the 2018 ariZoni nominees react to being nominated!

by Gil Benbrook

PHX Stages reached out to dozens of 2018 Zoni nominees, shortly after they learned that they were nominated for the Valley's biggest theatre award, to find out where they were when they heard the news about being nominated and their reaction to what their nomination means to them.

The 2018 ariZoni Awards ceremony is Monday September 17th - Tickets are on sale now. CLICK HERE to order your tickets now and for more information.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of 2018 ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence nominees

Robert Andrews 
Scenic Design, Play, ASU School of Film, Theatre and Dance - Six Stories Tall (with Antonio Hernandez)

"I was playing some board games with my friends when I saw the live stream on Facebook. They announced scenic design first so that came as a huge surprise. Then I heard T.A. say my name along with my co-designer Antonio for our work on Six Stories Tall at ASU. Antonio thought I was kidding when I said we were nominated, but I wasn't. I was shocked that our work was recognized by the community because it was the most fun show I had co-designed and the fact that we had been working on it for about 6 months was such a rewarding feeling. When I heard our name I got very excited and wanted to tell everyone there, but I was told to keep it down because I didn't want to wake up my friends 8 month old son."

Puneet Bajwa
Actress in a Supporting Role - Space 55 -  Night of the Chicken

"My husband and I were out playing pool when I got a message from a friend congratulating me on the nomination. Since, I am a first-time nominee I wasn't expecting this or even waiting for the list to be published. Hence, my first reaction was being confused and in disbelief. My husband went to the ariZoni website and did not see my name on it. They still had the 2017 nominee list on it. Hence, I casually dismissed the news thinking it may have been a mistake. Next, I get an email from another friend. That's when I go online to read posts about the nominations and finally see the 2018 nominations on the PHX Stages website. That is when a feeling of happiness, gratitude and excitement sunk in and we went ahead to order another one-two-three round of drinks. "

Jasmine Bassham (with Sam Primack) in Spotlight Youth Theatre's Jesus Christ Superstar
photo by Josh Globke

Jasmine Bassham
Actress in a Major Role- Youth Musical - Spotlight Youth Theatre - Jesus Christ Superstar

Actress in a Supporting Role- Youth Musical - Spotlight Youth Theatre - Cabaret

"When I heard about my Zoni nominations I was sitting in my kitchen listening to the facebook live stream of the readings. My dad and step mom were right by my side. When I heard Thea say my name I was so excited because it had been my first time ever being nominated for a Zoni! The kind of recognition that comes from just being nominated is so honoring. It is amazing that the AriZonis recognize all of the hard work these young actors and actresses put into their characters and their shows and I am so thankful for it."

Gary Caswell
Actor in a Supporting Role- Play - Almost Famous Theatre Company - Ken Ludwig's Lend Me A Tenor

"When I heard I was nominated AriZoni Award, I was sitting on my sofa doing what I do best- WATCHING TV- I'm a very proud couch potato. (When I'm not in a show) My GF and I were on episode 2 of The Sinner when I checked my phone to take a look at the nominee's. Loved seeing all my theatre friends nominated. Then, to my surprise, I saw my name- Best Supporting Actor in a play- Almost Famous Theatre company- Lend Me a Tenor- Gary Caswell. VERY COOL. This was a great show with a super cast and a great director. I'm very proud of this nomination. This is my 6th nomination and I proudly hang my three Arizoni Awards (two for acting and one for directing) in my home for all to see."


Caelan Creaser
Actress in a Major Role- Musical - ASU Music Theatre and Opera - Legally Blonde

"I was at home, resting, since Mondays are my day off from doing “Catch Me If You Can” at Arizona Broadway Theatre! I was just as shocked as when I was nominated last year for Millie at Hale Theatre! Both Millie and Elle Woods have been dream roles of mine for years now and I am just so thrilled that two of my favorite roles have been recognized by the Zoni’s last year and now this year! Both of those shows hold such a special place in my heart because of the theatres I performed them at, and the cast mates and creative teams that made it all possible!!

It was such a wonderful welcome to Arizona to be acknowledged as Best Actress for Millie last year, and I am just as grateful to be nominated for Best Actress again this year! Congrats to all the other theatres and nominees this year! Let’s go AriZoni’s 2018!!"

