as “Husband Witherspoon” – The Old Settler – Bowie Community Theatre
• Kevin Dykstra as “Russ/Dan” – Clybourne Park – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Rob Gorman as “Karl/Steve” – Clybourne Park – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• John Halmi as “Tartuffe” – Tartuffe – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Matt Leyendecker as “Richard Burbage” – The Book of Will – Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (5)

• Maura Lacy as “Sandra Bloom” – Big Fish – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Sheron Lasha as “Celie” – The Color Purple – St. Mark’s Players
• Colleen Lynch as “Kate Monster” – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Pam Shilling as “Woman 1” – Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Jillian Wiley as “Josephine” – M.S. Pinafore – Victorian Lyric Opera Company

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (5)

• Tim Lewis as “Don Lockwood” – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Chris Maulden as “Lola/Simon” – Kinky Boots – Rooftop Productions
• Noah Mutterperl as “Will Bloom” – Big Fish – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Matt Wetzel as “SpongeBob” – The SpongeBob Musical – Silhouette Stages
• Isaiah Wilson as “Coalhouse Walker Jr.” – Ragtime – Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play (6)

• Dionne Belk as “Quilly McGrath” – The Old Settler – Bowie Community Theatre
• Janet Constable Preston as “Kate Keller” – All My Sons – Bowie Community Theatre
• Emily Roberge as “Lenny Macgrath” – Crimes of the Heart – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Maura Suilebhan as “Vivian Bearing, PhD” – Wit – Colonia Players of Annapolis
• Jennifer Thomas as “Elizabeth Borny” – The Old Settler – Bowie Community Theatre
• Lydia West as “Carmae” – The Mountaintop – Greenbelt Arts Center

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play (5)

• Brian Donohue as “Willy Loman” – Death of a Salesman – Port Tobacco Players
• Bruce Alan Rauscher as “Robert” – Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax
• Nicholas Temple as “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy” – Pride and Prejudice – Silver Spring Stage
• Gene Valendo as “Joe Keller” – All My Sons – Bowie Community Theatre
• Ryan Willis as “Martin” – The Mountaintop – Greenbelt Arts Center

Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical (5)

• Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• The Color Purple – St. Mark’s Players
• Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages
• Something Rotten – 2nd Star Productions

Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Play (5)

• Clybourne Park – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Laramie Project – Montgomery Playhouse
• Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax
• The Revolutionists – Silver Spring Stage

Nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Overall Production

Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography (6)

• Ian Claar – Mary Stuart – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Michael Donahue – Deathtrap – Providence Players of Fairfax
• Joe Downs – Towards Zero – Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Emily EJ Jones – Into the Woods – The Arlington Players
• Stefan Sittig – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Katie Warner – Big Fish – City of Fairfax Theatre Company

Outstanding Choreography (5)

• Kelsey Meiklejohn Bowen and Summer Moore – Something Rotten – 2nd Star Productions
• Shania Stewart Duane – White Christmas – Rooftop Productions
• Jeremy A. McShan – The Wedding Singer – Silhouette Stages
• John K. Monnett – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• John Poncy – A Christmas Story, the Musical – City of Fairfax Theatre Company

Outstanding Music Direction (5)

• Rachel Bradley – The Color Purple – St. Mark’s Players
• Andrew Gordon   Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• David Jaynes and Sarah Watson – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Paige Austin Rammelkamp – Into the Woods – The Arlington Players
• Rachel Sandler – Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages

Outstanding Direction of a Musical (5)

• Stephen Foreman – Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages
• Rikki Howie Lacewell – The Color Purple – St. Mark’s Players
• John K. Monnett – Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players
• Vincent Musgrave – Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Joey Olson – Avenue Q – Reston Community Players

Outstanding Direction of a Play (5)

• Beth Giles-Whitehead and David Whitehead – Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax
• Jacob Haythorn – Wit – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Rikki Howie Lacewell – The Mountaintop – Greenbelt Arts Center
• Beth Terranova – Tartuffe – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Rachel Wallace – Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Musical (5)

• Putting It Together – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Young Frankenstein – Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Avenue Q – Reston Community Players
• Sondheim on Sondheim – Silhouette Stages
• Singin’ in the Rain – The Arlington Players

Outstanding Play (5)

