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Oh, what a night! The Omaha Community Playhouse hosted our annual Awards Night on Monday, June 30, 2025, in the Hawks Mainstage Theatre. A dazzling conclusion to our historic centennial year, the evening was dedicated to recognizing the outstanding body of work presented on our two stages over the course of our 24/25 Season and the contribution of OCP actors, crew members, front-of-house volunteers, and staff.
Emcees included co-Artistic Directors Susan Baer Collins and Alex Rodriguez. Presenters included previous award recipients, members of our Board of Directors, and staff. Live performances included musical selections from Jersey Boys, Waitress, The Old Man and The Old Moon, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, American Mariachi, and Titanic The Musical.
In addition to legacy awards, a new award was announced, the Jerry Longe Award, recognizing exceptional service to OCP’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. The award is named for the late and beloved Jerry Longe, well-known actor who appeared in numerous OCP productions over the previous decades and graced the stage as Ebenezer Scrooge for 17 years.
Each season, more than 500 volunteers contribute their time and talents to OCP, the largest community-based theatre in the country. Bringing stories to the stage is a community effort and our community turned out to honor and applaud castmates, colleagues, and peers. Congratulations to our award recipients and to all who were part of an unforgettable season of extraordinary theatre!
Fonda McGuire Award
In recognition of the most outstanding performances of the season — the most prestigious acting award given by OCP.
Tanner Langemeier – Jersey Boys
Monica Weber – Waitress
Dick Boyd Award
Awarded periodically in recognition of exceptional contributions to the stage.
Julie Huff
Outstanding Ensemble Award
In recognition of the most outstanding ensemble performance of the season in a play and musical.
American Mariachi
Jersey Boys
Mary Peckham Award
In recognition of a memorable performance in a feature role in a play or musical.
Lea Ramos – American Mariachi
Kevin Olsen – The Old Man and The Old Moon
Evelyn Hill – Waitress
Conner Holben – Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville
Chris Ebke – Titanic The Musical
Barbara Ford Award
In recognition of a memorable performance in a supporting role in a play or musical.
Kiley Mileán – American Mariachi
Sophia Hernandez-Rodas – American Mariachi
Kerri Forrester – Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville
Curtis Reynolds – Waitress
Elaine Jabenis Cameo Award
In recognition of a memorable performance in a small role in a play or musical.
Marilyn Martinez Avalos – American Mariachi
Adam Bassing – Dot
Ethan Dragon – Jersey Boys
Bri Davis – Waitress
Bill Bailey Debut Award
In recognition of an outstanding performance in a first OCP appearance in a play or musical.
Travis Manley – Angels In America
Marina Rosado – American Mariachi
Will Hastreiter – Jersey Boys
Mike Hale – Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville
Jerry Longe Award
In recognition for exceptional service to the production of A Christmas Carol.
Don Keelan-White
Special Season 100 Award
In recognition for extraordinary work in dance during Season 100.
Tyra Smith
Jim Eisenhardt Outstanding Youth Award
In recognition of an outstanding youth performance in a play or musical.
Thomas Rogers – Titanic The Musical
Izabella May – A Christmas Carol
Outstanding Youth Debut Award
In recognition of an outstanding youth performance in a first OCP appearance.
Burke Wehrly – A Christmas Carol
Amiyah Fleming and Alaina Slaughter – Waitress
Season 100 Stage Manager Acknowledgements
Recognizing and honoring the stage managers of the 2024/25 Season.
Emma Aldrich – Girls Like Us
Maggie Carolus – The Old Man and The Old Moon
Gabby Hiatt – Dot
Kenzie Jensen – Waitress
Melissa Linn – American Mariachi
Grace Luis – Angels In America
Steve Priesman – Jersey Boys, Titanic The Musical
Jeanne Shelton – A Christmas Carol, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville
Backstage Valuable Service Awards
In recognition of outstanding backstage work.
Backstage Crew
Ashley Clem, Becki Deiber, Emma Evans, Elizabeth Greer, Karen Hector, Kelley Helm, Tony Henning, Jack Lammers, Heather Marchio, Mike Neeson, Kevin Study, Lisa Wisnia
Wardrobe
Margaret McCrina, Seth Ives-Hubin, Katelyn Means, Cecily Zdan, Sam Girouex, Lou Farmer, Stephanie Patzer, Cheryl Teser, Cheri Vossberg, Jenna Homan, Abigail Grewcock, Rachel Paradis, Shelby Cervantes-Sheard
Dee and Ed Owen Award
Presented to corporations, foundations and individuals whose partnership and contributions have nurtured and sustained the ongoing development of the Omaha Community Playhouse.
Rotella’s Italian Bakery
Trustees’ Award
In recognition of special distinguished service to the Omaha Community Playhouse.
Camille Metoyer Moten
President’s Award
In recognition for extraordinary leadership and work for OCP in areas of activities excluding performance or production.
Bruce Friedlander
Omaha Community Playhouse Staff Milestone Awards
In recognition for dedicated years of service at the Omaha Community Playhouse.
35 Years of Service: Lanelle Poole
10 Years of Service: Don Risiavi