Shelby Daeffler (with Aaron Blanco) in Hale Centre Theatre's The Importance of Being Earnest
photo by Nick Woodward-Shaw

Shelby Daeffler
Actress in a Major Role- Play - Hale Centre Theatre - The Importance of Being Earnest

Actress in a Major Role- Musical - Mesa Encore Theatre - Disney's Beauty and the Beast

"I have never been nominated for a Zoni before now, so to receive two, let alone one, was truly unanticipated! I was actually in public on a belated birthday-date when I found out, but I was alone at the moment waiting for my boyfriend to return so I had to keep my celebration momentarily contained (as best I could, at least) until I could share with him. But for those minutes that felt like hours, I was very much fighting to hide the fact that my heart had fluttered up to my throat to do a little celebration dance of its own. With a sudden influx of notifications, the news came from dear friends, which is all the more appropriate because it was dear friends, old and new, who helped bring magic to these show-experiences. I found out about each nomination in what I assume was real-time as they were announced, because I heard about one, which was news enough for me, and shortly after, still reeling, about the other…I believe it was at this point that I finally had to take a seat somewhere… With every update came more shock, gratitude, and delight, and even more blushing to my face, I’m sure. I never expected, though hoped, to receive a nomination in the handful of years I’ve been performing in Arizona theatre, but to have the immense love, time, and effort put into my craft and into the shaping of the experiences that I so deeply value recognized in such a way is a feeling I will always cherish. I could never possibly hope to articulate all the ways these shows have been important to me both as an artist and human, and I am utterly amazed and thankful that someone else apparently seems to like them too."

Allan Dewitt
Actor in a Major Role- Play - Hale Centre Theatre - Kiss and Tell

"When I heard the news that I had made it, I was back at my apartment after a day of doing shows and was EXHAUSTED. I was watching the live stream and was particularly stressful about this one. I didn’t have much of a chance to do any shows in Arizona because I moved recently to Utah so I only had one or two shows under my belt for these nominations. Although because I had been nominated before, I felt like I had a chance with one show in particular. I actually SCREAMED in my apartment when I heard my nomination. It was so loud my roommates were running in asking if I was okay! Grateful to be a part of this amazing awards ceremony once again!"

Rob Dominguez
Actor in a Supporting Role, Adult Musical - MCC PAC Musical Productions -  How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

"I was relaxing on the couch, as one does after a long day's work. I knew the Zoni readings were happening soon, but I had forgotten that it was happening that particular night. I received a message from my buddy Brett saying "Congrats on your Zoni nomination!". I was very excited, because I really loved playing Bud Frump in MCC's "How To Succeed..." and also because I've never been nominated before. But while I was excited to be nominated, I tried not to be too outwardly excited, as my very pregnant (re: emotional) wife contributed a lot of choreography work this season and I hadn't seen the whole list, I had only heard about mine. When we found out she was also nominated for choreographing the same show, I was finally able to jump up and down without fear of repercussion. Obviously no one is doing community theatre just to be nominated for awards, but it is very nice to receive external validation for your art. We are both very grateful. The only downside to the whole thing, is now I can't keep putting "Zero-time AriZoni Nominee Rob Dominguez" in my show bios anymore. "

Kay Gray
Hair and Make-Up Design, Grand Canyon Ethington's Theatre - The Good Doctor

"My husband sent me the link to the nomination list yesterday while I was at my new job.  I was excited and posted as soon as my work day was done! This is my 7th nomination. I have won four times and each time is as nerve wracking as the one before! It is a fun experience and it is awesome to hear you name called if you win! But truly, as corny as it sounds, it is an honor to be nominated and I am happy to be a part of this experience!!!"

Samantha Hanna (center) and the cast of Stray Cat Theatre's Kiss
photo by John Groseclose

Samantha Hanna
Actress in a Supporting Role- Play - Stray Cat Theatre - Kiss

"Acting is my happy place, a place where I can let go, create, impact others, and grow each and every experience. It holds a very special place in my heart so I don’t take anything for granted when it comes to this field and being nominated for the third year in a row for the AriZoni’s has truly been so meaningful to me and one I am nothing but thankful for. Each time I had found out about my nomination I was around one of my family members, which always makes it special because they are supportive of my craft and always happy to hear my achievements. I was lucky enough my first year in 2016 to win Best Actress in a Major Role for Three Sisters. It is an honor to be nominated again especially for Kiss with Stray Cat Theatre because the show meant a great deal to me as an artist for the message it held. I’m grateful to Stray Cat for allowing me into their playground and to Ron May for pushing me and allowing me to grow and learn. I’m grateful to the AriZoni’s for taking time to recognize all the incredible talent Arizona has to offer in the theatre world and bringing us together to celebrate a craft that is to most of us, what we live and breathe for."

