October 23, 2023
Every year, the B. Iden Payne Council, a volunteer organization sponsored by the Austin Creative Alliance, is tasked with viewing and nominating outstanding production elements in Austin. The Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as its students, faculty, alumni and staff, were nominated for many awards in a broad range of categories.
The winners, including many Theatre and Dance affiliates, were announced at the B. Iden Payne Awards Ceremony on October 23, 2023.
View the full list of nominees and winners here. Congratulations to all!
2022/2023 B. Iden Payne Award Nominees and Winners
Comedy
Outstanding Production of a Comedy
Disco Dracula, La Fenice
Featuring Kelly Hasandras (B.A. 2005) among the cast
In the Beginning, Grackle Jack Productions
Featuring dramaturg Sam Mayer (M.F.A. 2021) and creative collaborator Kelsey Oliver (B.F.A. 2015)
The (One-Act) Play That Goes Wrong, Austin Playhouse - WINNER
Featuring actor Ben G. Bazán (B.A. 2012) and lighting designer Mark Novick (B.A. 2000)
Outstanding Direction of a Comedy
Jenny Lavery (M.F.A. candidate), In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Comedy
Mack Thornton (current student) as "Addy, Jordan," In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Drama
Outstanding Production of a Drama
...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Roe, ZACH Theatre
Featuring director Jenny Lavery (M.F.A. Candidate), scenic and properties designer Michelle Ney (M.F.A. 1989), projection designer Stephanie Busing (M.F.A. 2014), lighting designer Rachel Atkinson (M.F.A. 2013), sound designer Phillip Owen (faculty), AEA assistant stage manager Aly Redland (B.A. 2020) and cast member Sandra Valls (attended)
Yamel Cucuy, Glass Half Full Theatre - WINNER
Featuring dramaturg James Montaño (Ph.D. candidate) and lighting designer Rachel Atkinson (M.F.A. 2013), with spirit costumes by Annie Ulrich (M.F.A. 2021) and voice acting by Anna Skidis Vargas (M.F.A. 2021)
Outstanding Direction of a Drama
Jenny Lavery (M.F.A. candidate), Roe, ZACH Theatre
Braxton Rae (M.F.A. 2023), ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Outstanding Featured Performer In a Drama
Faith Anderson as "Charlotte, Charlie," ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Yunina Barbour-Payne (Ph.D. candidate) as "Nancy," Box, Penfold Theatre Company
Se’An Boatner (B.F.A. 2023) as "Marigold," ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Musical Theatre
Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Dragonfly Princess, VORTEX Repertory Company
Featuring director Bonnie Cullum (M.F.A. 1989), lighting designer Jason Amato (attended), costume designer Pam Friday (B.F.A. 1979) and assistant director Kristie Schuh (B.A. 2010),
Grease, Impact Arts’ Summer Stock Austin
Featuring director Michael Ávila (faculty), music director by J. Quinton Johnson (attended), stage manager Rylee Vines (current student), lighting designer Rachel Atkinson (M.F.A. 2013) and properties design by Rachael Gomez (B.F.A. 1986), with additional choreography by Khali Sykes (B.A. 2021) and Ginger Morris (B.F.A. 2000),
The Last Five Years, Deaf Austin Theatre & Ground Floor Theatre
Featuring costume designer Desiree Humphries (staff) and lighting designer Amber Whatley (M.F.A. 2021)
Lizzie: The Musical, Doctuh Mistuh Productions, Haymaker Players & Austin Playhouse - WINNER
Featuring actor Leslie Hollingsworth (B.A. 2005)
The Wizard of Oz, Impact Arts’ Summer Stock Austin
Featuring music director J. Quinton Johnson (attended), lighting designer Rachel Atkinson (M.F.A. 2013), properties designer Rachael Gomez (B.F.A. 1986) and choreographer Khali Sykes (B.A. 2021), with additional choreography by Ginger Morris (B.F.A. 2000)
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Bonnie Cullum (M.F.A. 1989), The Dragonfly Princess, VORTEX Repertory Company
Outstanding Music Direction
J. Quinton Johnson (attended), Grease, Impact Arts’ Summer Stock Austin
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical
Connor Barr (B.A. 2018) as "Will Bloom," Big Fish, Austin Playhouse
Theatre for Young Audiences
Outstanding Production of Theatre for Young Audiences
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, ZACH Theatre
Featuring actor Oktavea Williams (B.A. 2017)
Luchadora!, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre - WINNER
Featuring director Khristián Méndez Aguirre (Ph.D. candidate), scenic designer Tenzing Ortega (UT Live Design and Production), fight director Roén R. Salinas (Ph.D. 2015) and hair and makeup designer Tara Cooper (B.A. 2006),
The Snow, ACC Department of Drama
Featuring scenic and media designer Rachel Atkinson (M.F.A. 2013), dramaturg Carrie Kaplan (M.F.A. 2016), producer and ACC Department Chair Marcus McQuirter (Ph.D. 2012), assistant stage manager Lindsey Ollinger (B.A. 2020)
Outstanding Direction of Theatre for Young Audiences
Khristián Méndez Aguirre (Ph.D. candidate), Luchadora!, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre - WINNER
