2018 Winners & Nominees
Winners are listed first, in bold, followed by the other nominees.
Best Play
A View from the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre On Golden Pond, Tallgrass Theatre Prowess, Pyramid Theatre Souvenir, Noce
Best Production, Youth and Family Division
Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In a Play!’ Des Moines Community Playhouse
Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
A Little House Christmas, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
A Little House Christmas, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Shawn Wilson as Eddie Carbone, A View From the Bridge, Tallgrass Theatre
Jim Arthur as Norman Thayer, On Golden Pond, Tallgrass Theatre
Ryan Joseph Broussard as Mark, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Jonathan DeLima as Pastor Paul, The Christians, Iowa Stage Theatre
Michael Ladell Harris as Sam, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Jim Arthur as Norman Thayer, On Golden Pond, Tallgrass Theatre
Ryan Joseph Broussard as Mark, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Jonathan DeLima as Pastor Paul, The Christians, Iowa Stage Theatre
Michael Ladell Harris as Sam, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Louis Reyes McWilliams as Andy, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Thomas Gill as Fred, A Christmas Carol, Iowa Stage Theatre
Michael Ladell Harris as Rodolpho, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
James Serpento as Alfieri, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Aman Soni as Jax, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Thomas Gill as Fred, A Christmas Carol, Iowa Stage Theatre
Michael Ladell Harris as Rodolpho, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
James Serpento as Alfieri, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Aman Soni as Jax, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Greg DiMarco as Gilligan, Gilligan’s Island, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Blake Clyde as Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Derek Phelp as William Barfee, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ankeny Community Theatre
Charlie Reese as Robert, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre Company
Connor Ripperger as Hedwig Robinson, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Blake Clyde as Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Derek Phelp as William Barfee, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ankeny Community Theatre
Charlie Reese as Robert, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre Company
Connor Ripperger as Hedwig Robinson, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Blake Clyde as Sebastian, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Demarius Fisher Jr. as Richie Walters, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Spencer Gilbert as Zach, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Adam Haselhuhn as Drake and others, Honk! Ankeny Community Theatre
Mark Maddy as Pop Hanson and others, Miss Nelson is Missing! Des Moines Community Playhouse
Demarius Fisher Jr. as Richie Walters, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Spencer Gilbert as Zach, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Adam Haselhuhn as Drake and others, Honk! Ankeny Community Theatre
Mark Maddy as Pop Hanson and others, Miss Nelson is Missing! Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Performance by a Rising Star
Sage Johnson as Young Raja in I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Jack Gabby as Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Elyse Hall as Eva in Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Ryan Henzi as the Little Boy in Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Asher Suski as Ugly in Honk! Ankeny Community Theatre
Savannah Trotter as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jack Gabby as Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Elyse Hall as Eva in Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Ryan Henzi as the Little Boy in Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Asher Suski as Ugly in Honk! Ankeny Community Theatre
Savannah Trotter as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Scenic Design
Ronnie Wells, On Golden Pond, Tallgrass Theatre
Nicholas Amundson, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jay Michael Jagim, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Kimberly Manuel, Misery, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Kevin Shelby, A Little House Christmas, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Nicholas Amundson, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jay Michael Jagim, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Kimberly Manuel, Misery, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Kevin Shelby, A Little House Christmas, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Sound Design
Anna Drummond, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Josh Jepson, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Josh Jepson, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Josh Jepson, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Iowa Stage Theatre
Mark Toebben and Jolie Seitz, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Josh Jepson, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Josh Jepson, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Josh Jepson, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Iowa Stage Theatre
Mark Toebben and Jolie Seitz, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Best Music Direction
Brenton Brown, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Brenton Brown, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Ben Hagen, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Rebecca Hunt, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Taylor Anne Weaver, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Brenton Brown, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Ben Hagen, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Rebecca Hunt, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Taylor Anne Weaver, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Special Cloris Awards
Robert John Ford
Lorenzo Sandoval
Lorenzo Sandoval
Best Musical
Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Bring it On: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In a Play!’ Des Moines Community Playhouse
