Des Moines Community Playhouse Celebrates With The Dionysos Awards

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse for the 2018-19 Dionysos Awards on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. The Dionysos Awards celebrates the contributions of more than 750 individuals, giving 55,000 hours annually as actors, backstage crews, and guest services volunteers.

The evening begins with a social with cash bar at 6:30 PM. The awards presentation follows at 7:30 PM in the Mainstage auditorium. The event is free, but tickets are required and available online to dmplayhouse.com.

The Dionysos Awards annually recognizes backstage, guest services, and education volunteers who have made exceptional contributions to the recently completed season. Honorees this year are Rachel Allen, Kathleen Baustian, Kim Blakesley, Steve Blakesley, Lora Cesana, Travis Edrington, Susan Eisenhour, Dan Goss, Anna Karr, Ann Kramer, Alli Kroeger, John Messersmith, Mary Reeves, Don Rothweiler, Christopher Rozenboom, Maggie Schmitt, Shirley Sharp, and Lisa Thoemmes. Timothy Rose of A Gentle Guide to Des Moines Theatre will receive a special recognition award.

Actors nominated by audiences and chosen by season ticket holders will be announced at the Dionysos Awards. Acting nominees are:

Outstanding Performance by a Youth Actor in a Play or Musical, Kate Goldman Children's Theater & Family Holiday Classic
Crey Abbas as Ensemble in Miss Nelson Is Missing!
Will Bower as Nick in A Little House Christmas
Jackson Michael Gabby as Flounder in Disney's The Little Mermaid
Tyndal Hervey as Ensemble in Miss Nelson Is Missing!
Jack Ray as Adam in Miss Nelson Is Missing!

Outstanding Performance by a Youth Actress in a Play or Musical, Kate Goldman Children's Theatre & Family Holiday Classic
Isabelle Baker as Laura in A Little House Christmas
Caroline Holmes as Nellie in A Little House Christmas
Joy Mielke as Squirelle 2 in Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play"
Josie Talley as Mary in A Little House Christmas
Savannah Trotter as Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid
Savannah Trotter as Allison in Miss Nelson Is Missing!

Outstanding Performance by an Adult Actor in a Play or Musical, Kate Goldman Children's Theater & Family Holiday Classic
Shawn Baker as Mr. Edwards in A Little House Christmas
Blake Clyde as Sebastian in Disney's The Little Mermaid
Douglas Cochrane as Gerald in Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play"
Mark Maddy as Pop Hanson/Mr. Blandsworth/ Al CAtraz/Detective McSmogg in Miss Nelson Is Missing!

Outstanding Performance by an Adult Actress in a Play or Musical, Kate Goldman Children's Theatre & Family Holiday Classic
Jenna Darsee as Ma in A Little House Christmas
Gina Gedler as Miss Nelson/Viola Swamp in Miss Nelson Is Missing!
Allyson Martens as Piggie in Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play"
Jackie Schmillen as Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Play, Mainstage
Micheal Davenport as Paul Sheldon in Misery
Ian Shields as Chad in Choices

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Play, Mainstage
Lyndsy Darland as Liz Mayfield in Choices
Preshia Paulding as Annie Wilkes in Misery

Outstanding Performance by a Youth Actor in a Musical, Mainstage
Will Donaghy as Mark in A Chorus Line
Jack Gabby as Winthrop Paroo in Meredith Willson's The Music Man
Ryan Henzi as The Little Boy in Ragtime

Outstanding Performance by a Youth Actress in a Musical, Mainstage
Lorena Eclatt as Diana Morales in A Chorus Line
Tess Meggison as Amaryllis in Meredith Willson's The Music Man
Sarah Rasavanh as Connie in A Chorus Line
Lily Spahr & Nina Spahr as The Little Girl in Ragtime

Outstanding Performance by an Adult Actor in a Musical, Mainstage
Brad D. Church as Harold Hill in Meredith Willson's The Music Man
Blake Clyde as Coalhouse Walker Jr in Ragtime
Demarius Fisher Jr as Richie in A Chorus Line
Bryan Gamboa as Paul in A Chorus Line
Maxwell Schaeffer as Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia!
Brett Spahr as Tateh in Ragtime

Outstanding Performance by an Adult Actress in a Musical, Mainstage
Dani Boal as Mother in Ragtime
Ann Kramer as Cassie in A Chorus Line
Kellie Kramer as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!
Katy Merriman as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's The Music Man
Jess Richter as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia!

The Playhouse, now in its 100th season, is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about the Playhouse and the Dionysos Awards, please contact the Playhouse at 515-974-5358.