To be presented at the November 2025 TANYS Festival
Festival Awards
Roving Adjudicator Merit Awards
2025 Roving Adjudicator Merit Awards
October 27, 2024 - late October 2025 (exact date TBD)
Black Orchid Theatre Group
My Three Angels
Adjudicator: Frances Ruoff
- Excellence in Ensemble Work to the Cast
- Excellence in Acting to Max Ferman for the portrayal of Joseph
- Excellence in Direction to Craig Hutchison
- Excellence in Acting to John P. Naughton for the portrayal of Uncle Henri Trochard
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Norval W. Soleyn for the portrayal of Jules
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Sergio Lockhart for the portrayal of Alfred
Classic Theater Guild
Lend Me a Tenor
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Joseph Bruton
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
Classic Theater Guild
Peter Pan
Adjudicator: Arnie Galin
- Meritorious Achievement in the Development of Youth Theatre to Classic Theater Guild
CNY Arts Center
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
Adjudicator: Arnie Galin
- Excellence in Acting to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction and Producing to Lori Blackburn
- Meritorious Achievement in Choreography to Kami Greenleaf
Confetti Stage
Fairview
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Acting to Earth O. Phoenix for the portrayal of Beverly
- Excellence in Ensemble Acting to the Cast
- Excellence in Direction to Aaron Moore
- Outstanding Achievement in Acting to Eliana Rowe for the portrayal of Keisha
Confetti Stage
Rehearsal for Murder
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Ken Kasch for the portrayal of Alex
- Meritorious Achievement in Lighting Design to Laura Darling
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
Cuba-Rushford Central School Drama Club
The Music Man
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Direction to Monica Kwiatkowski
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Musical Performance to Haley Emhoff and the Orchestra
- Meritorious Achievement in Costume Design to Crystal Wight
- Excellence in Scenic Design to Mark Levine
Fabius-Pompey Central School
Willy Wonka
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Megan Gagnier
- Meritorious Achievement in Costuming to Kristin Palazzoli
- Excellence in Musical Performance to Nicole Damon and the Pit Orchestra
Finger Lakes Community College
Points on the Curve
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Direction and Production Design to James Perri
- Excellence in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
- Excellence in Light Design to Kathryn Snyder
- Excellence in Sound Design to Brandon Wyand
Finger Lakes Community College
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Adjudicator: Bob Frame
- Excellence in Sound Design and Execution to Brandon Wyand
- Excellence in Acting to Natalie Mix for the portrayal of Lucy Van Pelt
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Beth Johnson
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Pearl Walker for the portrayal of Sally Brown
- Meritorious Achievement in Scenic Design and Execution to Jim Perri
- Meritorious Achievement in Stage Management to Zach Bowman
Genesee Valley Central School Drama Club
Descendants: The Musical
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Excellence in Direction to Donna Slawson
- Excellence in Vocal Direction to Caleb Durant
- Excellence in Costuming to Mandy Tawil, Payton Werner and Donna Slawson
- Excellence in Technical Design and Execution to Nathan Slawson, Daphne Gugino and the Theater Production and Exploration Class
Geneva Theatre Guild
Completely Hollywood (Abridged)
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Loren Schmidtgall
Hamilton Central School Masquers
Little Shop of Horrors
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Excellence in Direction to Donna Moren
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Fatemah Rosbrook, Ciara Sparber and Amelia Furlong
- Meritorious Achievement in Vocal Performance to Rowan Speck
- Meritorious Achievement in Vocal Performance to Ryker Jones
- Meritorious Achievement in Vocal Performance to Claire Filipowicz
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Logan Norris and Noah Dennis-Harding
- Excellence in Musical Performance to Michael Coldren and the Orchestra
