The 2019 Helen Hayes Awards, celebrating theater excellence in the Washington, D.C. area, nominated four Fairfax County theaters with a total of 26 nominations. Leading the nominations in Fairfax is 1st Stage, who received 22 nominations, second only to Arena Stage for most nominations awarded. Brave Spirits Theatre, NextStop Theater Company and The Hub Theater each received two nominations. Winners are to be announced on Monday, May 13 at The Anthem – District Wharf.
- 1st Stage, led by Artistic and Managing Director Alex Levy, received the following nominations:
Outstanding Musical Direction:
Walter “Bobby” McCoy, Fly by Night
Markus Williams, A Civil War Christmas
Outstanding Costume Design: Debra Kim Sevigny, Swimming With Whales
Outstanding Sound Design: Sarah O’Halloran, Swimming With Whales
Outstanding Direction in a Musical: Kathryn Chase Bryer, Fly By Night
Outstanding Direction in a Play:
Alex Levy, The Farnsworth Invention
Alex Levy, Swimming With Whales
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical: Fly by Night
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play:
The Farnsworth Invention
Swimming With Whales
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical: Ryan Manning, Fly by Night
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
Farrell Parker, Fly by Night
Caroline Wolfson, Fly by Night
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Amanda Forstrom, The Farnsworth Invention
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
Aaron Bliden, Fly by Night
Jamie Smithson, Fly by Night
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:
Sam Ludwig, The Farnsworth Invention
Jonathan Lee Taylor, The Farnsworth Invention
Matthew R. Wilson, Swimming With Whales
Outstanding Production in a Musical: Fly by Night
Outstanding Production in a Play:
The Farnsworth Invention
Swimming With Whales
- Brave Spirits Theatre led by producing artistic director Charlene V. Smith received the following nominations:
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play: The Trojan Women Project
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Nicole Ruthmarie, The Trojan Women Project
- NextStop Theatre Company led by producing artistic director Evan Hoffmann received the following nominations:
Outstanding Supporting Actor in Play: Jacob Yeh, East of Eden
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Mary Myers, 45 Plays for 45 Presidents
- The Hub Theater led by artistic director Matt Bassett received the following nominations:
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Sasha Olinick, The Secrets of the Universe (and other songs)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Lolita Marie, The Secrets of the Universe (and other songs)
“Theatre in Fairfax County is not as widely-known as it should be, so the recent Helen Hayes Awards recognition of the excellence and vitality of our local theaters is critical to helping change that perception locally and regionally. It’s an extraordinary testament to the artists and organizations ARTSFAIRFAX has invested in over the years and we applaud their success,” says Linda S. Sullivan, President & CEO of ARTSFAIRFAX.