2024 OPUS Awards Recap

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OpenStage Theatre & Company hosted its annual Company Picnic and OPUS Awards Ceremony at the Avery House on August 10th. Despite a rainy day, the event was filled with joy and love for the past year of theatre and all who contributed to the productions of the 51st season. 

The new company management team was selected, awards were given to a wide variety of Company members, and plans for next season were discussed. OpenStage is so excited to start it’s 52 season! For a recap on the Company Picnic and the OPUS Nominees and Winners, read below. 

OpenStage’s 2024-2025 Company Management Team:

Stephen Gillespie, Company Manager
Molly McGuire, Company Administrative Assistant
Jake Offen, Company Representative to the Board

Here’s the full list of OPUS nominations, with winners at the top and in bold:

Founder’s Award: Louise Thornton

Shela Jennings Award: Hannah Armstrong

Outstanding Technical Support for the Season:

  • Aubrey Bierman
  • Ivan Andrade
  • Sarah J Baker
  • Alana Eisemann
  • Caleb Gilbert
  • Steven Lewis
  • Molly McGuire
  • Cisco Saavedra
  • Matt Schlief
  • Victoria Villalobos

Outstanding Makeup Design:

  • Tyler Zuschneid – Big Fish
  • Victoria Villalobos – SWEAT
  • Victoria Villalobos – Dance Nation

Outstanding Hair/Wig Design:

  • Shannon Nicole Light – Big Fish
  • Carly Ackerman – SWEAT
  • Kirsten Hovorka – The Book of Will

Outstanding Properties Design and Set Dressing:

  • Allen Edwards – The Book of Will
  • Allen Edwards – SWEAT
  • Brenna Freestone-Gilbert –  Big Fish

Outstanding Sound Design:

  • Victoria Villalobos – The Book of Will
  • Joseph Lamar – SWEAT
  • Heather Ostberg-Johnson & Victoria Villalobos – Dance Nation

Outstanding Lighting Design:

  • Matt Schlief – SWEAT
  • David Grinnell – The Book of Will
  • David Grinnell – Dance Nation

Outstanding Costume Design:

  • Rebecca Evans – The Book of Will
  • Elise Kulovany – SWEAT
  • Rebecca Evans – Twelfth Night

Outstanding Scenic Design: 

  • Caleb Gilbert – The Book of Will
  • James Brookman – SWEAT
  • Caleb Gilbert – Big Fish

Outstanding Performers in a Supporting Role: 

  • David Austin-Groen as Ben Jonson/Edward Dering in The Book of Will
  • Molly McGuire as Oliva in Twelfth Night
  • Andrea Echeverria as Ashley in Dance Nation
  • Caleb Gilbert as Dewey in Six Years Old
  • Miguel Muñoz as Oscar in SWEAT
  • Don Randle as Brucie in SWEAT

Outstanding Performers in a Leading Role:

  • Ghandia Johnson as Cynthia  in SWEAT
  • Jacob Offen as Henry Condell  in The Book of Will
  • Brikaih Floré as Sandra Bloom in Big Fish
  • Kimber Freestone-Hoven as Jason in SWEAT
  • Scott Hurst as Edward Bloom in Big Fish
  • Sydney Parks Smith as Tracy in SWEAT

Outstanding Ensemble:

  • Dance Nation
  • The Book of Will
  • SWEAT

Outstanding Director:

  • Kenny Moten – SWEAT
  • Heather Ostberg-Johnson – Dance Nation
  • Sydney Parks Smith – The Book of Will

Outstanding Production:

  • The Book of Will
  • SWEAT
  • Dance Nation

Director’s Awards:

Six Years Old: Sarah J Baker

Book of Will: Shannon Nicole Light

SWEAT: Alana Eisemann

Big Fish: Ruby Duka

Dance Nation: David Grinnell

Twelfth Night: Cameron Carcasson

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