• Clybourne Park – City of Fairfax Theatre Company
• Tartuffe – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Wit – Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Don’t Dress for Dinner – Providence Players of Fairfax
• Twelfth Night – Port Tobacco Players

Nominations sorted by theater and show

2nd STAR PRODUCTIONS (4)

• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical – Jane B. Wingard – Matilda
• Outstanding Choreography – Kelsey Meiklejohn Bowen and Summer Moore – Something Rotten
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical – Something Rotten
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical – Jane B. Wingard – Something Rotten

ALDERSGATE CHURCH COMMUNITY THEATRE (2)

• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play – Jeffery Auerbach and Kimberly Crago – A Murder is Announced
• Outstanding Properties in a Play – Margaret Chapman – A Murder is Announced

THE ARLINGTON PLAYERS (19)

• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical – Ken and Patti Crowley – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical – Jeffery Auerbach and Kimberly Crago – Into the Woods
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical – Mary Frances Dini – Into the Woods
• Outstanding Music Direction – Paige Austin Rammelkamp – Into the Woods
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical – Kimberly Leone and Leigh K. Rawls – Into the Woods
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical – Bill Murray – Into the Woods
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical – Larson Miller – Into the Woods
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography – Emily EJ Jones – Into the Woods
• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical – Colleen Prior as “Dora Bailey” – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical – Jessi Shull as “Broadway Vamp” – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Choreography – John K. Monnett – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical – Joan Lawrence – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical – John K. Monnett – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – Stacey Yvonne Claytor as “Lina Lamont” – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical – Robin Maline – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Tim Lewis as “Don Lockwood” – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Musical – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Special Effects – Jon Roberts and Christopher Smith – Singin’ in the Rain
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography – Stefan Sittig – Singin’ in the Rain

BOWIE COMMUNITY THEATRE (9)

• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Sascha Nelson – All My Sons
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Gene Valendo as “Joe Keller” – All My Sons
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Janet Constable Preston as “Kate Keller” – All My Sons
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Fred Nelson – All My Sons
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Brock Brown as “Husband Witherspoon” – The Old Settler
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Dionne Belk as “Quilly McGrath” – The Old Settler
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Jennifer Thomas as “Elizabeth Borny” – The Old Settler
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play – The Cast – The Old Settler
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play – Rose Hull – The Old Settler

CITY OF FAIRFAX THEATRE COMPANY (11)

• Outstanding Choreography – John Poncy – A Christmas Story, the Musical
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical – Mary Frances Dini – Big Fish
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Noah Mutterperl as “Will Bloom” – Big Fish
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Maura Lacy as “Sandra Bloom” – Big Fish
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical – Rebecca Kalant – Big Fish
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical – Paul Pesnell – Big Fish
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography – Katie Warner – Big Fish
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Play – Clybourne Park
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Kevin Dykstra as “Russ/Dan” – Clybourne Park
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Rob Gorman as “Karl/Steve” – Clybourne Park
• Outstanding Play – Clybourne Park

COLONIAL PLAYERS OF ANNAPOLIS (24)

• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Emily Roberge as “Lenny Macgrath” – Crimes of the Heart
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical – Vincent Musgrave – Putting It Together
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical – Putting It Together
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Tommy Malek as “Man 3” – Putting It Together
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – Ashley Gladden-Vellon as “Woman 2” – Putting It Together
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Pam Shilling as “Woman 1” – Putting It Together
• Outstanding Music Direction – Andrew Gordon – Putting It Together
• Outstanding Musical – Putting It Together
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical – Wes Bedsworth – Putting It Together
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Rebecca Kotraba – Ravenscroft
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play – Linda Swann – Tartuffe
• Outstanding Direction of a Play – Beth Terranova – Tartuffe
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – John Halmi as “Tartuffe” – Tartuffe
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Ashley Simon as “Dorine” – Tartuffe
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Rebecca Kotraba – Tartuffe
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play – Rebecca Kotraba – Tartuffe
• Outstanding Play – Tartuffe
• Outstanding Cameo in a Play – Rebecca Ellis as “Emilia Bassano Lanier” – The Book of Will
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Matt Leyendecker as “Richard Burbage” – 3
• Outstanding Direction of a Play – Jacob Haythorn – Wit
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Joi Pride as “Susie Monahan, BSN, RN” – Wit
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Maura Suilebhan as “Vivian Bearing, PhD” – Wit
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play – Jami S. Earnest and Rich Swink – Wit
• Outstanding Play – Wit

