Three non-Equity theater productions emerged triumphant at Monday night’s 52nd anniversary Non-Equity Jeff Awards: “Angels in America” and “The House That Will Not Stand” from Invictus Theatre, and “Jekyll & Hyde” by Kokandy Productions
“Angels in America” won for both best production of a play and ensemble of a play, and “Jekyll & Hyde” for best musical and ensemble of a musical.
They were among 36 winners who took part in 27 different productions by Chicago-area non-union theater companies from the last year, most staged in neighborhood theaters around the city. Kokandy’s production of the musical “Amélie” also had a successful night at the ceremony, held downtown at Chicago’s Harris Theater off Millennium Park.
A special Jeff was awarded to the longtime theater director and teacher Kathy Scambiatterra, director and co-founder of The Artistic Home, a producing theater and actors’ studio.
Non-Equity Jeff Award winners for 2026
PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
“Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
“Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY
“Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre
ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL
“Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
NEW WORK
Zach Barr – “The Pilon” – Red Theater
Omer Abbas Salem – “One Party Consent” – First Floor Theater
Chase Wheaton-Werle – “The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince” – Factory Theater
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Charles Askenaizer – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Derek Van Barham – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Terry Guest (Courtney / Anthony) – “At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen” – The Story Theatre
Ryan Hake (Prior Walter) – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
David Moreland (Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde) – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
Aurora Penepacker (Amélie Poulain) – “Amélie” – Kokandy Productions
SOLO PERFORMER
Cynthia Marker (Woman) – “Girls & Boys” – Griffin Theatre Company
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Michael D. Graham (Roy M. Cohn) – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre
Anne Trodden (Harper Amaty Pitt) – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Jacqueline Grandt (Queen / Barbara) – “Diana the Musical” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Ava Lane Stovall (Lucy Harris) – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
MUSIC DIRECTION
Nick Sula – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
SCENIC DESIGN
Kevin Rolfs – “The House That Will Not Stand” – Invictus Theatre
COSTUME DESIGN
Patty Halajian – “Diana the Musical” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
CHOREOGRAPHY
Brenda Didier – “Urinetown” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
SOUND DESIGN
Joe Griffin – “Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter” – City Lit Theater Company
LIGHTING DESIGN
G. Max Maxin IV – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
PROJECTION DESIGN
G. Max Maxin IV – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
David Blixt (fight choreography) – “Superior Donuts” – Artistic Home
Victoria Jablonski (wig design) – “The School for Scandal” – Idle Muse Theatre Company
Rachel Livingston (properties design) – “The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince” – Factory Theater
PRODUCTION OF A SHORT RUN
“Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.
DIRECTOR OF A SHORT RUN
Stefan Roseen – “Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.
NEW WORK – SHORT RUN
Dominick Alesia – “Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.
Greta Geiser – “The Pyg Hypothesis” – Theatre Above the Law
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – SHORT RUN
Andrew Kain Miller (Terrence) – “Mr. Parker” – Open Space Arts
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – SHORT RUN
Josh Odor (Senior) – “Gangsta Baby” – Open Space Arts
DESIGN OF A SHORT RUN
Toria Olivier (costume design) – “Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.
IMPRESARIO AWARD FOR STAGE MANAGEMENT
Kendyl Meyer – First Floor Theater and Kokandy Productions
SPECIAL NON-EQUITY AWARD
Kathy Scambiatterra
Nominations for Non-Equity Jeff Awards: Theo and Kokandy lead the list for 2026
