09/02/2026
Matthews Playhouse is honored and excited to be included with 20 nominations by Metrolina Theatre Association for its 16th annual awards gala. Thank you to everyone on and off stage who make this possible, and congratulations to all the nominees!
AND THE NOMINEES FOR THE 16TH MTA AWARDS ARE........
Outstanding Musical Category
Outstanding Musical Production
Evita - Davidson Community Players
Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Heathers the Musical - Just Two Guys Productions
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime Theatre Company
Oliver! - Rock Hill Theatre
Rent - Lee Street Theatre
The Prince of Egypt, the Musical - Matthews Playhouse
Outstanding Lead Actor-Male
Robert Allen as Frank-N-Furter - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Matt Carlson as Roger Davis - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Kris Deviney as JD - Heathers - Just Two Guys Productions
John DiMicco as Fagin - Oliver - Rock Hill Theatre
Neifert Enrique as Che - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Neifert Enrique as Moses - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Nate Wheaton as Joseph - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime Theatre Company
Outstanding Lead Actor-Female
Lark Bodnar as Veronica - Heathers - Just Two Guys Productions
Logan Cosper as Tracy Turnblad - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Carly Hart as Cady - Mean Girls - Showtime Theatre Company
Kenara Hartwell as Fiona - Shrek the Musical - CPCC Theatre
Melissa Lozada as Eva - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Leslie Roberts as Miriam - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Jordan Smith as Nancy - Oliver - Rock Hill Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor-Male
Noah Bolton as Brit - We Will Rock You - Cherryville Little Theatre
Tristan Nogueira as Magaldi - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Jack Richardson as Ali Hakim - Oklahoma - Piedmont Players Theatre
Kaeleb Stilwell as Riff-Raff - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Ron Turner Diaz as Perón - Evita - Davidson Community Players
AJ White as Angel Dumott-Schunard - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Rahman Williams as Tom Collins - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor - Female
Kristina Blake as Widow Corney - Oliver - Rock Hill Theatre
Lily Bodnar as Heather Chandler - Heathers - Just Two Guys Productions
Corinn Bordelon as Penny Pingleton - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Nikki Dunn as Joanne Jefferson - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Lindsey Litka-Montes as Maureen Johnson - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Lindsey Litka-Montes as Usherette/Magenta - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Lindsey Litka-Montes as Mistress - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Reem Nour as Ado Annie - Oklahoma - Piedmont Players Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Sidney Horton - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Taryn Hoyt - Oliver - Rock Hill Theatre
Steve Kaliski - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Tod A. Kubo - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Rod Oden - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Hilary Powell - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Jennifer Read - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime Theatre Company
Outstanding Set Design
Annie Agresta - Junk - The Green Room Community Theatre
Chip Decker - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Chris Morgan - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Hilary Powell - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Robert Read & Jan Porter - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime Theatre Company
Eric Seale - Into the Woods - Hickory Community Theatre
Paul Swanson - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Outstanding Costume Design
Robert T. Croghan - Shrek the Musical - CPCC Theatre
Sarah Deutsch - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Sarah Deutsch - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Sarah Deutsch - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Ethan Fite - Side Show - Out There Theatre Co.
Beth Killion - Oklahoma - Piedmont Players Theatre
Jennifer Read, Amy Wurthman, Linda Schalberg, Jan Porter - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat -
Showtime Theatre Company
Chelsea Retalic and Beth Killion - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Outstanding Lighting Design
DJ Cook - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Pete DeGregory - We Will Rock You - Cherryville Little Theatre
Kaylin Gess - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Juan Leon - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Robert Read, Calista Dillinger, Lauren Gozur - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime
Theatre Company
Rod Oden - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
JP Woodey - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Outstanding Sound Design
Ryan Certo - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime Theatre Company
Neifert Enrique - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Neifert Enrique and John Nipe - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Jon Kadela and Lohmar Wolf - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Evan Kinsley - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Matty Montes - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
John Nipe - Oliver - Rock Hill Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction/Conducting
Nick Culp - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Dr. Corey Gaston - Rent - Lee Street Theatre
Jeremy Mims - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime Theatre Company
John Nipe - Oliver - Rock Hill Theatre
John Nipe - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Matthew Primm - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Ellen Robison - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Outstanding Choreography
Sharlie Duncan - The Rocky Horror Show - Post Mortem Players
Tod A. Kubo - Evita - Davidson Community Players
Tod A. Kubo - Oklahoma - Piedmont Players Theatre
Tod A. Kubo - Prince of Egypt - Matthews Playhouse
Rachel Peterson - Hairspray - Matthews Playhouse
Jennifer Read & Jennifer Tucker - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Showtime Theatre Company
Jennifer Read, Jennifer Tucker and Jordyn Read - Mean Girls - Showtime Theatre Company
Outstanding Play Category
Outstanding Production
Boeing Boeing - Union County Playmakers
The Boys in the Band - Out There Theatre Co.
