Ohio Community Theatre Association
2026 OCTA REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS
The 2026 OCTAFest season has begun! Here is the list of all the winners from each of our regional festivals. Congratulations to all who participated in a wonderful weekend of theater and fellowship!
East/Southeast Region – July 11, 2026
What Were The Chances! ~ Wayne County Performing Arts **INVITEE**
Richard Figge – Excellence in Acting as Joseph Evens
Kristin Kranz & Pamela Morris – Merit in Acting Ensemble as Ella and Cheryl
Lizbeth Mang – Merit in Original Work
Misery ~ Footlight Players **ALTERNATE**
Jacob Eick – Merit in Lighting
Jamie Hostetler – Merit in Sound
Ellen Hardesty & Jackie McCune – Merit in Fight Choreography
David Wickham – Merit in Acting as Buster
Nick Fischer & Amenda Gress – Merit in Acting Ensemble as Annie and Paul
Spirit of Community Theatre winners:
Seth and Chelsea Rhodes
Fred Wise Memorial Scholarship Winner:
Allegra McMillan
West Region – July 11, 2026
26 Pebbles ~ Troy Civic Theater **INVITEE**
The Cast of 26 Pebbles – Outstanding in Ensemble
Michael J. Schumacher – Outstanding in Direction
Abby Kinnebrew Smith & Cast – Excellence in Effective Use of Costumes
Derek Dunavent & Cody Peterson – Merit in Special Effects
Steve Dietrich & Michael J. Schumacher – Excellence in Set Design
Now And Then ~ Amil Tellers of Dramatics Inc. / Encore Theatre **ALTERNATE**
Missy Keller – Excellence in Direction
Kim Lane – Outstanding in Acting as Woman
The Cast of Now and Then – Excellence in Ensemble
Missy Keller – Excellence in Set Design
A Midsummer Night's Dream ~ Springfield Civic Theatre
Becky Malas – Excellence in Acting as Helena
David Laws – Merit in Acting as Lysander
Jesse Edwards – Merit in Acting as Demetrius
Racheal Tingley – Merit in Acting as Hermia
Addy Stelzer – Merit in Characterization as Puck
Nathaniel Beard – Merit in Set Design
Nathaniel Beard – Merit in Costumes
Spirit of Community Theatre winners:
Missy Keller
Michelle Peterson
Northwest Region – June 27, 2026
Love, Loss, and What I Wore ~ Waterville Playshop
The Cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore – Excellence in Ensemble
Mitch Antesky – Excellence in Special Art
Joe Barton – Merit in Set Design
Joe Barton – Merit in Directing
When the World Was Green, A Chef's Fable ~ Actors Collaborative Toledo **ALTERNATE**
Jeffrey J. Albright – Outstanding in Acting as Old Man
Rin Moran – Excellence in Acting as Interviewer
Joe Capucini – Merit in Directing
Bonnie & Clyde ~ Van Wert Civic Theatre **INVITEE**
Jerry Zimmerman – Outstanding in Directing
Amy Boley & Jerry Zimmerman – Excellence in Set Design
Kristin Lee – Excellence in Choreography
Terri Spencer – Excellence in Musical Direction
The Cast of Bonnie & Clyde – Outstanding in Ensemble
Taylor Hesseling – Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance as Preacher
Hannah Davis – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Blanche Barrow
Ashton Szabados – Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance as Clyde Barrow
Cheyenne Weber – Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance as Bonnie Parker
Nick Long – Excellence in Acting as Buck Barrow
Douglas Long Jr. -Merit in Acting as Ted Hinton
Cheyenne Weber & Hanna Davis – Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance Duet as Blanche & Bonnie
Spirit of Community Theatre winner:
Mitchell Antesky
Grant Recipients:
Toledo Repertoire Theatre
Waterville Playshop
Central Region – June 21, 2026
Buyer and Cellar ~ Little Theatre Off Broadway **INVITEE**
William Ray-Macke – Outstanding in Acting as Alex More
Rosemary Cullison – Outstanding in Directing
Rosemary Cullison – Excellence in Sound Design
William Ray-Macke – Merit in Costumes