Outstanding Featured Performer in Theatre for Young Audiences
Oktavia LaToi (B.A. 2017) as "Fish," Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, ZACH Theatre - WINNER
Short Plays
Outstanding Performer in a Short Play
Roberto Soto (B.A. 2022) as "Peter," “Dreams,” Out of Ink 2023: Family Traditions, ScriptWorks
Juleeane Villarreal (B.A. 2020) as "Maggs," “Dreams,” Out of Ink 2023: Family Traditions, ScriptWorks - WINNER
Juleeane Villarreal (B.A. 2020) as "Dos," “Roost,” Out of Ink 2023: Family Traditions, ScriptWorks
Improvised Theatre
Outstanding Production of Improvised Theatre
Ramalamadingdong High, Hideout Theatre
Featuring co-director and cast member Kelly Hasandras (B.A. 2005) and stage manager and dramaturg Megan Rabuse (B.A. 2016)
Direction of Improvised Theatre
Mallory Schlossberg and Kelly Hasandras (B.A. 2005), Ramalamadingdong High, Hideout Theatre
Cast of Improvised Theatre
Ramalamadingdong High, Hideout Theatre - WINNER
Featuring co-director and cast member Kelly Hasandras (B.A. 2005)
Ethel Hinkley Award for Outstanding New Troupe
Jane Austin Improv - WINNER
Featuring Rebecca East (B.F.A. 2020) among the cast
Marty DeMaat Award for Outstanding Itinerant Troupe
Golden: Silent Improvised Theatre
Featuring Suzanne Link (B.F.A. 1996) among the cast
Other Performances
Movement Performance
Kobe Williams, Yusef Dixon, Faith Anderson and Se’An Boatner (cast), ...but you could have held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Dance Performance
...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Grease, Impact Arts’ Summer Stock Austin
Featuring additional choreography by Khali Sykes (B.A. 2021) and Ginger Morris (B.F.A. 2000),
The Wizard of Oz, Impact Arts’ Summer Stock Austin - WINNER
Featuring choreographer Khali Sykes (B.A. 2021), with additional choreography by Ginger Morris (B.F.A. 2000)
Puppetry Performance
Casta, Salvage Vanguard Theater & Blanton Museum of Art
Featuring cast members Ja’Michael De’Shawn (B.A. 2014) and Ben G. Bazán (B.A. 2012)
Solo Performance
Oktavea LaToi (B.A. 2017), i see you. you’re seen., VORTEX Repertory Company
Small Cast
...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Fire in Dreamland, Filigree Theatre
Featuring actor Allen Porterie (M.F.A. candidate)
Large Cast
Lizzie: The Musical, Doctuh Mistuh Productions, Haymaker Players & Austin Playhouse
Featuring actor Leslie Hollingsworth (B.A. 2005)
Roe, ZACH Theatre - WINNER
Featuring Sandra Valls (attended)
Yamel Cucuy, Glass Half Full Theatre,
Featuring voice actor Anna Skidis Vargas (M.F.A. 2021)
Composition
Original Score
Keith Galloway, ….but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Dramaturgy
Rebecca Fitton (M.A. 2023), In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Sam Mayer (M.F.A. 2021), In the Beginning, Grackle Jack Productions
James Montaño (Ph.D. candidate) and Alexis Arredondo, Yamel Cucuy, Glass Half Full Theatre - WINNER
Intimacy Director
Andy Grapko (faculty), ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance - WINNER
Andy Grapko (faculty), Sanctuary City, Ground Floor Theatre
Dance Choreography
Kristie Copeland and Ginger Morris (B.F.A. 2000), Grease, Impact Arts’ Summer Stock Austin
Khali Sykes (B.A. 2021), The Wizard of Oz, Impact Arts’ Summer Stock Austin - WINNER
Movement Design
Khristián Méndez Aguirre (Ph.D. candidate), Luchadora!, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre
Love Muwwakkil (M.F.A. 2023), ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Fight Choreography
Tobie Minor, In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Roén R. Salinas (Ph.D. 2015), Luchadora!, SEU Mary Moody Northen Theatre - WINNER
Design
Set Design
Rachel Atkinson (M.F.A. 2013), The Snow, ACC Department of Drama
Alex Rockey (M.F.A. candidate), ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Lighting Design
Jason Amato (attended), The Dragonfly Princess, VORTEX Repertory Company - WINNER
Amber Whatley (M.F.A. 2021), …but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Costume Design
Meagan Beattie, In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Pamela Friday (B.F.A. 1979), The Dragonfly Princess, VORTEX Repertory Company
Media Design
Stephanie Busing (M.F.A. 2014), Roe, ZACH Theatre
Jackson Cobb (M.F.A. 2023), ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Puppet Design
Annie Ulrich (M.F.A. 2021), Caroline Reck, Indigo Rael and Connor Hopkins, Yamel Cucuy, Glass Half Full Theatre - WINNER
Hair and Makeup Design
Mia Wilson, ...but you could've held my hand, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Wig and Headpiece Design
Serret Jensen, In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play, UT Department of Theatre and Dance
Special Certificates
Scenic Charge Painting, Luchadora!
Scenic design by Tenzing Ortega (UT Live Design and Production)
Arts Incubation, Frontera Fest
Produced in collaboration with ScriptWorks, under executive artistic director Christina J. Moore (M.F.A. 1993)