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! 

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Central Region – June 21, 2026

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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

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

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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

 

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

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Spirit of Community Theatre Winner: 

Justin Selden

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Michael Schaucherbauer Memorial Scholarship Winner:

Rachel Marzullo

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Grant Recipient: 

Northeast Region

 

Southwest Regional – June 12 -13, 2026

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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

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Spirit of Community Theatre winners: 

Jim Racster

Mary Stone

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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

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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​