2019 Winners & Nominees
The winners are listed first, in bold, followed by the other nominees.
Best Play
Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Disgraced, Iowa Stage Theatre
The Friendly Hour, TheatreMidwest
Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre
Disgraced, Iowa Stage Theatre
The Friendly Hour, TheatreMidwest
Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre
Best Production, Youth and Family Division
Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
13, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Elf: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Des Moines Community Playhouse
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
13, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Elf: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Des Moines Community Playhouse
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Sid Juwarker as Amir, Disgraced, Iowa Stage Theatre
Freddie Fulton as Bowzie Brandon, Too Heavy For Your Pocket, Pyramid Theatre
Michael LaDell Harris as Doug, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
James Serpento as Henry II, The Lion In Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Chris Williams as Randle Patrick McMurphy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Freddie Fulton as Bowzie Brandon, Too Heavy For Your Pocket, Pyramid Theatre
Michael LaDell Harris as Doug, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
James Serpento as Henry II, The Lion In Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Chris Williams as Randle Patrick McMurphy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Brendan Dunphy as Mr. Marks, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Michael Clinkscales as Geoffrey, The Lion in Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Jonathan DeLima as Isaac, Disgraced, Iowa Stage Theatre
Spencer Gilbert as Long John Silver, Treasure Island, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Randy Stone as Martini, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Michael Clinkscales as Geoffrey, The Lion in Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Jonathan DeLima as Isaac, Disgraced, Iowa Stage Theatre
Spencer Gilbert as Long John Silver, Treasure Island, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Randy Stone as Martini, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Gavin Runles as Jack Kelly, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jay Jacobson as Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Mitch Kedzior as William “Buddy” Hobbs, Elf: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Keaton Lane as Warren, Ordinary Days, Tallgrass Theatre
Craig Petersen as Bruce Bechdel, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Jay Jacobson as Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Mitch Kedzior as William “Buddy” Hobbs, Elf: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Keaton Lane as Warren, Ordinary Days, Tallgrass Theatre
Craig Petersen as Bruce Bechdel, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Dave Wagner as Frank Abagnale Sr., Catch Me If You Can, Des Moines Community Playhouse
John Butz as A. Samuel Koffman, Six-on-Six: The Musical, Urbandale Community Theatre/Epic Stage Productions
Craig Irvin as Gregory Green, Six-on-Six: The Musical, Urbandale Community Theatre/Epic Stage Productions
Will Johnson as Crutchie, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Mitchell Nieland as Paul/Gremio, Kiss Me, Kate, Ankeny Community Theatre
John Butz as A. Samuel Koffman, Six-on-Six: The Musical, Urbandale Community Theatre/Epic Stage Productions
Craig Irvin as Gregory Green, Six-on-Six: The Musical, Urbandale Community Theatre/Epic Stage Productions
Will Johnson as Crutchie, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Mitchell Nieland as Paul/Gremio, Kiss Me, Kate, Ankeny Community Theatre
Jeanne Hopson Rising Star
Ryan Henzi as Les Jacobs in Disney’s Newsies, Snoopy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Michael in Billy Elliot: The Musical
Charlie Bishop as Evan in 13
Anastasia Deace as Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde: The Musical Jr. and Evie in Eat Your Heart Out
Bailey Dorr as Lucy in 13
Jack Gabby as John Bechdel in Fun Home and Michael Hobbs in Elf: The Musical
Tatum Lowell as Debbie Wilkinson in Billy Elliot: The Musical and Kendra in 13
Carl Tubbs as Archie in 13
Addison Tullis as Patrice in 13
Charlie Bishop as Evan in 13
Anastasia Deace as Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde: The Musical Jr. and Evie in Eat Your Heart Out
Bailey Dorr as Lucy in 13
Jack Gabby as John Bechdel in Fun Home and Michael Hobbs in Elf: The Musical
Tatum Lowell as Debbie Wilkinson in Billy Elliot: The Musical and Kendra in 13
Carl Tubbs as Archie in 13
Addison Tullis as Patrice in 13
Best Scenic Design
Nicholas Amundson, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Nicholas Amundson, Silent Sky, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jay Jagim, The Lion In Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Amanda Pichler, Treasure Island, Des Moines Young Artists Theatre
Ronnie Wells, The Foreigner, Tallgrass Theatre
Nicholas Amundson, Silent Sky, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jay Jagim, The Lion In Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Amanda Pichler, Treasure Island, Des Moines Young Artists Theatre
Ronnie Wells, The Foreigner, Tallgrass Theatre
Best Sound Design
Mark Toebben, Silent Sky, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Gabriel Clausen, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre Company
Gabriel Clausen, Too Heavy For Your Pocket, Pyramid Theatre Company
Josh Jepson, Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre Company
Josh Jepson, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Gabriel Clausen, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre Company
Gabriel Clausen, Too Heavy For Your Pocket, Pyramid Theatre Company
Josh Jepson, Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre Company
Josh Jepson, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Music Direction
Adam Yankowy, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Brenton Brown, Catch Me If You Can, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Brenton Brown, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Francine Griffith, Ordinary Days, Tallgrass Theatre
Adam Yankowy, 13, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Brenton Brown, Catch Me If You Can, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Brenton Brown, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Francine Griffith, Ordinary Days, Tallgrass Theatre
