Kokandy, Invictus theater companies tie for most Non-Equity Jeff Awards in lively ceremony

Kokandy Productions' “Jekyll & Hyde” and Invictus Theatre's "Angels in America" tied for the most honors Monday at the 52nd Non-Equity Jeff Awards, with each show winning seven awards.

The theaters that staged them each won eight awards in combination with other productions. The annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards recognize Chicago’s storefront scene and other theaters that are non-unionized.

The event inside the Harris Theater Chicago in Millennium Park featured several performances, including one from "Jekyll & Hyde," which earned a rousing standing ovation from the crowd.

Invictus received awards for two productions including “Angels in America,” which was recognized for ensemble, direction, and performances, and “The House that Will Not Stand.” Director Charles Askenaizer did not appear to receive his award, and some boos were heard in the crowd when his name was called. The Chicago Tribune reported last month that the theater company recently postponed a production due to a third-party investigation into the director's conduct.

The best performance award in a play went to local actor-playwright Terry Guest, who won for his unforgettable lead role in “At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen” produced by Story Theatre at Raven Theatre. In the show, Guest plays a fictional version of his real-life uncle, a drag queen in rural Georgia, who died of AIDS.

“So many of y'all came out to support the show, and it's a really personal show," Guest said as he accepted his award. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to God for making me gay and Black.”

Kokandy’s "Jekyll & Hyde” is slated for an upcoming fall run in partnership with Broadway in Chicago at Broadway Playhouse in Water Tower Place. The musical nabbed a best director honor for Kokandy’s Artistic Director Derek Van Barham, and actor Ava Lane Stovall was awarded the best supporting performer in a musical for her showstopping performance as Lucy Harris.

David Moreland, who portrayed the dual roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde, won best performance in a musical. Receiving his award Monday, Moreland thanked Van Barham and his fellow castmates before saying of the fall remount, "Let's do it again!" That garnered a loud cheer from the audience.

Three plays tied for the coveted award for new work, which recognizes premieres: Zach Barr’s “The Pilon,” by Red Theater; Omer Abbas Salem’s “One Party Consent” by First Floor Theater; and Chase Wheaton-Werle’s “The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince” by The Factory Theater.

The Imposter Theatre Co. won four awards, including best production short run for “Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre won three total awards, including two for “Diana: The Musical,” based on the life of Diana, Princess of Wales.

To be eligible for awards, a show had to be staged between Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025 and be recommended by judges, who attended opening nights of 102 productions and issued recommendations to 47 of them.

“This feels overwhelmingly wonderful," said Chicago actor Luke Nowakowski of Monday's ceremony. "The Jeffs make it feel like theater is worth it still, and we're working toward beautiful things."

Here is the full list of 2025 Non-Equity Jeff Award recipients:

PRODUCTION – PLAY
“Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre

PRODUCTION – MUSICAL
“Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions

ENSEMBLE – PLAY
“Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre Company

ENSEMBLE – MUSICAL
“Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions

NEW WORK
Zach Barr – “The Pilon” – Red Theater
Omer Abbas Salem – “One Party Consent” – First Floor Theater
Chase Wheaton-Werle – “The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince” – The Factory Theater

DIRECTOR – PLAY
Charles Askenaizer – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre

DIRECTOR – MUSICAL
Derek Van Barham – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions

PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Terry Guest (Courtney / Anthony) – “At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen” – The Story Theatre
Ryan Hake (Prior Walter) – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre

PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
David Moreland (Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde) – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions
Aurora Penepacker (Amélie Poulain) – “Amélie” – Kokandy Productions

SOLO PERFORMER
Cynthia Marker (Woman) – “Girls & Boys” – Griffin Theatre Company

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Michael D. Graham (Roy M. Cohn) – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre Company
Anne Trodden (Harper Amaty Pitt) – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre Company

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Jacqueline Grandt (Queen / Barbara) – “Diana: The Musical” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Ava Lane Stovall (Lucy Harris) – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions

MUSIC DIRECTION
Nick Sula – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions

SCENIC DESIGN
Kevin Rolfs – “The House That Will Not Stand” – Invictus Theatre

COSTUME DESIGN
Patty Halajian – “Diana: The Musical” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

CHOREOGRAPHY
Brenda Didier – “Urinetown” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

SOUND DESIGN
Joe Griffin – “Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter” – City Lit Theater Company and Black Button Eyes Productions

LIGHTING DESIGN
G. "Max" Maxin IV – “Jekyll & Hyde” – Kokandy Productions

PROJECTION DESIGN
G. "Max" Maxin IV – “Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre

ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
David Blixt – Fight Choreography – “Superior Donuts” – The Artistic Home
Victoria Jablonski – Wig Design – “The School for Scandal” – Idle Muse Theatre Company
Rachel Livingston – Properties Design – “The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince” – The Factory Theater

PRODUCTION – SHORT RUN
“Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.

DIRECTOR – SHORT RUN
Stefan Roseen – “Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.

PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – SHORT RUN
Andrew Kain Miller (Terrence) – “Mr. Parker” – Open Space Arts

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – SHORT RUN
Josh Odor (Senior) – “Gangsta Baby” – Open Space Arts

NEW WORK – SHORT RUN
Dominick Alesia - “Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.

DESIGN – SHORT RUN
Toria Olivier, Costume Design – “Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey” – The Impostors Theatre Co.

IMPRESARIO AWARD – Excellence in Stage Management
Kendyl Meyer – First Floor Theater and Kokandy Productions

SPECIAL NON-EQUITY AWARD
Kathy Scambiatterra