Deathtrap - Rock Hill Theatre
King Hedley II - BNS Productions
A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
A Streetcar Named Desire - Old Courthouse Theatre
The Winter's Tale - Davidson Community Players and Shepherd Shakespeare Company
Outstanding Lead Actor-Male
Jonathan Caldwell as King - King Hedley II - BNS Productions
Tyler Campbell as Barnard - Boeing Boeing - Union County Playmakers
Brandon Dawson as Leontes - The Winter's Tale - Davidson Community Players and Shepherd Shakespeare Company
Chris Honsaker as Harry - Hangmen - Hickory Community Theatre
Mason Livers as Walter Lee Younger - A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
Dalton Riddle as Sidney Bruhl - Deathtrap - Rock Hill Theatre
William Williamson as Michael - The Boys in the Band - Out There Theatre Co.
Outstanding Lead Actor-Female
Tameka Brown as Ruth Younger - A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
Patty Hepler as Wanda Yates - Mississippi Queens - Theatre Statesville
Julia Howard as Blanche DuBois - A Streetcar Named Desire - Old Courthouse Theatre
Myneesha King as Ruby - King Hedley II - BNS Productions
Janine Klein as Omaha Nebraska Madison - Second Samuel - Ansonia Theatre
Raven Monroe as Esther - Intimate Apparel - Piedmont Players Theatre
Shawna Pledger as Sofie - Wink - Charlotte Conservatory Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor-Male
Tim Bradley as Elmore - King Hedley II - BNS Productions
Bradshaw Call as Harold - The Boys in the Band - Out There Theatre Co.
Mike Hahalyak as Pato Dooley - The Beauty Queen of Leenane - Waxhaw Community Theatre Company
Nathan Morris as Clarke - The Cottage - Fort Mill Community Playhouse
Tone X as Stool Pigeon - King Hedley II - BNS Productions
Rahman Williams as Constantine Bouc - Murder on the Orient Express - Union County Playmakers
Aaron Zimmerman as Mr Marks - Intimate Apparel - Piedmont Players Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor-Female
Nikki Dunn as Beneatha Younger - A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
Amy Hope as Mrs. Van Buren - Intimate Apparel - Piedmont Players Theatre
Jamie Hutteman as Mrs. Hubbard - Murder on the Orient Express - Union County Playmakers
Iesha Nyree as Emilia/Old Shepherd - The Winter's Tale - Davidson Community Players and Shepherd Shakespeare Company
Alyssa Linnane as Dierdre - The Cottage - Fort Mill Community Playhouse
Lauren Newell as Mag Folan - The Beauty Queen of Leenane - Waxhaw Community Theatre Company
Lillie Oden as Lena "Mama" Younger - A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Marla Brown - Wink - Charlotte Conservatory Theatre
Desiree Dabney - A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
James Duke - Puffs - CPCC Theatre
Ethan Fite - The Boys in the Band - Out There Theatre Co.
Johnny Hohenstein - Deathtrap - Rock Hill Theatre
Stuart Jonap - A Streetcar Named Desire - Old Courthouse Theatre
Erica Owens - The Cottage - Fort Mill Community Playhouse
Mikaela Perry - Boeing Boeing - Union County Playmakers
Chester Shepherd - The Winter's Tale - Davidson Community Players and Shepherd Shakespeare Company
Rory D Sheriff - King Hedley II - BNS Productions
Tommy Wooten - Second Samuel - Ansonia Theatre
Outstanding Set Design
Ruth Ann Harris - Second Samuel - Ansonia Theatre
Rachael and Matt Morris - Boys in the Band - Out There Theatre Co.
Jennifer O'Kelly - Intimate Apparel - Piedmont Players Theatre
Jennifer O'Kelly - X - Post Mortem Players
Rod Oden - A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
Alex Peña - Deathtrap - Rock Hill Theatre
Eric Seale - Hangmen - Hickory Community Theatre
Roger Watson - Streetcar Named Desire - Old Courthouse Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Kim Baysinger - A Streetcar Named Desire - Old Courthouse Theatre
Robert T. Croghan - Puffs - CPCC Theatre
Ethan Fite - The Boys in the Band - Out There Theatre Co.
Beth Killion - Intimate Apparel - Piedmont Players Theatre
Katy Shepherd - The Winter's Tale - Davidson Community Players and Shepherd Shakespeare Company
Tina Taylor - Boeing Boeing - Union County Playmakers
Tina Taylor - Murder on the Orient Express - Union County Playmakers
Outstanding Lighting Design
Jeff Childs - Puffs - CPCC Theatre
Rick Diak - The Cottage - Fort Mill Community Playhouse
David Filmore - Wink - Charlotte Conservatory Theatre
Madison King - King Hedley II - BNS Productions
Juan Leon - A Streetcar Named Desire - Old Courthouse Theatre
Juan Leon - X - Post Mortem Players
Jackson Rains - Deathtrap - Rock Hill Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design
Logan Carter - X - Post Mortem Players
Alyssa Cook - Deathtrap - Rock Hill Theatre
Desiree Dabney and Rod Oden - A Raisin in the Sun - Lee Street Theatre
Rick Diak - The Cottage - Fort Mill Community Playhouse
James Duke & Montavious Blocker - Puffs - CPCC Theatre
Ethan Fite and Emma Seibert - The Boys in the Band - Out There Theatre Co.