Antonio Hernandez
Scenic Design, Play, ASU School of Film, Theatre and Dance - Six Stories Tall (with Robert Andrews)

"I had just gotten home from work, right before the nominations were going to be read. I had planned on watching the live feed of it from my home since I have never seen it before and thought it would be interesting.

It was 5 til and I decided to close my eyes for a minute before it starts. I ended up waking up an hour and a half later to see a text from Robert, my co-designer, saying we've been nominated for Scenic Design. I was so confused and thought he was yanking my chain. So I go online to do some investigating and I see him posting about our nomination. So I que up the video of the nomination reading because I needed solid proof. Lo and behold we are the first category and our name was called. I was in shock, still in shock actually. This is my first time being nominated and it was the last thing I was expecting. Then I find out The Compass, was nominated for Best Overall Production. I  was even more shocked now because the two productions that I was the Scenic Designer for ASU are both being nominated for awards."

Shandi Ilyse
Actress in a Supporting Role- Play - TheaterWorks - A Christmas Carol

"I was curled up on the couch watching my favorite scandalous period piece, Harlots, when my best friend and local Arizona actress, Clara Bentz, texted me to let me know that I was nominated. This is my first time being nominated for any performance I've done, and my response was honestly complete and utter shock. I might have responded to Clara's text and called her a liar. I didn't fully believer her until I found the list of nominations online, and I am still pretty humbled and speechless to be considered nearly a week since. "

Ashley Jackson
Actress in a Supporting Role- Musical - Hale Centre Theatre - Big Fish

"There are absolutely no words that can describe the feeling I had when I heard my name called
as a nominee for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. This year I watched the nomination
reading online while on the phone with my parents who reside in Detroit, MI. My reaction
when I heard my name was a pause (wondering if I really heard my name) and then a scream of
excitement!! My parents where just as excited and told me how proud they were of me.  This is my first nomination for an AriZoni Award. Being nominated for this role means so much to me. Around this time last year I reentered the musical world with excitement, determination, and some fears. Playing The Witch in Big Fish was beyond life changing for me as she taught me
the strength in facing my fears. It is an honor to be recognized for my work and I am truly grateful for this moment in time.

'The ones who face their fears lead the most interesting lives' - The Witch

Kelli James in TheaterWorks' Gypsy
photo by John Groseclose

Kelli James
Guest Actor - TheaterWorks - Gypsy

"I was in Iowa directing a Broadway Advantage intensive and concert when I read about my Zoni nomination. I was sitting on my bed in my childhood bedroom at my Parent's house. This is the room where I did all my dreaming, listening to Broadway recordings and taking bows to an imaginary audience. It seemed like a perfect full circle moment to me as I gazed out that same little window wondering about my future in the arts. When I moved to Arizona 16 years ago I wasn't certain I would ever do theatre again but I have been fortunate to do five shows and have been nominated for them all, including Beauty and The Beast, Follies, Les Miserables and now Gypsy. I won best director for Les Mis and that was another perfect full circle moment for me, having done the Broadway production. I also one for choreography for You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. I have never won as an actress but that doesn't seem to matter. It's about the recognition and the work, it always has been for 43 glorious years. I'm grateful and overjoyed to be considered part of such an elite group of actors in this category. I have so much respect for all of them. The Gypsy nomination was especially sweet considering it was a dream role for me and I prayed I would do the role of Rose justice. Thank you Zoni Awards for this honor!"

Carrie Ellen Jones, left (with Bella Tindall)
in Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre's Agatha Christie Verdict
photo by Renee Ashlock

Carrie Ellen Jones
Actress in a Major Role, Adult Play - Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre - Agatha Christie Verdict

When the Zoni nominations were being read, I was just busy being mom!

After getting kids off to bed I snuck off to run errands ALONE! As I left the post office around 9:00pm (Bless the person who invented those 24 hour kiosks!!) I got a Messenger ding from Peter Cunniff, my Verdict cast mate, congratulating me on my Zoni nomination...