- Meritorious Achievement in Technical Design and Execution to Morgan Larson, Jennifer Jones, Hank Child, Connor Carroll and Kathleen Stahl
- Excellence in Choreography to Jacquie Babcock
Hornell Central School Drama Club
Hadestown
Adjudicator: Joan Luther
- Excellence in Vocal Performance to Sam Olix for the portrayal of Orpheus
- Excellence in Vocal Performance to Alaina Raish for the portrayal of Eurydice
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Kelsea Criss for the portrayal of Hermes
- Excellence In Direction and Production Concept to Mark D. Smith and the Production Staff
Ilion Little Theatre
Prescription: Murder
Adjudicator: Arnie Galin
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Stephen Wagner for the portrayal of Dr. Roy Flemming
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Steven J. Handzel for the portrayal of Lieutenant Columbo
Indian River Thespian Troupe
Willy Wonka
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Excellence in Direction to Kristie Farr
- Excellence in Musical Performance to Caleb Reid and the Orchestra
- Meritorious Achievement in Technical Design and Execution to Devon Gillan
- Excellence in Choreography to Tricia Moore
Little Theatre of Watertown
Miracle on 34th Street
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Vocal Performance to the Vocal Ensemble
- Excellence in Acting to Mary Summerlin for the portrayal of Doris Walker
- Excellence in Acting to David Koberling for the portrayal of Fred Gayley
- Excellence in Acting to Robert Kimball for the portrayal of Judge Harper
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Work to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Lindsey Oakes
- Meritorious Achievement to the Technical Design and Operations Team for mounting this production on the road and in a new performance space
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Robbie Gray for the portrayal of Kris Kringle
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Ian Patrick Corbett for the portrayal of Ms. Macy
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Chloe Foss for the portrayal of Shellhammer
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Ava Hanson for the portrayal of Duncan
Norwich Theater Company
Terms of Endearment
Adjudicator: Arnie Galin
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Acting to the Cast
- Special Recognition to Egan Parmalee for stepping in minutes before the curtain and performing in a lead role
Olean Community Theatre
H.M.S. Pinafore
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Acting to Aaron Gies for the portrayal of Captain Corcoran
- Excellence in Acting to David Merwine for the portrayal of Sir Joseph Porter KCB
- Excellence in Direction to Jake Riggs
- Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Performance to Andrea Harris for the portrayal of Josephine
- Excellence in Vocal Performance to Mike Staley for the portrayal of Ralph Rackstraw
- Excellence in Vocal Performance to Angela Emley for the portrayal of Little Buttercup
- Excellence in Musical Direction to Pat Waldron
- Excellence in Ensemble Acting to the Cast
Olean Community Theatre
Steel Magnolias
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
- Excellence in Direction to Angela Emley
- Meritorious Achievement in Scenic Design and Execution to Jake Riggs and Angela Emley
Oswego Homeschool Association
Mary Poppins JR.
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Adam Schmidtmann
- Meritorious Achievement in Choreography to Jessie Dobrzynski
- Meritorious Achievement in Costuming to Nellica Rave
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Ramonda Huff for the portrayal of Mary Poppins
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Brayden DeMaria for the portrayal of Bert
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Catelyn Adelman for the portrayal of Michael Banks
Palmer Opera House
Miracle on 34th Street
Adjudicator: Joan Luther
- Excellence in Direction to Diane Willard
- Excellence in Scenic Painting to Connie Doyle and Lynn Fulmer
- Excellence in Scenic Shift to the Cast and Crew
- Excellence in Stage Presence to the Carolers, Street People, Pedestrians and Children
- Excellence in Acting to Paul Nelson for the portrayal of Kris Kringle
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Izzy Tinder for the portrayal of Multiple Roles (Sparkle Elf)
Portville Central School Drama Club
Aladdin Jr.
