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2026 OCTA REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS
Here is the list of all the 2026 OCTAFest winners from each of our regional festivals. Congratulations to all who participated in a wonderful weekend of theater and fellowship!
OCTA Jr. – July 25, 2026
Guys & Dolls ~ Fremont Community Teen Theatre
The Cast of Guys & Dolls – Merit in Ensemble
Pyper Payton – Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance as Adelaide
Michael Caldwell – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson
Ellis Wylykanowitz & Pyper Payton – Merit in Musical Theatre Duet Performance as Sarah and Adelaide
Pyper Payton & Gabriel McCrory – Merit in Musical Theatre Duet Performance as Nathan and Adelaide
Kendall Gladieux – Merit in Musical Theatre Performance as Gen. Cartwright
Dracula, The Vampire Play ~ The Ritz Teen Thespian Guild **INVITEE**
Esme Hummel-Sass – Outstanding in Acting as Dracula
Coryanna Martin – Excellence in Acting as Professor Van Helsing
Remington Donna – Merit in Acting as Grimm
Silas Newland – Excellence in Acting in Renfield
Jeff Stockner – Excellence in Direction
Jim Cook – Excellence in Set Design
The Cast of Dracula, The Vampire Play – Excellence in Ensemble
8 Minutes Left ~Amil Tellers of Dramatics, Inc./Encore Theatre **Alternate**
Harley Salvage – Outstanding in Acting as the Observer
Logan Spencer – Merit in Acting as Ravi
Isaac Dye – Excellence in Acting as Cary
The Cast of 8 Minutes Left – Merit in Ensemble
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBELIST
Eve Knisely
ALL-STAR CAST
Pyper Payton
Michael Caldwell
Esme Hummel-Sass
Silas Newland
Logan Spencer
Hannah Blake
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
OCTA Jr.
North Region