Firehouse Theatre came away with a total of 10 awards, including 7 for “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”
This year marks the 18th year that the Richmond Theatre Community Circle (formerly the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle) has sponsored the Richmond Theatre Community Circle (RTCC) Awards, or “Artsies,” the community’s recognition of excellence in Richmond-area theater. The theme of this year’s event – “Places, Please!” – highlights the stage managers who run the whole show. Their hard work ensures everyone involved with the production is prepared, supported, and where they need to be when they need to be there. The event was held on October 25th at the Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre.
Not only are the Artsies the community’s recognition of outstanding Richmond-area theater, but they are the primary fundraising event for the Theatre Artist Fund of Greater Richmond (the Fund). The Fund provides emergency financial assistance to theater artists who have experienced an exceptional financial need related to a specific crisis beyond their control. Since its inception, the Fund has received $158,865 in gifts and has written grants totaling $53,633 for artists in need.
The Firehouse Theatre won an impressive ten awards, seven of which went to its production of “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” including the Ernie McClintock Best Ensemble Acting Award. The musical also won awards for Best Direction of a Musical, Best Musical Direction, Best Lead Performance in a Musical (one of two in this category), Best Choreography, Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design (Musical), and Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design (Musical). Firehouse Theatre secured three awards for its production of “Safety,” including the other Best Lead Performance in a Musical award, as well as Best Supporting Performance in a Musical (one of two in this category) and Best Original Work. The book was written by Irene Ziegler, with music and lyrics by John Winn.
Virginia Repertory Theatre came away with eight wins, three of which were for its presentation of “Come from Away,” including Best Musical. The production also garnered an award for Best
Supporting Performance in a Musical (two are given in this category), as well as the award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design (Musical). Virginia Rep earned three awards for its production of “Primary Trust.” Directed by Dr. Tawya Pettiford-Wates, the production captured the award for Best Direction of a Play, as well as the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design (Play) and Outstanding Achievement in Set Design (Play). Virginia Rep’s production of “A Christmas Carol” scored two awards as well: Outstanding Achievement in Set Design (Musical) and Outstanding Projection Design.
A total of six awards went to 5th Wall Theatre, including five for its production of “Wolf Play,” which was awarded Best Play. Centeno took an award for Best Lead Performance in a Play (two are given in this category), with Emily Berry picking up the award for Best Supporting Performance in a Play (two are given in this category as well). In addition, the play earned an award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design (Play), and Emmy Turner received a new Special Recognition award for her fight choreography. In addition, 5th Wall picked up an award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design (Play) for “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord.”
John Mincks earned an award for Best Lead Performance (Play) for his role in Richmond Shakespeare’s production of “Witch.”
The award for Breakout Performance went to Lily Marcheschi for her work in the Blk Virginia Theatre Alliance production of “Lungs.”
Nora Ogunleye secured the other award for Best Supporting Performance in a Play for her work in Richmond Triangle Players’ production of “Immediate Family.”
Each year, the Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have played a foundational role in establishing or strengthening the Richmond-area theater community. The 2026 Legacy Award honoree is the founding Artistic Director of HATTheatre, Vickie Scallion. Since staging its first professional production in 1994, HATTheatre has aimed to make high-quality, affordable theater accessible to all. The company focuses on producing Richmond-area premiers and highlighting new voices. In addition to a main stage season, HATTheatre has a thriving education series through which they fuse performance and life skills for all ages. The 2026 Legacy Award honors a committed individual who established a theater to reach West End audiences, and continues to contribute her time and talents to strengthen the Richmond area theater community at large.
“As the current President and one of the founding members of the RTCC, I am thrilled to celebrate with you the remarkable talent, passion, and resilience of our theater community,” said Julinda D. Lewis, RTCC President. “Each nomination and award reflects not just artistic achievement, but the spirit of collaboration and perseverance that defines Richmond theater. As part of that community, we of the RTCC encourage every artist, technician, and supporter to continue enriching our community through your dedication and creativity as you continue to transform Richmond stages into places where dreams come alive. And now: Places, please!”
Best Musical
“Come from Away”
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Best Direction – Musical
Chelsea Burke
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”
Best Lead Performance – Musical
Ally Dods
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”
Best Lead Performance – Musical
Grey Garrett
“Safety”
Best Supporting Performance – Musical
Zakiyyah Jackson
“Safety”
Best Supporting Performance – Musical
Alia Bisharat Glidden
“Come from Away”
Best Musical Direction
Elle Meerovich
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”
Best Choreography
Nathaniel Shaw
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Musical
Ruth Hedberg
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”
Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design – Musical
Joe Doran
“Come from Away”
Outstanding Achievement in Set Design – Musical
Daniel Conway
“A Christmas Carol”
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design – Musical
Grace Brown LaBelle
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”
Best Play
“Wolf Play”
5th Wall Theatre
Best Direction – Play
Tawnya Pettiford-Wates
“Primary Trust”
Best Lead Performance – Play
Centeno
“Wolf Play”
Best Lead Performance – Play
John Mincks
“Witch”
Best Supporting Performance – Play
Emily Berry
“Wolf Play”
Best Supporting Performance – Play
Nora Ogunleye
“Immediate Family”
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Play
Tajma Graham
“Primary Trust”
Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design – Play
Corrine Manderino
“Our Dear Dead Drug Lord”
Outstanding Achievement in Set Design – Play
Daniel Allen
“Primary Trust”
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design – Play
Candace Hudert
“Wolf Play”
Outstanding Achievement in Projection Design
Mark Costello
“A Christmas Carol”
2026 Ernie McClintock Best Ensemble Acting Award
The cast members of the Firehouse Theatre production of “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” are honored for their notable performance as a cohesive and compelling ensemble:
Taylor Baltimore
Korinne Brier
Tessa DeGrace
Emily Dandridge
Ally Dods
Madison Hatfield
Katrinah Carol Lewis
Chewie Lo Moore
Elle Meerovich
Toby O’Brien
Shinji Elspeth Oh
Wayne Parker
Shannon Schilstra
Drew Seigla
Rachel Sper
Durron Marquis Tyre
Eddie Webster
Breakout Performance
Lily Marcheschi
“Lungs”
Best Original Work
“Safety”
Firehouse Theatre
Special Recognition
Emmy Turner
for fight choreography
“Wolf Play”