Bring it On: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In a Play!’ Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Performance by an Ensemble, Youth and Family Division
I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Hairspray Jr., Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Honk! Ankeny Community Theatre
A Little House Christmas, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Miss Nelson is Missing! Des Moines Community Playhouse
Hairspray Jr., Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Honk! Ankeny Community Theatre
A Little House Christmas, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Miss Nelson is Missing! Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Gina Gedler as Florence Foster Jenkins, Souvenir, Noce
Deborah Garner as Ethel Thayer, On Golden Pond, Tallgrass Theatre
Vic(toria) O’Byrant as Zora, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Kerry Skram as Beatrice Carbone, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Davida Williams as Sharonne Chapin, Dead Dog Park, Open Door Rep
Deborah Garner as Ethel Thayer, On Golden Pond, Tallgrass Theatre
Vic(toria) O’Byrant as Zora, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Kerry Skram as Beatrice Carbone, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Davida Williams as Sharonne Chapin, Dead Dog Park, Open Door Rep
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Kim Haymes as Jenny, The Christians, Iowa Stage Theatre
Alison Buechler as Sister James, Doubt, Ankeny Community Theatre
Maia Craddock as Avery Willard, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Iowa Stage Theatre
Kellie Kramer as Angela MacDonald, Dead Dog Park, Open Door Rep
Alissa Tschetter-Siedschlaw as Gwen Harper, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Iowa Stage Theatre
Alison Buechler as Sister James, Doubt, Ankeny Community Theatre
Maia Craddock as Avery Willard, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Iowa Stage Theatre
Kellie Kramer as Angela MacDonald, Dead Dog Park, Open Door Rep
Alissa Tschetter-Siedschlaw as Gwen Harper, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Iowa Stage Theatre
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Marisa Spahn as Campbell, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Dani Boal as Mother, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Kellie Kramer as Donna Sheridan, Mamma Mia! Des Moines Community Playhouse
Lauren Malcomson as Janet Weiss, The Rocky Horror Show, Kata Klysmic Productions
Allyson Martens as Piggie, Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In a Play!’ Des Moines Community Playhouse
Dani Boal as Mother, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Kellie Kramer as Donna Sheridan, Mamma Mia! Des Moines Community Playhouse
Lauren Malcomson as Janet Weiss, The Rocky Horror Show, Kata Klysmic Productions
Allyson Martens as Piggie, Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In a Play!’ Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Jackie Schmillen as Ursula, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Lorena Eclatt as Diana Morales, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Erin Horst as Marta, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Rachel Meyer as Yitzhak, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Maddie Ripperger as Bridget, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Lorena Eclatt as Diana Morales, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Erin Horst as Marta, Company, Iowa Stage Theatre
Rachel Meyer as Yitzhak, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Maddie Ripperger as Bridget, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Best Lighting Design
Jim Trenberth, A View from the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Virgil Kleinhesselink, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Virgil Kleinhesselink, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
John Pomeroy and Jonathan Cottle, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Todd Warming, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Virgil Kleinhesselink, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Virgil Kleinhesselink, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
John Pomeroy and Jonathan Cottle, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Todd Warming, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Best Costume and Makeup Design
Mel Ziegenfuss, Souvenir, Noce
Susanna Douthit, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Angela Lampe, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Angela Lampe, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Crimson B. Rosenburg, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Susanna Douthit, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Angela Lampe, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Angela Lampe, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Crimson B. Rosenburg, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kata Klysmic Productions
Best Choreography
Megan Helmers, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
David Decker, Hairspray Jr., Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Megan Helmers, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Megan Helmers, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Alison Shafer, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
David Decker, Hairspray Jr., Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Megan Helmers, A Chorus Line, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Megan Helmers, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Alison Shafer, Ragtime, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Direction
Matthew McIver, A View From the Bridge, Iowa Stage Theatre
Katy Merriman, Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In a Play!’ Des Moines Community Playhouse
Ken-Matt Martin, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Megan Helmers, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Shawn Wilson, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Katy Merriman, Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In a Play!’ Des Moines Community Playhouse
Ken-Matt Martin, Prowess, Pyramid Theatre
Megan Helmers, Bring It On: The Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Shawn Wilson, The Flick, Iowa Stage Theatre
Special Recognition
Calle Sur for music for Iowa Shakespeare Experience
The cast of Utopia: The Iowa Musical Revue
The fight choreographers of Prowess
Iowa Radio Reading Information Service
The cast of Utopia: The Iowa Musical Revue
The fight choreographers of Prowess
Iowa Radio Reading Information Service