Helen Hayes Awards

Folger Theatre has received 158 nominations and has won 31 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in acting, direction, design, and production. To learn more about the Helen Hayes Awards, click here.

Winning productions

Outstanding Resident Play

• Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)

Outstanding Original Play or Musical Adaptation

Aaron Posner, District Merchants (Folger Theatre, 2016)

Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play

• Craig Wright, playwright, Melissa Arctic (Folger Theatre, 2004)

Outstanding Ensemble in a Play

• Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theater, 2016)
• Fiasco Theater's Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theater, 2014)

Outstanding Director, Resident Production

• Eric Tucker, Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Aaron Posner, Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Aaron Posner, Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Aaron Posner, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)
• Joe Banno, Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)

Outstanding Choreography in a Play

• Alexandra Beller, Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theatre, 2016)

Oustanding Lead Performer in a Play - Hayes

• Alison Luff, Nell Gwynn (Folger Theatre, 2019)

Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

• Holly Twyford, as Juliet, Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)

Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Leading Actor, Resident Play

• Graham Michael Hamilton, as Hamlet, Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)

James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play

• Ian Merrill Peakes, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Folger Theatre, 2015)
• Zachary Fine, as Valentine, Fiasco Theater's The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2014)

• Louis Butelli, as Will Sommers playing the roles of Surveyor, Cromwell, Old Lady, & others, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play

• Eric Hissom, as Bernard Nightengale, Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play

• Erin Weaver, as Thomasina Coverly, Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)
• Kate Eastwood Norris, as Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Holly Twyford, as Speed, Host, and Eglamour, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)

Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production

• Christopher Saul, as Polonius, Francisco, Player, First Grave Digger, Priest, Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)

Outstanding Set Design

• Tony Cisek, Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998)

Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production

• Andrew F. Griffin, Henry V (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Dan Covey, The Tempest (Folger Theatre, 2000)

Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production

• Sarah Pickett (Sound Designer & Add'l. Music), Andre Pluess (Composer), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Scott Burgess, The Tempest (Folger Theatre, 2000)
• Scott Burgess, Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)

Nominated productions

Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play

• Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Caleen Sinnette, playwright, Casting Juliet/Playing Othello (Folger Theatre, 1998)

James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play

• Akeem Davis, as Lancelot, District Merchants (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Andy Grotelueschen, as Lance/Duke, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2014)
• Louis Butelli, as Feste, Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Richard Sheridan, as Malvolio, Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Danny Scheie, as Grumio, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)

Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production

• Erika Chong Shuch, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Erika Chong Shuch, The Conference of the Birds (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Dale Anthony Girard, Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Brad Waller, Fight Choreographer, Richard III (with the Travelling Shakespeare Company, 1995)

Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production

• Mariah Hale, Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• William Ivey Long, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Kate Turner-Walker, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Kate Turner-Walker, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)

Outstanding Director, Resident Play

• Aaron Posner, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Folger Theatre, 2015)
• Jessie Austrian and Ben Steinfeld, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2014)
• Aaron Posner, Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Aaron Posner, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Joseph Haj, Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Robert Richmond, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Aaron Posner, Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)
• Teller and Aaron Posner, Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)
• Aaron Posner, Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre, 2003)
• Joe Calarco, Shakespeare's R & J (Folger Theatre, 2000)

Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play

• The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)

Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

• Michael Benz, as Hamlet, Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)

Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical

• Floyd King, Mad About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 1998)
• Jeff Hairston, male vocalist, Standup Shakespeare (Folger Theatre, 1995)

Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play

• Ian Merrill Peakes, as Harlequin, The Game of Love and Chance (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Mark Zeisler, as The Duke, Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Ted van Griethuysen, as Lord Ogleby, The Clandestine Marriage (Folger Theatre, 2005)
• Ian Price, as Elyot Chase, Private Lives (with the Interact Theatre Company, 1995)

Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

• Erin Weaver, as Juliet, Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Kate Eastwood Norris, as Katherine Minola, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Naomi Jacobson, as Queen Katherine, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Holly Twyford, as Electra, Tyndareus, Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Holly Twyford, as Hannah Jarvis, Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)
• Michael Learned, as Elizabeth, Elizabeth the Queen (Folger Theatre, 2003)
• Lucy Newman-Williams, as Lady Macbeth, Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2001)
• Holly Twyford, as Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998)

Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production

• Thom Weaver, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Folger Theatre, 2015)
• Thom Weaver, Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Andrew F. Griffin, Othello (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Justin Townshend, Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Klyph Standford, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Thom Weaver, Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)
• John Hey, Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Dan Covey, Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2001)

Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

• Robert Eisenstein The Second Shepherd's Play  Folger Theatre, 2015
• James Sugg, Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• George Fulginiti-Shakar, Mad About the Bard (Folger Theatre, 1998)
• Jack Bashkow, Standup Shakespeare (Folger Theatre, 1995)

Outstanding Non-Resident Production

• King Lear  (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)
• Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)

Outstanding Resident Play

• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Folger Theatre, 2015)
• The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2014)
• Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Orestes, A Tragic Romp (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)
• Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)
• The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2004)
• She Stoops to Conquer (Folger Theatre, 2002)
• Shakespeare's R & J (Folger Theatre, 2000)
• Much Ado About Nothing (Folger Theatre, 1998)
• Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 1997)

Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

• John McDermott, Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Daniel Conway, Cyrano (Folger Theatre, 2011)
• Tony Cisek, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Daniel Conway, Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• James Wolk, Lettice and Lovage

Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production

• Christopher Baine and Carla Kihlstedt, Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Cliff Eberhardt, Original Music and Christopher Baine, Sound Design, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Matthew M. Nielson and Jack Herrick, Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Anthony Cochrane and Michael Rasbury, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Veronika Vorel, Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)
• Karin Graybash and Kenny Wollesen, Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 2008)
• Scott Burgess, Elizabeth the Queen (Folger Theatre, 2003)
• Neil McFadden, Measure for Measure (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Scott Burgess, Othello (Folger Theatre, 2002)

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play

• Ralph Cosham, as Egeus Snout, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2006)

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play

• Lisa Birnbaum as Mrs Dashwood/Anne Steele, Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Nicole Kang as Margaret Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Emily Young as Lucretta/Sylvia, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Folger Theatre, 2014)
• Sherri L. Edelen, as Nurse, Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre, 2013)
• Sarah Marshall, as Baptista Minola, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Holly Twyford, as Tranio, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Naomi Jacobson, as Paulina, The Winter's Tale (Folger Theatre, 2009)
• Sarah Marshall, as Touchstone, As You Like It (Folger Theatre, 2007)
• Stephanie Burden, as Helena, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Folger Theatre, 2006)
• Catherine Flye, as Mrs. Hardcastle, She Stoops to Conquer (Folger Theatre, 2002)
• Emily Young, as Lucretta, Sylvia, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Fiasco Theater, 2014)

Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production

• Tom Lawrence, as Horatio, Reynaldo, Captain, Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)
• Bethan Cullinane, as Cordelia, Fool, King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)
• Joseph Marcell, as King Lear King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)
• Alex Mugnaioni, as Edgar, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Burgundy, King Lear (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)

Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Leading Actor, Resident Play

• Jamie Smithson, as Edward Ferrars, Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theatre, 2016)
• Adam Wesley Brown, as Guildenstern, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Folger Theatre, 2015)
• Cody Nickell, as Petruchio, The Taming of the Shrew (Folger Theatre, 2012)
• Ian Merrill Peakes, as King Henry, Henry VIII (Folger Theatre, 2010)
• Cody Nickell, as Septimus Hodge, Arcadia (Folger Theatre, 2009)

Outstanding Performer, Visiting Production

• Bethan Cullinane, as Cordellia/Fool, King Lear  (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)
• Joseph Marcell, as King Lear, King Lear  (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)
• Alex Mugnaioni, as Edward/Duke of Cornwall/Duke of Burgundy, King Lear  (Shakespeare's Globe, 2014)

Image gallery

Browse a selection of stills from Folger Theatre's Helen Hayes awarded and nominated productions.

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  Christopher Borg (Benvolio), Paul Takacs (Mercutio), John Worley (Romeo), and Johnny Ray Meeks (Tybalt), Romeo and Juliet, directed by Joe Banno, Folger Theatre, 1997. Ken Cobb .

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  Holly Twyford (Beatrice), David Fendig (Benedick), Much Ado About Nothing. Folger Theatre, 1998. Directed by Joe Banno. Ken Cobb.

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  Floyd King, Mad About the Bard, conceived by Floyd King and Ethan McSweeny. Folger Theatre, 1998. Directed by Ethan McSweeny. Carol Pratt.

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  Michael Tolaydo (Prospero) and Maia DeSanti (Miranda), The Tempest, directed by Joe Banno, Folger Theatre, 2000. Ken Cobb.

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  Michael Learned (Elizabeth I), Martin Kildare (the Earl of Essex), Elizabeth the Queen, Folger Theatre, 2003. Directed by Richard Clifford. Carol Pratt.