I didn't really know how audiences would perceive Agatha Christie's Lisa or my attempts to portray her layers so it was extra surprising and exciting.

The goal for me, as an actor, will forever be to tell a great story, create an escape and/or challenge a person's heart. It probably sounds cheesy, but it's true. The privilege of being cast in these endeavors is always a win for me. Having my work honored by a group of my peers??  -- well that is a majorly flattering extra bonus!

This is my fifth individual Zoni nomination.  Heidi Carpenter, whom many AZ theatre people (including me!) know and love, once tagged me the Susan Lucci of the ariZonis, but, if it's all the same ya'll, I'd like to hold off on that as an official moniker until like number 12, okay??

 In all seriousness, I have been fortunate to work with several winners and nominees in this female category over the past several years and knowing the caliber of their work adds to the honor of any nomination - plaque or no plaque! See you September 17th!

Tina Khalil
Choreography - TheaterWorks - Seussical

""I had just gotten home from work and turned on Facebook Live.  They were reading a category or two before mine.  Then I heard my name. I was very excited to have been nominated along side our director Brett Aiken. We both worked very hard on creating a fun and exciting show together.   We both decided we were going to be at every rehearsal together -whether it was blocking or choreography.  We wanted our show to flow and not have beginnings or endings of numbers and scenes.   Seussical has always been one of my favorite shows.When I had played Mayzie years ago, Brett was the technical director at MET at that time.  So it was awesome to work with Brett on this show again.  This is my first choreography nomination.  I usually only choreograph summer camps for MBL and Co. This upcoming summer will be my 20th year with them. After some convincing from Brett and his wife, Emily,  I decided to take on the challenge and choreograph these talented adults and kids.   I have also been nominated for two straight plays (Schmulnik's Waltz with Arizona Jewish Theatre Company and Lend Me a Tenor with Hale Center Theatre) and one musical (Bye Bye Birdie with Mesa Encore Theatre).  Nope...never won!  But that doesn't matter to me.  Just being recognized is awesome enough. "

Drew MacCallum

Youth Actress In A Major Role, Play - Limelight Performing Arts - The Sparrow

"I was actually in my living room and my friend Gillian Elliot called, saying I was nominated and congratulated me! I was completely floored to have been included in this huge thing people have been talking to me about for so long. This is my first nomination for a Zoni, and to have been nominated for Emily Book in the Sparrow was just incredible as that role is very close to my heart. I just won my first NYA for this role as well and I'm still in absolute shock to be recognized for simply doing what I love, and beyond excited to see what happens!"


Grace Napoletano
Actress in a Supporting Role- Youth Musical - Desert Foothills Youth Theater - The Addams Family

"I had just finished a long week and weekend of technical rehearsals for Tuck Everlasting, the show I was in and I got home and me and my mom decided to put up my curtains in my room that we had been putting off and while that was happening I realized that the Zonis were being announced so I went on the live stream to try and find my category and I had missed it so I essentially had to wait until the entire live stream was finished to rewind and find my category!! This is my first time being nominated for a Zoni and I am incredibly overjoyed. When I went back on the video and found out me and my mom just did a little party dance around my room and then finished putting up the curtains in my bedroom. Now I have a better memory of putting up my curtains other than me and my poor mother trying to figure out how to use a power drill."

CJ O'Hara
Musical Direction - Mesa Encore Theatre -  Disney's Beauty and the Beast
& Zao Theatre -  Ragtime, The Musical

"My fiancee and I were attending the Zoni readings at Phoenix Theatre when we heard I had been nominated for musical direction for Beauty and the Beast and Ragtime. I was very excited and also quite elated that all the hard work put into the show was being recognized. I love Beauty and the Beast and it was a show I take great pride in musically. As for Ragtime, I had waited 20 years to musically direct the show and I am honored that I got nominated. "


Paul Pedersen
Director, Youth Play - TheaterWorks' Youth Works - The Little Prince
Director, Youth Musical - TheaterWorks' Youth Works -Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Choreographer, Youth Musical - TheaterWorks' Youth Works - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

"Thanks to travel associated with my fulltime career, this is the 2nd year in a row that I have been out out town for the reading of the nominiations. That being said, I was in a hotel room in Parssipany, NJ watching T.A. & Thea reading the nominees over Facebook Live when I heard my name called on Monday evening.

