Nominations for the prestigious Helen Hayes Awards for theater productions in the Washington, DC, region in the 2024 calendar year were announced this week.
Recognizing work from 165 eligible productions, nominations were announced in 41 categories and grouped in “Helen” or “Hayes” cohorts, depending on the number of Equity members involved in the production. Nominations are the result of 51 judges considering 2,188 individual pieces of work, such as design, direction, choreography, performances, writing, and more. Productions under consideration in 2024 included 57 musicals, 108 plays, and 37 world premieres.
Named for actor Helen Hayes – a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre – the Helen Hayes Awards has honored excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region for four decades.
The theaters in Montgomery County with the most nominations:
- Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo: 11 nominations including 8 for She Persisted
- Imagination Stage in Bethesda: 8 nominations for Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood
- Olney Theater: 6 nominations including 3 for Avaaz
- Round House Theatre in Bethesda: 4 nominations including 2 for Topdog/Underdog
“We are thrilled and honored to be nominated alongside the incredible DC artists that make this theatre town so special. With persistence and a whole lot of heart, ATMTC is back and here to stay!” Adventure Theatre MTC Artistic Director Kurt Boehm told MCM.
“This success is only possible because of the generous support of our Maryland and Montgomery County community. Thank you for ensuring we can continue to share exciting and important work with our young audiences!” ATMTC Executive Director Sarah Chapin said.
Paris Francesca, who nominated for Costume Designs on Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood and on She Persisted told MCM “The arts are the soul of any thriving community, and the DMV theatre scene truly reflects that. The talent here is exceptional, and there’s a strong sense of collaboration and support among local artists. To have the Helen Hayes Awards shine a light on the work being done in the area is so important—it acknowledges the dedication, creativity, and hard work of artists who may not always receive the recognition they deserve. It’s such a vital celebration of the cultural heartbeat of the DMV.
For a complete list of nominations and nominees:
Winners will be announced Monday, May 19, 2025 at The Anthem in Washington D.C.
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