Artists connected to American University’s Theatre Program are among those recognized in this year’s Helen Hayes Awards nominations, which honor outstanding achievement in professional theatre across the Washington, DC region. Named for legendary stage and screen actor Helen Hayes, the awards celebrate the artists and companies whose work sustains one of the nation’s most vibrant theatre communities. This year’s nominees include a number of AU alumni, faculty members, and affiliated artists whose work continues to shape the professional theatre landscape in Washington and beyond. 

Congratulations to the nominees! 

Alumni

• Megan Kempton ’25
  Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical, Helen 
  Evil Dead the Musical, Workhouse Arts Center 
• Ryan Burke ’14 
  Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Helen 
  Falsettos, The Keegan Theatre 

Faculty

• Meghan Raham
  Outstanding Set Design, Hayes
  Bad Books, Round House Theatre 
  
   
• Aaron Posner
  Outstanding Director of a Play, Hayes
  The American Five, Ford's Theatre 
• Susan Derry
  Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical, Helen  
  The Turn of the Screw: The Musical, Creative Cauldron  

Associated Artists

• Sierra Young (Intimacy Coordinator) 
  Outstanding Choreography in a Play, Hayes  
  Dodi & Diana, Mosaic Theater Company 
• Ro Boddie (Adjunct Faculty and Guest Lecturer)
  Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play, Hayes  
  The American Five, Ford's Theatre 

Learn more about the Theatre/Musical Theatre Program in American University’s Department of Performing Arts.