Although I have yet to win a coveted Zoni award, this year I received my 9th, 10th, and 11th nominations and two of them are particularly special to me. The two I'm referring to are my first two nominations in the Director category. The first is for "The Little Prince" at Theater Works. I've loved this story for many years and this show was not only my directorial debut, but also a true passion project for me. The 2nd is a shared nomination with my better half, Chris Hamby for our direction of "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Theater Works. This is another show that is close to my heart and the fact that I got to direct it with my favorite guy, makes the nomination that much more meaningful.

While I don't think anyone should ever rely on nominations or awards to qualify their art, it is always an honor and a joy to have my work recognized alongside so many talented individuals from our community."

Kathleen Richards
Actress in a Supporting Role, Musical - Mesa Encore Theatre - Beauty and the Beast

"I’m new(ish) to AZ. We moved to Gilbert during the summer of 2016 from Maryland. I was at rehearsal for Scarlet Pimpernel at Hale Center Theatre when my husband texted me to tell me. I’ve worked in various levels of theater for over 20 years — and I’ve never been nominated for an award. I’m floored, flattered and thrilled to get this nomination. And especially for a role that was so near and dear to my heart!! Mesa Encore Theatre opened the door for me to return to performing after a long hiatus. And I’m so grateful to have tackled this show with them and this cast. And I’m so thankful for this recognition!"

Anson Romney
Actor in a Major Role, Youth Play - Spotlight Youth Theatre - Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

"When I first learned about my Zoni Nomination, I was sitting in a car with my girlfriend listening to the live stream of the readings on Facebook. It was shocking but really cool when I heard my name read. I dont want awards to dictate my love for creating art, but getting recognized for all the hard work I put in to portraying Romeo was very cool. This is my first nomination, and I made it a goal at the beginning of this season to get a Zoni nomination. I'm very excited that I attained my goal! It's all thanks to my amazing parents, mentors, friends, cast members, and directors!"

Patrick Russo in Fountain Hills Theater's Fools
photo by Carly Weekley

Patrick Russo
Actor in a Major Role- Play - Fountain Hills Theater - Fools

"I was in Frys buying supplies to make a birthday cake for one of my employees when Chad Campbell texted me with congratulations on my nomination for Fools.  Being the first non musical I have ever done, I was really surprised.  It's such an honor to be recognized for the work we do.  I have to be honest, I had a hard time with this role.  I asked the director to replace me twice.  But since the Director, Michael Wallot, had faith in me once we had an audience I fell into the character and really enjoyed doing the show.  I have been nominated in the past for my roles as Carmen Gia in The Producers, Not Dead Fred in Spamalot and won a Zoni for my role as Zaza in La Cage Aux Folles, all at Fountain Hills Theater.  I would like to thank the Zoni board for this nomination."

Diane Senffner
Artistic Specialization - Stray Cat Theatre - Hand to God 

I was at rehearsal for Zao Theater's Elephant Man and Sharon Shaffer was reading off nominations for Zao's Ragtime.  I really wasn't interested because dialect coaches have only been nominated once before in all the years there has been a category for it - which includes a hodge-podge of other unrelated things - like this year, puppeteering.  I retreated to my phone to try not to think about nominations and I saw a message from several folks that I had been nominated for dialect coaching Hand to God at Stray Cat Theatre.  I was truly surprised. Dialect coaching, accent coaching is an odd duck that actually fits into tech AND performance categories, but it's often taken for granted. I am regularly mentioned in reviews for my dialect design and the actor's efforts, have been thanked in Zoni nominations and speeches, but my type of coach is rarely recognized by the theatre community..  The reality is, certain character's whole persona can be built upon the accent and the prosody (stress, rhythm and intonation of speech).  It's wise for a director to have the actor perform the script as the author heard it in his or her head, as therein lies humor, sarcasm, drama and pathos that may be missed without a suitable dialect. Some directors believe that accents are 'distracting' to the audience and audience members complain they can't be understood. What I believe is that audience members don't understand bad dialects and accents and that is the real issue at hand, especially with British accents - Americans are certainly used to hearing them, but lack an understanding of the text when it's performed poorly.  I could not be MORE happy to be recognized for this show or more pleased to have worked with a director and a cast as talented as this one. And I'm pretty sure I'll never watch another Joel Osteen video again as long as I live :) "

