Columbia College Chicago Theatre Dept. Alum Directs 2023 Non-Equity Jeff Awards Show – First Live Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony Since 2019

Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department alum Adrian Abel Azevedo ’15, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Directing program, is directing the Joseph Jefferson Awards‘ 49th Anniversary Non-Equity Awards ceremony – the first live Non-Equity awards show for the Jeff Awards since 2019.

The event takes place Monday, March 27, at Park West nightclub, located at 322 W. Armitage in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The 2023 Non-Equity “Jeff Awards” – Chicago’s top theatre award – honor excellence in Chicago’s non-Equity theatre during the 2021-2022 theatre season which ran from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022 (extended due to the pandemic).

Adrian Abel Azevedo

The list of this year’s Non-Equity “Jeff Award” nominees, announced January 31, 2023, by the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee, includes nominations for alumni, former students, and faculty from Columbia College Chicago in the areas of performance and design — including Azevedo, who is nominated in the category of Director–Musical or Revue for his staging of Kokandy Productions’ Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical.

Other Columbia-connected nominees for 2023 Non-Equity Jeff Awards include:

Maddison Denault

Columbia College alum Maddison Denault ’20, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BFA Program in Musical Theatre Performance, nominated for Performer in a Principal Role–Musical or Revue for Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical.

Tommy Rivera-Vega

Theatre Department faculty member Tommy Rivera-Vega, nominated for Performer in a Principal Role–Short Run Production for Tebas Land.

Bryce Ancil

former Columbia College student Bryce Ancil, nominated for Performer in a Supporting Role–Musical or Revue for She Loves Me.

Marssie Mencotti

Columbia College Chicago Communication Department faculty member Marssie Mencotti, nominated for Performer in a Supporting Role–Play for Hay Fever.

Dakota Hughes

Columbia College alum Dakota Hughes ’15, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BFA Program in Musical Theatre Performancefor Performer in a Supporting Role–Short Run Production for Frankenstreisand.

Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary

Columbia College alum Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary ’10, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Theatre, for Director–Play for Isaac’s Eye.

Kevin Rolfs

Columbia College alum Kevin Rolfs ’17, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Theatre Design, nominated twice in the Scenic Design category, for  Ruined and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Benjamin Carne

Columbia College alum Benjamin Carne ’18, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Design Program, nominated for Lighting Design for Botticelli in the Fire.

Petter Wahlbäck

Columbia College Chicago Music Department alum and faculty member Petter Wahlbäck ’00, MFA ’08, a graduate of the Music Department’s BA Program in Music Composition and MFA Program in Music Composition for the Screen, nominated for Sound Design for The Pavilion.

In addition, Columbia College alumni and faculty members were involved in the ensemble casts and production teams of several productions nominated in the categories of Production and Ensemble. Congratulations to all the nominees!