Belfry Nominated for 30 Encore Awards!

Congratulations to the Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s The Belfry Theatre, which has received 30 Encore Association nominations for the 2022-23 Encore Awards.

The Encore Awards celebrate excellence in community theater. Congratulations to our cast and crew nominees!

Winners will be announced during the annual awards night at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at The Toby at Indianapolis Museum of Art in Indianapolis.

Here are The Belfry nominations:

• Best Production of a Drama: Betsy Reason, producer, “Rehearsal for Murder”; and Diane Wilson, producer, “The Great Gatsby.”
• Best Director of a Drama: Andrea Odle, “The Great Gatsby”; and Diane Wilson, “Rehearsal for Murder.”
• Best Lead Actor in a Drama: Troy Bridges, “The Great Gatsby”; and Kelly Keller, “Rehearsal for Murder.”
• Best Lead Actress in a Comedy: Becca Bartley, “Crimes of the Heart”; and Sara Eberhardt, “Crimes of the Heart.”
• Best Lead Actress in a Drama: Tessa Gibbons, “The Great Gatsby.”
• Best Major Supporting Actor in a Drama: Jackson Stollings, "The Great Gatsby."
• Best Major Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Ka’Lena Cuevas, “Crimes of the Heart.”
• Best Major Supporting Actress in a Drama: Olivia Carrier, “Rehearsal for Murder”; Jessica Hawkins, “The Great Gatsby”; and Kim O’Mara, “Rehearsal for Murder.”
• Best Cameo in a Drama: Cindy Duncan, “Rehearsal for Murder.”
• Best Ensemble in a Comedy: The Three Sisters, “Crimes of the Heart.”
• Best Performer Under the Age of 18 in a Drama: Rachel Bush, “The Great Gatsby.”
• Best Costumes for a Drama: Addie Taylor and Judy McGroarty, “The Great Gatsby.”
• Best Set Design of a Comedy: Jen Otterman, “Crimes of the Heart.”
• Best Set Decoration of a Comedy: Nicole Amsler and Jen Otterman, “Crimes of the Heart.”
• Best Lighting Design for a Comedy: Eric Matters, “Crimes of the Heart.”
• Best Lighting Design for a Drama: Brian Coon, “The Great Gatsby.”
• Best Light Board Operation for a Drama: Lexi Odle, “The Great Gatsby.”
• Best Props for a Play (combined category): Nicole Amsler and Jen Otterman, “Crimes of the Heart”; and Lindsay Vest, “Around the World in 80 Days.”
• Best Stage Manager of a Play (combined category): Monya Wolf, “Around the World in 80 Days.”
• Best Lead Actress in a Musical: Ellen Vander Missen, “The Sound of Music.”
• Best Major Supporting Actor in a Musical: Rob Lawson, “The Sound of Music.”
• Best Major Supporting Actress in a Musical: Susan Boliek Smith, “The Sound of Music.”
• Best Female Singer: Ellen Vander Missen, “The Sound of Music.”

Also, The Belfry Theatre Apprentice Players youth cast members ages 5-18 from the summer’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” are expected to perform during a Rising Star portion of the program at the Encore Awards on Oct. 23.

The 53-year-old Encore Association is comprised of nonprofessional, nonprofit community theaters. Its board annually plays host to this awards ceremony recognizing excellence from the previous theatrical season. A committee of judges view productions and select nominees. This year, there are about 60 categories.

The Encore Association awards ceremony is traditionally the social event of the year, like the Oscars, or the Tonys, but for community theater, where people dress to the nines, and cheer on fellow thespians lucky enough to go home with awards for being the best in their show.

Visit EncoreAssociation.net for more information and also for tickets beginning Oct. 1. For more information about The Belfry Theatre’s season, visit www.belfrytheatre.com