Aaron Sheckler
Scenic Design - Stray Cat Theatre - Kiss
Scenic Design - Stray Cat Theatre - Mercury

"I was sitting on my couch, eating cinnamon rolls when I found out about being nominated. I was scrolling through Facebook, while watching an episode of Succession, when I saw my name on the Stray Cat page. These were my first nominations and I couldn't be more thrilled to share them with the whole team at Stray Cat. Kiss and Mercury specifically, were two shows that I had to jump into with hesitation. I had to commit to the text and create two unfamiliar worlds that the audience could relate to, without giving away too much of the story. Very few companies come along that challenge you like that. "

Natalie Shields
Actress in a Supporting Role - Grand Canyon University's Ethington Theatre - Tartuffe

"I recently graduated from GCU and moved across the country to work for Disney in Orlando, so I didn’t have any idea when the Zoni nominations came out! I got a message from a friend asking if I was going to fly back for the ceremony, but I wasn’t able to. When I asked who was nominated, he just sent the list - and I was so happy to see all of my friends nominated that I read over my name without reacting! I had already scrolled down when I said, “Wait a minute...” and saw that my name was on the list of nominees for Supporting Actress! Moliere’s Tartuffe at GCU was such an extraordinary project, like nothing I had ever been a part of before. The entire show was designed by students and they created some of the most visually stunning work I’ve ever seen. Being a part of that cast was beyond incredible, and I don’t need a Zoni to tell me the experience was once in a lifetime. Of course, a Zoni would be nice too!"

Annabelle Skala (right) with Jordan Sagy and Samantha Timothy in Limelight Performing Arts' Sideshow
photo by Rob Padjen

Annabelle Skala
Actress in a Major Role- Youth Musical - Limelight Performing Arts - Sideshow

"This is the first Zoni I’ve ever been nominated for. In fact, before last I had never been in a show that was adjudicated at all. So I was so so so excited to hear my name! I was on face time with my mom, who was screaming so I had to tell her the rest of the category’s nominees (haha)
I almost didn’t audition for Side Show, but after I listened to the music I fell in love with the soundtrack and with the story. I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to play Daisy. It’s an unusual role that not many people get the opportunity to attempt. I worked the hardest I’d ever worked for this role, and to see it all pay off is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. (Shoutout to my “twin” Sam, who made this role so fun to learn and play!) "

Harmon Swartz
Actor in a Major Role- Play - Don Bluth Front Row Theatre - It's A Wonderful Life

"So, this is my second nomination... I was nominated for Gomez (in Addams Family) before... I have to admit... It was, IS quite flattering. In theater or any performance there is always the element of self doubt. You question your performance, your expression, you critique your work, missed lines, missed inflection.... But then.... You get the response... The "thank you, you were wonderful" comments... You hear the audience respond to your moments, the pauses... You feel the weight in the room... And you know... This is why we do this... To change a moment in someone's life... To move people.... To be nominated, recognized for THAT, by your peers, and your audience...  that is the reward."

Tiana Torrilhon
Scenic Design - Youth - TheaterWorks’ YouthWorks - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

"I was finishing up a long day of work for Camelback Resorts on a remodeling job when the messages and social media tags about my Zoni nomination this year started to roll in. It was a welcome surprise after a big work day! Personally, I feel that one of the most important parts of theatre is the sense of community and our desire to support one another. This is what the Zoni’s represent to me; a strong theatre community coming together once a year to recognize how hard we all work for our craft. To be included in their list of nominees is beyond flattering as I find myself nominated amongst some very talented colleagues. I’ve received nominations twice before, though it was years ago before my time in LA; I received a nom for my work on Southwest Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor” (2008) and was also nominated for my very first set design ever: "The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh”(2003)  with Fountain Hills Youth Theatre. Getting a nomination this year is the best welcome-back into the AZ theatre fam that I could think of!"

