2025 Helen Hayes Award Nominations Honor the Best of Theatre in DC
Feb 11, 2025
Theatre Washington has announced the nominations for the 41st Helen Hayes Awards, recognizing the best theatre in DC for the 2024 season. With 165 productions considered across 41 categories, this year's nominations highlight the diversity and strength of plays in DC and its surrounding region. The awards will be presented on May 19 at The Anthem, bringing together artists, producers, and theater lovers to celebrate the thriving performing arts scene.
Top Contenders and Leading Theaters
Among the most nominated productions, 1st Stage's The Nance leads with 11 nominations, followed closely by Signature Theatre's Private Jones with 10 and Arena Stage's Jaja's African Hair Braiding with nine. Signature Theatre topped the list with 25 nominations, edging out the Kennedy Center, which received 24 nods.Signature's nominations include seven for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and recognition for Private Jones, an innovative new musical that tells the story of a deaf sniper during World War I using a mix of American Sign Language, British Sign Language, spoken English, and Foley sound effects. The Kennedy Center's Broadway Center Stage productions also performed well, with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee earning seven nominations, while Bye Bye Birdie and Nine each garnered six.
Spotlight on Standout Performances
The awards, which distinguish between "Helen" (non-Equity productions) and "Hayes" (Equity productions), have recognized an array of outstanding performances across multiple categories.Notably, Ralph Fiennes is nominated for Outstanding Performer in a Play (Hayes) for his role in Shakespeare Theatre Company's immersive Macbeth, which was staged in a repurposed television studio in Brentwood. His co-star Indira Varma is also up for the same honor.
In the musical categories, Spelling Bee's ensemble made a strong showing, with Beanie Feldstein, Bonnie Milligan, Kevin McHale, and Nina White all nominated for Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical. Steven Pasquale (Nine), Krysta Rodriguez (Bye Bye Birdie), and Brandon Uranowitz (Tick, Tick... Boom!) are among the nominees for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical.
Honoring Theatre DC's Impact
Beyond the competitive categories, this year's Helen Hayes Tribute will go to Robert Hooks, a D.C. native and a trailblazer in Black theater. Hooks co-founded the Negro Ensemble Company, the Group Theatre Workshop, and the DC Black Repertory Company. His lifetime contributions to theater place him among past honorees like August Wilson, Angela Lansbury, Stephen Sondheim, and James Earl Jones.Additionally, Gregg Henry, a longtime curator and artistic associate at the Kennedy Center, has been awarded the Victor Shargai Leadership Award for his contributions to the region's performing arts scene.
A Strong Year for Plays in DC
The competition for Outstanding Production of a Play (Hayes) includes:- Macbeth - Shakespeare Theatre Company
- Avaaz - Olney Theatre Center
- Metamorphoses - Folger Theatre
- Prayer for the French Republic - Theater J
- Jaja's African Hair Braiding - Arena Stage
- The Nance - 1st Stage
- Noises Off - The Keegan Theatre
- Sunset Baby - Anacostia Playhouse
- Hamlet... the rest is silence - Synetic Theater
- The Pliant Girls - Nu Sass Productions & Theatre Prometheus
Looking Ahead to the Ceremony
The Helen Hayes Awards continue to highlight the exceptional work happening on DC's stages. With major institutions like Signature Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, and Shakespeare Theatre Company dominating the nominations, and smaller companies making their mark, the event is set to be a true reflection of the depth and variety of shows in DC.Winners will be announced at the ceremony on May 19 at The Anthem, a night sure to celebrate the best that theatre DC has to offer.