William Anthony Sebastian Rose II and Patrick Newson Jr. in Refracted Theatre Company’s production of “Tambo & Bones.” On Monday night both actors received Non-Equity Jeff Awards for their performances in the play.
Andy Goodwin
Refracted Theatre Company’s production of “Tambo & Bones” was the big winner at Monday night’s Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony at the Park West.
“Tambo & Bones” received eight awards overall at the gala, which marked the 50th anniversary honoring excellence in Chicago’s Non-Equity theater community. The play received honors for best production of a play, best director (Mikael Burke), best principal performers (Patrick Newson Jr. and William Anthony Sebastian Rose II) , best lighting design (Eric Watkins), best projection design (Eme Ospina-López), best sound design (Ethan Korvne), and best original music in a play (Ethan Korvne).
Kokandy Productions received six awards for musical productions including four for “American Psycho” including best production of a musical, best director (Derek Van Barham), best principal performer in a musical (Kyle Patrick) and best choreography (Breon Arzell); and two for “The SpongeBob Musical” including best supporting performer (Parker Guidry) and best artistic specialization for foley design (Ele Matelan). Rory Schrobilgen from Blank Theatre Company’s production of “Promises, Promises” was also honored for best principal performer in a musical.
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre was honored with three awards for its production of “Assassins” including best ensemble-musical, best performer in a supporting role (Jon Parker Jackson) and best musical direction (Heidi Joosten).
Shawna Franks was awarded best performer in a supporting role in a play for “Right Now” at Facility Theatre, as was Sarah Wsiterman for “Indoor Cats” at Red Theater.
This year’s Non-Equity Awards nominations recognized 144 theater artists across 24 categories and 32 companies.
Here is the full list of awards presented Monday night:
2024 Non-Equity Jeff Awards Recipients:
PRODUCTION – PLAY
“Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
PRODUCTION – MUSICAL
“American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions
DIRECTOR – PLAY
Mikael Burke – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
DIRECTOR – MUSICAL
Derek Van Barham – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions
NEW WORK
Mora V. Harris – “Indoor Cats” – Red TheaterJohn Hildreth – “Cat’s Cradle” – Lifeline TheatreShannon O’Neill – “The Kelly Girls” – The Factory Theater
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Patrick Newson Jr. (Bones) – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre CompanyWilliam Anthony Sebastian Rose II (Tambo) – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Kyle Patrick (Patrick Bateman) – “American Psycho” – Kokandy ProductionsRory Schrobilgen (Chuck Baxter) – “Promises, Promises” – Blank Theatre Company
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Shawna Franks (Juliette) – “Right Now” – Facility TheatreSarah Wisterman (Panda) – “Indoor Cats” – Red Theater
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Parker Guidry (Sheldon J. Plankton) – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy ProductionsJon Parker Jackson (Samuel Byck) – “Assassins” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
ENSEMBLE – PLAY
“Right Now” – Facility Theatre
ENSEMBLE – MUSICAL
“Assassins” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
PRODUCTION – SHORT RUN
“That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” – Visión Latino Theatre Company
ENSEMBLE – SHORT RUN
“Once on This Island” – PULSE Theatre Company
DIRECTOR – SHORT RUN
Xavier M. Custodio – “That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” – Visión Latino Theatre Company
PERFORMER – SHORT RUN
Jack Hradecky (Mr. Peel) – “The Minutes” – Edge of the Wood TheatreKris Tori (Alfonsina Storni) – “North & Sur” – Water People Theater
SCENIC DESIGN
Kevin Hagan – “Dying For It” – The Artistic Home
COSTUME DESIGN
Beth Laske-Miller & Rachel Sypniewski – “I Promised Myself to Live Faster” – Hell in a Handbag Productions
SOUND DESIGN
Ethan Korvne – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
LIGHTING DESIGN
Eric Watkins – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
PROJECTION DESIGN
Eme Ospina-López – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
CHOREOGRAPHY
Breon Arzell – “American Psycho” – Kokandy Productions
MUSIC DIRECTION
Heidi Joosten – “Assassins” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY
Ethan Korvne – “Tambo & Bones” – Refracted Theatre Company
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
Ele Matelan (Foley Design) – “The SpongeBob Musical” – Kokandy Productions