DOMINION STAGE (3)

• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play – Charles Dragonette – Boston Marriage
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical – Maurissa Sosa – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Ruben Vellekoop – Misery

FAUQUIER COMMUNITY THEATRE (1)

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical – Christine Maxted as “The Mistress” – Evita

GREENBELT ARTS CENTER (4)

• Outstanding Direction of a Play – Rikki Howie Lacewell – The Mountaintop
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Ryan Willis as “Martin” – The Mountaintop
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Lydia West as “Carmae” – The Mountaintop
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Jim Adams – The Mountaintop

LAUREL MILL PLAYHOUSE (1)

• Outstanding Stage Combat – Joe Downs – Towards Zero

LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA (28)

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play – John Barclay Burns as “Melvil” – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Cameo in a Play – Stuart Fischer as “William Davidson” – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play – Juliana Cofrancesco – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play – Matthew Cheney – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play – Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Properties in a Play – Allison Gray-Mendes – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – Julie Fischer – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play – Luana Bossolo – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Janice Rivera – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography – Ian Claar – Mary Stuart
• Outstanding Special Effects – no listing – Sister Act
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Play – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play – Ken and Patti Crowley – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Properties in a Play – Geoffrey Baskir – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – Shah Choudhury – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play – Charles Dragonette and Jenya Holbert – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play – Charles Dragonette and Jenya Holbert – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Janice Rivera – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Special Effects – Chip Gertzog – Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van
• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical – James Maxted as “The Hermit” – Young Frankenstein
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical – Kadira Coley – Young Frankenstein
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical – Ken and Patti Crowley – Young Frankenstein
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical – Natalie Turkevich – Young Frankenstein
• Outstanding Musical – Young Frankenstein
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical – Jim Hutzler and Jeff Nesmeyer – Young Frankenstein
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical – Robert S. Barr Jr. – Young Frankenstein
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical – Alan Wray – Young Frankenstein

MONTGOMERY PLAYHOUSE (1)

• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Play – Laramie Project

PORT TOBACCO PLAYERS (25)

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Brian Donohue as “Willy Loman” – Death of a Salesman
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – John Merritt – Death of a Salesman
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play – John Merritt – Death of a Salesman
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play – John Merritt – Death of a Salesman
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical – John Merritt – Once Upon a Mattress
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical – Kathy Mead and Joanne Fuessel – Once Upon a Mattress
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical – John Merritt – Once Upon a Mattress
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical – John Merritt – Once Upon a Mattress
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical – Quentin Nash Sagers – Ragtime
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Isaiah Wilson as “Coalhouse Walker Jr.” – Ragtime
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play – Lisa Magee – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Direction of a Play – Rachel Wallace – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Brenna Prestidge as “Malvolio” – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Kaitlyn Bauer Dieguez – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play – Kaitlyn Bauer Dieguez – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Play – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – Scott Hanson – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play – Rachel Wallace – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play – Chris Magee – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play – Mary DeMarco-Logue – Twelfth Night
• Outstanding Cameo in a Play – Kim Bessler as “Gay Wellington” – You Can’t Take It With You
• Outstanding Properties in a Play – Kim Bessler and Selena Zuhoski – You Can’t Take It With You
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – John Merritt and Chuck Hower – You Can’t Take It With You
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play – Nina Grover – You Can’t Take It With You
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play – John Merritt – You Can’t Take It With You

PRINCE WILLIAM LITTLE THEATRE (2)

• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Emily Lagana – Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical – Cana Wade – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

PROVIDENCE PLAYERS OF FAIRFAX (9)

• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography – Michael Donahue – Deathtrap
• Outstanding Direction of a Play – Beth Giles-Whitehead and David Whitehead – Don’t Dress for Dinner
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble – Don’t Dress for Dinner
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Bruce Alan Rauscher as “Robert” – Don’t Dress for Dinner
• Outstanding Play – Don’t Dress for Dinner
• Outstanding Properties – Don’t Dress for Dinner
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – David Whitehead and Patrick David – Don’t Dress for Dinner
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play – Ingrid David – Don’t Dress for Dinner
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play – Ingrid David and Patrick David – Don’t Dress for Dinner