Rosemary Cullison – Merit in Artwork
The Revolutionists ~ Curtain Players
Tiarra Dapo – Outstanding in Acting as Marianne
Jamie Clemons – Excellence in Acting as Marie
Adrianna Quinone – Merit in Acting as Charlotte
Lynne Rouzer – Merit in Acting as Olympe De Gouges
Tasha Naneth – Excellence in Costumes
The Cast of The Revolutionists – Merit in Ensemble
Moon Over Buffalo ~ Licking County Players
Jeff Dolan – Merit in Acting as George Hay
Thom Ogilvie – Merit in Acting as Paul Singer
Heather Schultz – Merit in Directing
A Few Good Men ~ Knox Memorial Theatre **ALTERNATE**
Megan Evans / Ian Fraser Ernsberger / Mike Andrews – Excellence in Defense Ensemble
The Cast of Few Good Men – Merit in Ensemble
Megan Evans – Excellence in Set Design
Megan Evans – Outstanding in Costumes
Ian Fraser Ernsberger – Excellence in Directing
Nigel Salvador – Excellence in Acting as Capt. Markinson
Aaron Moreland – Merit in Acting as Col. Jessup
David Heithaus – Merit in Acting as Lt. Kendrick
Knox Memorial Theatre – Merit Set Orchestration
Spirit of Community Theatre winner:
Thom Ogilvie
Northeast Regional – June 20, 2026
Over The River and Through The Woods ~ Silver Lining Players **INVITEE**
Tim Champion – Merit in Acting as Nunzio
Tom Stephan – Excellence in Acting as Frank
Christian Achkar – Merit in Acting as Nick
Silver Lining Players – Merit in Costumes
The Cast of Over the River and Through the Woods – Merit in Ensemble
Louder Than Words: A New Musical ~ Starcatcher Theatricals
Starcatcher Theatricals – Merit in Costumes
Kyan Vano – Merit in Acting in Jamie
Christian Andrews / Hannah Stephens / Noah Ryan Lewis / Emily Dezort / Hope Kennedy – Merit in Original Work
Hannah Stephens & Katherine Leland – Merit in Duo Performance of Violet & Stella
Four Old Broads on the High Seas ~ Stow Players
The Cast – Excellence in Costumes
Theresa Benyo-Marzullo – Merit in Acting as Eaddy Mae Clayton
Patrick Ryel – Merit in Acting as Miss Tequila Mockingbird
Floyd Juszli – Merit in Set Design
William Morgan – Merit in Lighting Design
It Takes a Village- A Night of One Acts ~ Gates Mills Players **ALTERNATE**
The Cast of It Takes a Village – Merit in Ensemble for the Village Repairman
Sean Seaber – Merit in Sound Design
Stephanie Rogoff / Lucy Lytle / Lesley Geldart – Merit in Original Work
Lisa Freebairn – Merit in Acting as Patient
Storm Warning ~ Trumbull New Theatre **INVITEE**
Brett Bunker – Merit in Acting as Jack Forrester
Molly Cravalho – Merit in Acting as Emma Currie
Jessie Bryner – Merit in Directing
Brett Bunker – Excellence as Set Design
The Cast of Storm Warning – Merit in Ensemble
Spirit of Community Theatre Winner:
Justin Selden
Michael Schaucherbauer Memorial Scholarship Winner:
Rachel Marzullo
Grant Recipient:
Northeast Region
Southwest Regional – June 12 -13, 2026
Murder in the Studio's Personal Call ~ Rivertown Players
Penny Britton – Merit in Foley Artist
Della Fischer – Merit in Voice Acting
Calendar Girls ~ The Drama Workshop **INVITEE**
Michael Kiser – Excellence in Directing
Elaine Volker – Excellence in Props
Ray Persing – Outstanding in Set Design
Becky Cole – Merit in Acting as Ruth
Karen Romero – Merit in Acting as Jessie
The Cast of Calendar Girls – Excellence in Ensemble
The Cottage ~ Sunset Players
Ann Andriacco & Dennis Murphy – Merit in Costumes
Dennis Murphy – Merit in Set Design
Deb Case & Victoria Covarrubias – Merit in Props
Devin Knott – Merit in Acting as Clarke
The Cast of The Cottage – Merit in Ensemble
The Lost Virginity Tour ~ Tri-County Players
Peggy Allen – Merit in Acting as Viola
Zanna Don't! ~ Loveland Stage Company **INVITEE**
Nate Huitger – Outstanding in Costumes
George Drewyor – Excellence in Musical Direction
