The winners of the 2024 Non-Equity Jeff Awards were announced Monday in a ceremony at the Park West, with Refracted Theatre Company, Kokandy Productions and Theo Ubique among the most celebrated. This was the all-volunteer Joseph Jefferson Awards committee’s 50th anniversary in recognizing Chicago’s non-union theater community.
Refracted Theatre Company received eight awards for its play “Tambo & Bones” including honors for production of a play, director, for principal performers and original music.
For musicals, Kokandy Productions won four awards (including best musical) for “American Psycho” and two for “The SpongeBob Musical.” Fellow-Jeffs committee favorite Theo Ubique Theatre took home three awards for its production of “Assassins,” including the much-prized trophy for ensemble of a musical.
The award for ensemble of a play went to Facility Theatre for “Right Now.”
The evening was co-hosted by Chicago performers Neala Barron and Ari Gato. Some 32 recipients were honored from among 144 nominees in 24 categories across a wide spectrum of non-Equity theater companies for productions that ran between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023. The ceremony also honored arts philanthropists Michael and Mona Heath, who have supported many storefront Chicago theaters. More information at www.jeffawards.org.
2024 NON-EQUITY JEFF AWARD WINNERS
PRODUCTION OF A PLAY: “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL: “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions
ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY: “Right Now” – Facility Theatre
ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL: “Assassins” – Theo Ubique Theatre
Kokandy Productions
Evan Hanover/HANDOUT Kyle Patrick with Emily Holland, Hailey Brisard and Quinn Simmons in “American Psycho” by Kokandy Productions.
NEW WORK:
Mora V. Harris – “Indoor Cats” – Red Theater
John Hildreth – “Cat’s Cradle” – Lifeline Theatre
Shannon O’Neill – “The Kelly Girls” – The Factory Theater
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY: Mikael Burke – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL: Derek Van Barham – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY:
Patrick Newson Jr. (Bones) – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
William Anthony Sebastian Rose II (Tambo) – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL:
Kyle Patrick (Patrick Bateman) – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions
Rory Schrobilgen (Chuck Baxter) – “Promises, Promises” – Blank Theatre Company
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY:
Shawna Franks (Juliette) – “Right Now” – Facility Theatre
Sarah Wisterman (Panda) – “Indoor Cats” – Red Theater
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL:
Parker Guidry (Sheldon J. Plankton) – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy Productions
Jon Parker Jackson (Samuel Byck) – “Assassins” – Theo Ubique Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A SHORT RUN: “That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” – Visión Latino Theatre Company
ENSEMBLE OF A SHORT RUN: “Once on This Island” – PULSE Theatre Company
DIRECTOR OF A SHORT RUN: Xavier M. Custodio – “That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” – Visión Latino Theatre Company
PERFORMER – SHORT RUN:
Jack Hradecky (Mr. Peel) – “The Minutes” – Edge of the Wood Theatre
Kris Tori (Alfonsina Storni) – “North & Sur” – Water People Theater
SCENIC DESIGN: Kevin Hagan – “Dying For It” – The Artistic Home
COSTUME DESIGN: Beth Laske-Miller and Rachel Sypniewski – “I Promised Myself to Live Faster” – Hell in a Handbag Productions
SOUND DESIGN: Ethan Korvne – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
LIGHTING DESIGN: Eric Watkins – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
PROJECTION DESIGN: Eme Ospina-López – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
CHOREOGRAPHY: Breon Arzell – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions
MUSIC DIRECTION: Heidi Joosten – “Assassins” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY: Ethan Korvne – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION: Ele Matelan (Foley design) – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy Productions