Rep Stage Nominated for Six 2010 Helen Hayes Awards

The 2010 Helen Hayes Awards, one of the most prestigious theatrical honors in the country, has nominated Rep Stage, the professional theatre in residence at Howard Community College, for a total of six awards, including top production honors for "Wittenberg" as Outstanding Resident Play.

Rep Stage's production of "Wittenberg," which pits Martin Luther against Dr. Faustus in a battle of wits and passion for the soul of young Hamlet, opened the 2009-2010 season with rave reviews and sold-out performances. "Wittenberg" received a total of four nominations including Tony Tsendeas as director, Seth Reichgott as lead actor, and Norah Worthington for costume design.

Rep Stage received two more Helen Hayes Award nominations for "Hysteria," a rollicking farce featuring Sigmund Freud and Salvadore Dali. Marni Penning was nominated as supporting actress and Klyph Stanford for set design.

Rep Stage nominations for the 2010 Helen Hayes Awards are:

Outstanding Resident Play - "Wittenberg"
Oustanding Director, Resident Play - Tony Tsendeas, "Wittenberg"
The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play - Seth Reichgott, "Wittenberg"
Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production - Norah Worthington, "Wittenberg"
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play - Marni Penning, "Hysteria"
Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production - Klyph Stanford, "Hysteria"

Rep Stage's Producing Artistic Director, Michael Stebbins, says, "All of us at Rep Stage love what we do and I feel that comes across in our work. When you have passionate and talented actors, designers and directors coming together to work on such fine material like ‘Wittenberg' and ‘Hysteria,' we hope that it will be received favorably. Being recognized by the Helen Hayes Awards committee is a real honor and we're grateful for the acknowledgement."
Now in its 17th season, Rep Stage has been nominated for 45 Helen Hayes Awards and won seven. This is only the third time that Rep Stage has been nominated for Outstanding Resident Play ("The Dazzle" in 2004 and "Travels With My Aunt" in 1998), and may be the first award winner in that category. The Outstanding Costume Design for "Wittenberg" is the first nomination for a Rep Stage production in that category. At the 2009 awards ceremony, Rep Stage's Producing Artistic Director, Michael Stebbins, received The Helen Hayes Tribute Award along with fellow Washington area artistic directors in recognition for their work.
The 26th Anniversary Helen Hayes Awards ceremony will be held Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. For more information on Rep Stage, visit www.repstage.org. For more on the Helen Hayes Awards, including a complete list of nominees, visit www.helenhayes.org or call 202-337-4572.

About The Helen Hayes Awards
In a living legacy to The First Lady of The American Theatre, the Helen Hayes Award organization has for 25 years worked to celebrate the power of Washington professional theatre by building audiences, educating youth, and honoring excellence. They have given the Washington area theatre community a national identity; a community that includes over one million theatre-goers, 3500 professional theatre artists, and over 60 theatre companies. For more information about the Helen Hayes Awards programs and services, visit www.helenhayes.org or call 202-337-4572.

About Rep Stage
Rep Stage, a professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College, is in its 17th season. The company is a member of both League of Washington Theatres and Baltimore Theatre Alliance. Performances are made possible by Howard County Arts Council, Howard County Government, and Maryland State Arts Council, an agency funded by the state of Maryland and National Endowment for the Arts, as well as through generous individual contributions. Howard Bank is the Rep Stage 2009-10 season partner.

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