Michael Wallot
Director of a Play - Fountain Hills Theatre - Fools

"I had planned to go to the nomination ceremony but couldn’t make it last minute. I got a Facebook message on my phone from my producer congratulating me on my nomination. I responded to her “for what?!” I quickly discovered it was for directing FOOLS at Fountain Hills Theater. I was shocked!  I have been a director for over 25 years and have worked all over the country. When I moved to the Valley 2 years ago, I sent out my resume to many theaters. A few responded “no thanks, we use the same directors all the time.” Most never responded. So I decided to audition for a couple of shows and get to know the producers. Peter J. Hill at FHT cast me in Chicago, and soon after asked me to direct FOOLS. So this is my first time directing in AZ, and I was thrilled to be nominated for directing this odd little Neil Simon piece. Comedy directors often get overlooked for more dramatic works. I’ve directed hundreds of shows, and won numerous awards in other cities, but this ariZoni nomination means so much to me! Now somebody HIRE ME, I’m an ariZoni nominee!"

Kayleah Wilson
Actress in a Major Role- Youth Musical - Actor's Youth Theatre - Anything Goes

"I actually heard about my nomination from a friend. I was at home and she sent me a message congratulating me, and I was kind of confused for a second. I had never been nominated let alone considered for the Zonis, so I found a list of the nominees and I’m pretty sure I read it like 13 times before actually believing my name was on it. This is my first ZONI nomination for my personal hard work, and it is all kinds of exciting, terrifying, rewarding, and humbling. I had to learn how to tap dance from scratch for this role, and most people don’t even realize how much work I had to put into the character and the dancing  behind the scenes, so even being a nominee means so much to me; the fact that people do see my hard work paying off and appreciating what we do on the stage. It’s what I love to do, and I am so honored to see other people enjoying it as well."

Elyse Wolf (right) with Louis Farber in Stray Cat Theatre's / Phoenix Theatre's Hand to God
photo by John Groseclose

Elyse Wolf
Guest Actor - Stray Cat Theatre -  Hand To God

"When I found out about my Zoni nomination I was where I usually am on a Monday evening, on my couch, vodka martini in hand, bearing witness to the savvy and resourceful detective skills of Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson on Law and Order SVU. That show has always been my old school,  "go to" , guilty pleasure at the end of a stressful work day. The mindless, dulcet tones of Ice-T arresting a child molester gently lulling me into my end of day slumber.......but I digress.

I have been a part of the Arizona theatre community for a few years now, performing mostly at Phoenix Theatre. This year, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Stray Cat Theatre in their Co-Production with PT of Hand to God. I could not be prouder of this production. From the cast, to the designers, to the crew, to the dialect coaching, to the fight choreography and, of course, to our illustrious director Ron May............. this production was a dream!!!!!

I was aware that the Zoni nominations were being announced Monday evening and I was absolutely certain that our little skit would be recognized in some way, but I didn't think that I personally would be recognized as a Guest Equity artist. I didn't know that there would be a category for that.  I started getting kind texts and Facebook messages alerting me of not only my nomination for my performance, but of the numerous other nominations for our production of Hand to God, including Best Overall Production.

Needless to say, I am honored and thrilled to be nominated for a Zoni and even more proud of Hand to God. I am really looking forward to celebrating the evening with my Hand to God family and honoring all of the other Actors, Designers, Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors and Artistic Specialists who have been nominated and continue to produce amazing, challenging, spectacular theatre here in Arizona. Wishing everyone a wonderful Zoni celebration filled with love, laughter and, as one critic in town said I was a magnet for, plenty of 'man pleasures.' Congrats to everyone!"

Olivia Woodward-Shaw in Limelight's The Lion King JR.
photo by Nick Woodward-Shaw

Olivia Woodward-Shaw
Actress in a Supporting Role, Youth Musical - Limelight Performing Arts -  The Lion King, JR.

"Homework is never the most exciting thing ever, I think we can all agree on this. However, on Monday August 6, this turned out not to be the case.  I knew that the AriZoni nominations were being announced that night, and broadcast live on Facebook, so I decided to watch this for fun as I was finishing my homework in my bedroom. Never in a million years would I imagine that I would get nominated this time. When they started to list the names of Supporting Actress in a Youth Musical, I started to listen a little harder, hoping that one of my hardworking friends' names would be read out. As I was packing up my school binders, I heard my own name being announced! I instantly started crying with joy. What an honor! I ran downstairs to tell my family, and they were excited and surprised too. I am so incredibly grateful to be nominated for a second time and such surprises reinforce the passion I have for performance and theatre. By definition, the nomination meant that someone was moved by the show that we all worked so hard to perfect. I think that's why we all do it!"