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Meritorious Achievement in Choreography to Alana Gagliardo and Sadie Dickerson
- Meritorious Achievement in Vocal Performance to Myra Sprout
- Meritorious Achievement in Vocal Performance to Mitchem Smith
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to David Brown for the portrayal of Jafar
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Joey DePoty for the portrayal of Iago
- Excellence in Direction to Cheri Maxson
- Excellence in Musical Direction to Lynne Weimer
- Excellence in Technical Design and Execution to Don Hays, Adam Parthemore, Amanda Burdick, Gabrielle Green
Rocking Horse Productions
The Play That Goes Wrong
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Outstanding Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
- Outstanding Achievement in Production Design, Concept, Execution and Technical Direction to Christopher Fire, Chuck Ziehl, Douglas H. Kern, Larry Fura, Nancy Johnson, Jessica Moses-Johnson and Jamie Moore
- Outstanding Achievement in Direction to Christopher Fire
Rome Community Theater
Clue
Adjudicator: Bob Frame
- Outstanding Achievement in Direction, Scenic Design and Painting to Loraine O’Donnell
- Excellence in Ensemble Acting to the Cast
- Excellence in Acting to Liam Butler for the portrayal of Wadsworth
- Excellence in Scene Changes to Maid and Butler Stage Crew
- Excellence in Lighting Design to Mike Sharp
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Gabriel Hage for the portrayal of Professor Plum
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Taylor Marie Staskowski for the portrayal of Yvette
- Meritorious Achievement in Set Construction to John Frank and Chris Stepanik
Rome Community Theater
First Date
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Performance to the Cast
- Excellence in Direction to Claire Bosley, Alaces Jewel Sarmiento and Johnny Calabrese
- Excellence in Musical Performance to Alaces Jewel Sarmiento and the Orchestra
- Excellence in Costume Design to Kat McGreevy
Rome Community Theater
Rabbit Hole
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Production Design and Concept to the Director and Designers
- Excellence in Direction to Adam Jackson
- Excellence in Ensemble Acting to the Cast
- Excellence in Acting to Dante Palumbo for the portrayal of Howie
- Excellence in Acting to Mary Grace Kehrli for the portrayal of Izzy
- Excellence in Acting to Jessica Hampe for the portrayal of Nat
- Outstanding Achievement in Acting to Lauren Taylor for the portrayal of Becca
- Outstanding Achievement in Acting to Luke Collins for the portrayal of Jason
Rome Community Theater
RCT Family Christmas Carol
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Work to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Dave Bush
- Meritorious Achievement in Choreography to Cassie Dolan
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Anthony Graham for the portrayal of Bob Cratchit
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Mark Hanna for the portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge
Sherburne-Earlville CSD Drama Club
Little Women
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Acting to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Ryker Fuller for the portrayal of Jo March
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Lisette Shiffer
- Meritorious Achievement in Costume Design and Execution to Desiree Strobel
South Seneca Falcon Players
The Wizard of Oz
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Excellence in Choreography to Chad Eastman
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Elana Michael for the portrayal of Dorothy
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Brooke Jennings for the portrayal of the Cowardly Lion
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Makaila McLaughlin for the portrayal of The Tin Man
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Julia Rogers for the portrayal of the Scarecrow
- Excellence in Direction to Tina Coville-Bauder
- Excellence in Musical Direction to Madelyn Houck
- Excellence in Musical Performance to David Turken and the Orchestra
- Excellence in Technical Design and Execution to Jared Pratt, Nicole Nelson, Chamberlain Bauder, Andrea Puls
Southern Cayuga Drama Club
Working
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Meritorious Achievement in Direction to Jennifer Diana
- Excellence in Musical Performance to Lily Vernon and the Pit
- Meritorious Achievement in Scenic Design and Execution to Ricky Gessler
- Meritorious Achievement in Choreography to Victoria Hill
Spartan Stage, East Syracuse Minoa Central HS
Anastasia: The Musical
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Ensemble Performance to the Cast and Crew
- Excellence in Direction to Aimee deBerjeois
- Excellence in Choreography to Caira Cramer Walter
- Excellence in Sound Design to Steve Caccamo
- Excellence in Musical Performance to Charles Penfield and the Orchestra
- Excellence in Set Design and Construction to Carl, Joyce, Abbey and Reese Rode
- Excellence in Technical Direction to Todd Durantini, Jr.