Sheccid Donatt / Nick Huitger / Mike Yarick / Kiya Fix – Excellence in Props & Set Design
Mike Yarick – Excellence in Choreography
Nick Huitger – Excellence in Direction
Ian Meeker – Outstanding in Musical Theatre Performance as Mike
Justin Hanks – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Steve
Sienna Glaze – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Roberta
Justin Hanks / Mary Mills / Ian Meeker / Sienna Glaze – Excellence in “Don’t You Wish We Could Be in Love” Quartet
Love, Loss, & What I Wore ~ The Village Players of Fort Thomas
Kathryn Muck – Excellence in Acting
Christine Gallagher – Merit in Acting
The Cast of Love, Loss, & What I Wore – Excellence in Ensemble
The Addams Family ~ Footlighters, Inc. **INVITEE**
Aubrey E. Wilson – Excellence in Lighting Design
Mike Fielder – Excellence in Choreography
Alan Masters – Excellence in Music Direction
Aubrey E. Wilson – Excellence in Direction
Corey Meyer – Excellence in Sound Design
The Cast of The Addams Family – Outstanding in Ensemble
Val Allen – Outstanding in Musical Theatre Performance as Wednesday
Evan Blanton – Outstanding in Musical Theatre Performance as Fester
Jamie Sivrais – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Gomez
All Things Considered: A Historical Farce ~ Beechmont Players
The Cast of All Things Considered – Merit in Ensemble
Scotland Road ~ Mariemont Players **ALTERNATE**
jef brown – Merit in Direction
Stephanie Garvey – Merit in Costumes
Adam Johns – Merit in Sound Design
Madelynn Meredith – Excellence in Acting as The Woman
Kathie Labanz – Outstanding in Acting as Frances Kittle
Ryan Bowron – Merit in Acting as John
Transorbital ~ The Centerstage Players
Parker Culp – Merit in Acting as The Kid
Gillian Miller – Merit in Acting as Irina
Spirit of Community Theatre winners:
Jim Racster
Mary Stone
North Regional – May 30, 2026
Out of Sight....Out of Murder ~ The Ritz Players
Kristie Drown – Excellence in Acting as Lydia
Laura Warren – Excellence in Acting as Fiona
Jeff Stockner – Merit in Acting as Jordan
Tyre’k Hyde – Merit in Acting as Cogburn
Jim Cook – Outstanding in Set Design
Joan Ledwedge – Merit in Costumes
Dylan Reid – Merit in Sound
Clue ~ Fremont Community Theatre **STATE INVITEE**
Aaron Brown – Merit in Acting as Mr. Green
Zoe Holland – Merit in Acting as Yvette
Brandon Wurgess – Merit in Acting as Mrs. White
Samuel Hohman – Excellence in Acting as Wadsworth
Kaje Holthouse – Outstanding in Direction / Choreography
Jim Gruss – Excellence in Lighting
Kaja Holthouse & Delilah Foos Lessing – Outstanding in Set Design
The Cast of Clue – Outstanding in Ensemble
Joyce Purk / Kaje Holthouse / Sue Stotz / Kristen Lindsay – Outstanding in Costumes
The Crew of Jordan Holthouse / Ellie Holthouse / Amelia Purl / Cyrus Foos / Claudia Reidy – Excellence in Set Orchestration
Bright Star ~ Bellevue Society for the Arts
Stephanie Riegel – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Alice
Mark Crumrine – Merit in Acting as Daddy Cane
Brad Rowe – Merit in Acting as Daddy Murphy
Jacob Studebaker-Ellis & Stephanie Riegel – Merit in Duet Vocal Performance as Jimmy Ray & Alice
Nunsense ~ Harlequins Community Theatre **ALTERNATE**
Pamela Shirtz- Excellence in Choreography
The Cast of Nunsense – Outstanding in Vocal Ensemble
Julie Pratt – Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance as Sr. Hubert
Corinne Howery – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Sr. Amnesia
Heather Smith – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Reverend Mother
The Cast of Nunsense – Outstanding in Ensemble
Curtis Brown – Excellence in Set Design
Curtis Brown – Merit in Direction
Curtis Brown – Excellence in Musical Direction
North Region
North Region
East Region
North Region