2026 OPUS Awards Recap

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OpenStage Theatre & Company hosted its annual Company Picnic and OPUS Awards Ceremony at the historic Avery House on August 1st. The afternoon was filled with celebration, gratitude, and love for another remarkable year of theatre, honoring all who contributed to the 53rd Season.

Hosted by Heather Ostberg Johnson and Bryn Frisina, this year’s picnic opened with artist intentions and celebrated a financially successful 2025–2026 season. Marketing and Operations Manager, Sarah J Baker, shared the exciting news that all four shows achieved net positive earnings and exceeded ticket sales goals, marking a standout year for the company.

An exciting new volunteer Company Management Team was elected for this upcoming season. OpenStage is so excited to start it’s 54th season! For a recap on the Company Picnic and the OPUS Nominees and Winners, read below. 

OpenStage’s 2026-2027 Company Management Team:

Anna Epstein, Company Manager
Tom Cudmore, Company Volunteer & Communications Coordinator
Kate Austin-Gröen, Company Representative to the Board

 

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

Founder’s Award: Jacob Offen
Shela Jennings Award: Kate Austin-Gröen

Outstanding Technical Support for the Season:

  • Ivan Andrade
  • Jen Bray
  • Carla Brookman
  • Tonya Dunn
  • Anna Epstein
  • Ridlex Epstein
  • Andrew Frisina
  • Amanda Fyock
  • Stephen Gillespie 
  • Kimber Hoven
  • Aaron Hughes
  • Molly McGuire
  • David Miller
  • Christina Marie Olson
  • Robin Rader
  • Azran Starkweather
  • Victoria Villalobos

Outstanding Makeup Design:

  • Victoria Villalobos – Misery
  • Tyler Zuschneid – The Mousetrap
  • Tyler Zuschneid – The Cottage

Outstanding Hair/Wig Design:

  • Rebecca Stafford – Misery
  • Kristen Horvorka – The Mousetrap
  • Shannon Light – The Cottage

Outstanding Properties Design and Set Dressing:

  • Carla Brookman – Misery
  • Brenna Freestone-Gilver – The Mousetrap
  • Libby Shelstad – The Merry Wives of Windsor

Outstanding Sound Design:

  • Victoria Villalobos – Misery
  • Joshua Moore – The Mousetrap
  • Victoria Villalobos – The Cottage

Outstanding Lighting Design:

  • MacKenzie Lowe – Misery
  • MacKenzie Lowe – The Mousetrap
  • MacKenzie Lowe – The Cottage

Outstanding Costume Design:

  • Kai Armstrong – The Mousetrap
  • Jasper Day –The Cottage
  • Rebecca Evans – The Merry Wives of Windsor

Outstanding Scenic Design:

  • Ivan Andrade – Misery
  • Ivan Andrade – The Mousetrap
  • Jim Brookman – The Cottage

Outstanding Performers in a Supporting Role:

  • Bryn Frisina as Miss Caswell – The Mousetrap
  • Molly McGuire as Marjorie Van Kipness – The Cottage
  • James Burns as Clarke Van Kipness – The Cottage
  • Hugh Butterfield as Christopher Wren – The Mousetrap 
  • Bas Meindertsma as Mr. Paravacini – The Mousetrap
  • Rebecca Pollyea as Mistress Quickly – The Merry Wives of Windsor

Outstanding Performers in a Leading Role:

  • Jessica Crow and Annie Wilkes – Misery
  • Timothy Ackerman as Paul Sheldon – Misery
  • Jacob Offen as Beau Van Kipness in The Cottage
  • David Austin-Groen as Master Ford – The Merry Wives of Windsor
  • Bradley Callahan as Sgt. Trotter – The Mousetrap
  • Ryan Flemining as Sir John Falstaff – The Merry Wives of Windsor
  • Staci York as Mrs. Ford – The Merry Wives of Windsor

Outstanding Ensemble:

  • The Mousetrap
  • The Cottage
  • The Merry Wives of Windsor

Outstanding Director:

  • Jacob Offen – Misery (tied)
  • Heather Ostberg Jones – The Mousetrap
  • Jessica Jackson – The Cottage
  • Kate Austin-Groen – The Merry Wives of Windsor (tied)

Outstanding Production:

  • Misery
  • The Mousetrap
  • The Cottage
  • The Merry Wives of Windsor

Director’s Awards:

Misery: Ivan Andrade & Tonya Dunn

The Mousetrap: Jacob Offen

The Cottage: Carla and Jim Brookman

The Merry Wives of Windsor: Jen Bray

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Grant Support
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