- Excellence in Performance to Aaron Ali for the portrayal of Vlad
- Excellence in Performance to Ryan Sullivan for the portrayal of Dmitry
- Excellence in Performance to Emma deBerjeois for the portrayal of Anya
- Excellence in Performance to Ermin Hajdarevic for the portrayal of Glebb
Syosset High School Association of Creative Thespians
As You Like It
Adjudicator: Frances Ruoff
- Outstanding Achievement in Acting to Madeline Lee as Celia
- Excellence in Acting to Valerie Liang as Rosalind
- Excellence in Acting to Ethen Hong as Orlando
- Excellence in Acting to Kiki Powell as Phoebe
- Excellence in Acting to Arvin Huang as Silvius
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Carly Corcoran as Touchstone
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Jordan Reinhardt as Oliver
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Work to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Directing to Gene Connor
- Meritorious Achievement to the Crew
Syosset High School Association of Creative Thespians
Noises Off
Adjudicator: Frances Ruoff
- Outstanding Achievement in Acting to Lusanga Carter for the portrayal of Lloyd Dallas
- Outstanding Achievement to the Crew and Production Staff
- Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design to Tiffany Holtje and members of the Scenic Design class
- Excellence in Ensemble Work to the Cast
- Excellence in Acting to Katie Purdy for the portrayal of Brooke Ashton
- Excellence in Acting to Jenna Kurmemaj for the portrayal of Belinda Blair
- Excellence in Direction to Gene Connor
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Hannah Lee for the portrayal of Dotty Otley
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Penelope Smith for the portrayal of Poppy Norton-Taylor
Two of Us Productions/Roving Actor's Repertory Ensemble (RARE)
Clue
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Excellence in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
- Excellence in Technical Design and Execution to Stephen Sanborn
Two of Us Productions/Roving Actor's Repertory Ensemble (RARE)
Nunsense
Adjudicator: Bob Frame
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Kitt LaPaix for the portrayal of Reverend Mother
- Meritorious Achievement in Puppetry to Nicole Molinski
- Meritorious Achievement in Sound Operation to Leigh Fisher Troche
Wellsville Secondary School
Legally Blonde
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Light Design to Diane Willard
- Meritorious Achievement in Scenic Design to Mark Corwine
- Meritorious Achievement in Costume Design to Amy Thomas and Susan Ralyea
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Maddie Muurisepp for the portrayal of Elle Woods
- Meritorious Achievement in Performance to Maddison Baker for the portrayal of Paulette Buonofuonte
- Excellence in Musical Performance to Matthew Purks-Morris and the Orchestra
- Excellence in Choreography to Kate Martelle and the Ensemble
Wellsville Secondary School
Witness for the Prosecution
Adjudicator: Joan Luther
- Excellence in Production Design and Concept to the Director, Designers, Cast and Crew
- Excellence in Ensemble Acting to the Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Keenen O’Connor for the portrayal of Leonard Vole
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Cloey Middaugh for the portrayal of Ms. Mayhew
- Excellence in Theater Education to Wellsville Secondary School
YCP TheaterWorks
Dreams "R" Us: Three One-Act Plays
Adjudicator: Paul Nelson
- Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Director and Cast
- Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Heather Firestone for the portrayal of Olive Stratton
- Meritorious Achievement in Playwrighting to Bruce Pearl
These awards are based on three separate designations:
Meritorious Achievement, Excellence and Outstanding Achievement
Meritorious Achievement = Some advanced theatrical skill noted
Excellence = Theatrical skill base not routinely noted in non-professional theatre
Outstanding Achievement = Theatrical skill base rarely seen in non-professional theatre
Listed Alphabetically by Company