RESTON COMMUNITY PLAYERS (21)

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical – Stacy Crickmer as “Bad Idea Bear” – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical – Ethan Keller as “Bad Idea Bear” – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical – Brittany Washington as “Lucy the Slut” – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical – Joey Olson – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Erich DiCenzo as “Nicky” – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical – Kyla Chua – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Colleen Lynch as “Kate Monster” – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical – Kyla Chua – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Music Direction – David Jaynes and Sarah Watson – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Musical – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical – Mary Jo Ford – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical – Dan Widerski – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical – Alecia Nault – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical – Dan Widerski and Anna Mintz – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical – Cathy Rieder – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical – Elizabeth Shaher – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Special Effects – Dan Widerski – Avenue Q
• Outstanding Cameo in a Play – Damian Leone as “Detective Cole” – Stop Kiss
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play – Franklin Coleman – Stop Kiss
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play – Elizabeth Shaher – Stop Kiss

ROCKVILLE LITTLE THEATRE (1)

• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play – Steve Leshin – Communicating Doors

ROOFTOP PRODUCTIONS (3)

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Chris Maulden Lola/Simon – Kinky Boots
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical – Lauren Hatmaker and Lissa Unrue – Kinky Boots
• Outstanding Choreography – Shania Stewart Duane – White Christmas

SILHOUETTE STAGES (22)

• Outstanding Direction of a Musical – Stephen Foreman – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Matt Wetzel as “Matt” – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – AnnaBelle Lowe as “AnnaBelle” – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – Ellen Quay as “Ellen” – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical – TJ Lukacsina – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Music Direction – Rachel Sandler – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Musical – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Special Effects – Peter Flaherty – Sondheim on Sondheim
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Seth Fallon as “Squidward” – The SpongeBob Musical
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Matt Wetzel as “SpongeBob” – The SpongeBob Musical
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical – TJ Lukacsina – The SpongeBob Musical
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical – Bill Pond – The SpongeBob Musical
• Outstanding Choreography – Jeremy A. McShan – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Seth Fallon as “George” – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – Debbie Mobley as “Rosie” – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical – Tommy Malek – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical – Parker Bailey Steven – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical – Jessie Krupkin – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical – Neal Towsend – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical – Jessie Krupkin – The Wedding Singer
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical – Angie Townsend and Debbie Mobley – The Wedding Singer

SILVER SPRING STAGE (10)

• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play – Jim Haynes – Men on Boats
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play – Nathaniel Cavin – Pride and Prejudice
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Maureen Roult – Pride and Prejudice
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Nicholas Temple as “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy” – Pride and Prejudice
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play – Maureen Roult – Pride and Prejudice
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play – Mary Wakefield – The Revolutionists
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Play – The Revolutionists
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Alex Greenberg as “Marie Antoinette” – The Revolutionists
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Emma Wesslund as “Charlotte Corday” – The Revolutionists
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play – Lauren Agresti – The Revolutionists

ST. MARK’S PLAYERS (7)

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical – Renee L – The Color Purple
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical – Rikki Howie Lacewell – The Color Purple
• Leta Hall Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical – The Color Purple
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Ira Coats Jr. as “Harpo” – The Color Purple
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – Bri Nobles as “Shug” – The Color Purple
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Sheron Lasha as “Celie” – The Color Purple
• Outstanding Music Direction – Rachel Bradley – The Color Purple

STERLING PLAYMAKERS (2)

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play – John Geddie as “Karl Lindner” – A Raisin in the Sun
• Outstanding Cameo in a Play – Eleanore Tapscott as “Mrs. Johnson” – A Raisin in the Sun

VICTORIAN LYRIC OPERA COMPANY (6)

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical – Becca Janney – M.S. Pinafore
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Jillian Wiley as “Josephine” – M.S. Pinafore
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical – Bill Pressley – M.S. Pinafore
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical – Bill Pressley – M.S. Pinafore
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical – Denise Young and Sarah Robinson – The New Moon
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical – Maureen Roult – The New Moon

Congratulations to all of the nominees! 

The 22nd Annual WATCH Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm at The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA. Tickets are $20. For tickets or more information, go online.