Adam Yankowy, 13, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Special Award for Lifetime Achievement
John Viars, Artistic Director Emeritus, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Musical
Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
13, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Ordinary Days, Tallgrass Theatre
13, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Ordinary Days, Tallgrass Theatre
Best Performance by an Ensemble, Youth and Family Division
13, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Legally Blonde: The Musical Jr., Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Treasure Island, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Legally Blonde: The Musical Jr., Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Treasure Island, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Davida Williams as Esther, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Jami Bassman Ahart as Dorcas Briggle, The Friendly Hour, TheatreMidwest Maggie Jane as Kayleen, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
Kerry Skram as Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Lion in Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Alissa Tschetter-Siedschlaw as Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre
Jami Bassman Ahart as Dorcas Briggle, The Friendly Hour, TheatreMidwest Maggie Jane as Kayleen, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
Kerry Skram as Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Lion in Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Alissa Tschetter-Siedschlaw as Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Deidra Mohr as Isabelle Hagen and others, The Friendly Hour, TheatreMidwest
Tiffany Flory as Opal Zweifel, The Friendly Hour, Theatre Midwest
Kim Haymes as Alice, Eat Your Heart Out, Tallgrass Theatre
Jennifer Hughes as Lana Sherwood and others, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Iowa Stage Theatre
DeShana Langford as Mayme, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Tiffany Flory as Opal Zweifel, The Friendly Hour, Theatre Midwest
Kim Haymes as Alice, Eat Your Heart Out, Tallgrass Theatre
Jennifer Hughes as Lana Sherwood and others, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Iowa Stage Theatre
DeShana Langford as Mayme, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Allyson Martens as Ella, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse Taylor Millar as Jolynn Hanrahan, Six-on-Six: The Musical, Urbandale Community Theatre/Epic Stage Productions
Ashley Rogers as Lucy van Pelt, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Ankeny Community Theatre
Lauren Taylor as Katherine Plumber, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Michelle Vaudrin as Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Ashley Rogers as Lucy van Pelt, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Ankeny Community Theatre
Lauren Taylor as Katherine Plumber, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Michelle Vaudrin as Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Carousel Theatre of Indianola
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Erin Horst as Helen Bechdel, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Alison Buechler as Deb, Elf: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Poni Lejukole as Medium Alison, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Rachel Meyer as Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Deidra Mohr as Riff Raff, The Rocky Horror Show, Kata Klysmic Productions
Alison Buechler as Deb, Elf: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Poni Lejukole as Medium Alison, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
Rachel Meyer as Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Deidra Mohr as Riff Raff, The Rocky Horror Show, Kata Klysmic Productions
Best Lighting Design
Dan Stratman, Silent Sky, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Mandy Heath, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jay Jagim, The Lion In Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
John Pomeroy, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Todd Warming, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
Mandy Heath, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Jay Jagim, The Lion In Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
John Pomeroy, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Todd Warming, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Iowa Stage Theatre
Best Costume and Makeup Design
Susanna Douthit, The Lion in Winter, Iowa Stage Theatre
Nicholas Amundson, The Rocky Horror Show, Kata Klysmic Productions
Susanna Douthit, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Emily Ganfield, Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre
Angela Lampe, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Nicholas Amundson, The Rocky Horror Show, Kata Klysmic Productions
Susanna Douthit, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Emily Ganfield, Macbeth, Iowa Stage Theatre
Angela Lampe, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Best Choreography
Megan Helmers, Disney’s Newsies, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Dee Bollinger, Kiss Me, Kate, Ankeny Community Theatre
Megan Helmers, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Erin Horst, Catch Me If You Can, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Alison Shafer, Six-On-Six: The Musical, Urbandale Community Theatre/Epic Stage Productions
Dee Bollinger, Kiss Me, Kate, Ankeny Community Theatre
Megan Helmers, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Erin Horst, Catch Me If You Can, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Alison Shafer, Six-On-Six: The Musical, Urbandale Community Theatre/Epic Stage Productions
Best Direction
Tiffany Johnson, Intimate Apparel, Pyramid Theatre
Jodi Jinks, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Katy Merriman, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
John Viars, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Tom Woldt, The Friendly Hour, TheatreMidwest
Jodi Jinks, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Katy Merriman, Fun Home, Iowa Stage Theatre
John Viars, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Tom Woldt, The Friendly Hour, TheatreMidwest
Special Recognition
Kim Haymes and the Foley team, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Iowa Stage Theatre
Puppets, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Timothy Rose for his website A Gentle Guide to Des Moines Theatre
Puppets, Ella Enchanted, Des Moines Community Playhouse
Timothy Rose for his website A Gentle Guide to Des Moines Theatre