Carri Hilson - Boeing Boeing - Union County Playmakers
Jeff Montgomerie - Wink - Charlotte Conservatory Theatre
Andy Rassler - A Streetcar Named Desire - Old Courthouse Theatre
Eric Seale - Hangmen - Hickory Community Theatre
Theatre Company of the Year
BNS Productions
Davidson Community Players
Matthews Playhouse
Old Courthouse Theatre
Post Mortem Players
Rock Hill Theatre
Showtime Theatre Company
Theatre Statesville
Three Bone Theatre
Emerging Artist of the Year
Robert Bevilacqua
Tyler Campbell
Marianna Corrales
Matt Crowder
Sarah Deutsch
Cindy Heafner
Julia Howard
Kaleigh Laibson
Jake McGraw
Elijah Miller
Andrew Monroe
Emily Stanton
Aaron Zimmerman
William Rackley Award for Technical Excellence
Kaylene Bryan
Sarah Deutsch
Jennifer Hamilton
Kathryn Harding
Megan Hirschy
Dalton Isaac
Jon Kadela
Juan Leon
Bella Parrish
Mary Beth Schwallie
Sarah Tysinger
Amy Wurthmann
Theatre Person of the Year
Kaylene Bryan
Gay Clyburn
Steve Kaliski
Anna Montgomerie
John Nipe
Jackie Obando Carter
Cheryl Opel
Robert Read
Kelly Sandoval
Rory D. Sheriff
Rebecca White
Elyse Williams
THE SIXTEENTH ANNUAL MTA AWARDS GALA
Sunday, October 18 2026
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The Booth Playhouse, Charlotte NC
130 North Tryon Street , Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
We are thrilled to announce that tickets will go on sale for the public September 7th for the 2026 Metrolina Theatre Association Gala with the Blumenthal at this link (https://tix.blumenthalarts.org/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=75FDEE57-1F44-41F5-B662-431BD48F5139) or call 704 372 1000.
Ticketing price:
$40- Nominees (see below on how to obtain this rate)
$60 - General Public
This annual gathering represents a wonderful chance for artists and patrons from all over the region to gather, socialize and celebrate some of the terrific shows produced for the 2025/2026 season.
The evening will feature the MTA Awards, which recognize outstanding work from performers, technical crew, and others who have made this such a powerful time for performing arts in the Metrolina area. Attendees will also get to enjoy live performances of several musical numbers from shows produced by member companies this past season. This year's event will be hosted on October 18 at the Booth Playhouse in Uptown Charlotte. We could not be more excited for our first time at this venue.
The pre-show reception starts at 6:00 PM, doors open at 7:00 PM and the show starts at 7:30 PM. Hors d'oeuvres will be available until the show starts or until they run out. There are also plenty of local restaurants nearby for pre-show or post-show dining. Our fabulous attendees will have the opportunity to have a professional photographer take their pics during the evening and also at the MTA backdrop. The ceremony itself will run from 7:30 to 9:30.
See below for a few additional notes about this year's event, and how it will differ from previous Galas:
1) Admission to the event includes access to the reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres before the event. A cash bar will be available. Additionally, uptown Charlotte includes numerous restaurant options where attendees can grab a bite before the ceremony or after.
2) General Public tickets are $60 each this year, and includes a choice of available seats.
3) For individual nominees, tickets are $40.00. The $40.00 ticket is for the nominee only and does not include a guest. Note: In order to obtain the $40.00 ticket, you will need to email [email protected] for the details of this special rate. Persons with multiple nominations still only get one ticket at the $40.00 price. Nominated persons are allowed to purchase one additional guest ticket at the regular price ($60.00), so they may have their special someone sit with them. You will need to email at [email protected] by October 11 in order to get this rate.
4) Parking passes are valid at the Bank of America Corporate parking garage. Discounted parking will be available with a ticket for the Bank of America Corporate parking garage. Attendees must bring their parking ticket to the theatre to receive the discount, and there should be an attendant at the Booth Playhouse who will provide the discounted validation.
You may be asking, "How did some categories have more nominations than others?" Well, this year, we had a total of 44 productions that were adjudicated. 44! 23 in the musical category and 21 in the play category. Also with the 2025/2026 season, we had 25 companies involved with the award process (companies can submit up to two of their productions for adjudication. some companies only submitted one production). Because there is no distinction in regions as it was done originally so many years ago, and the immense number of productions being adjudicated, we opened the ballot to the top 7. With that, there were more ties involving the the 7th slot, which created a possible few more nominations in some of the categories.
We hope everyone comes out to join us in celebrating local theatre and the incredible people who make it happen!
Need to renew your MTA membership or thinking about joining MTA? Go to our website for more information.
We cannot wait to see you all Sunday, October 18!!
