Wilmington’s theater community celebrates excellence at annual awards

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The best and brightest talents of Wilmington’s vibrant theater scene were honored at the annual Theater Awards held at Thalian Hall on Wednesday night.

The prestigious event recognizes outstanding contributions from actors, directors, designers, and technicians who have made significant impacts on the local theater landscape.

With 21 categories highlighting performers and productions from across Southeastern North Carolina, the awards ceremony showcased the diversity and depth of talent within the region’s theater community. Attendees were treated to captivating snippets of performances that graced stages throughout the year, showcasing the creativity and dedication of the nominees.

Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the “Lela Thompson Award for Enduring Contribution to Wilmington Theater” to Kim Henry. As the co-founder of “Theatre for All,” a theater company providing access to the arts for individuals with disabilities, Henry’s work exemplifies the transformative power of inclusivity in the performing arts.

“It’s just validity and such acknowledgment for the importance of Theatre for All and what we do here. That’s just wonderful,” said Henry. “It’s such an amazing town for theater, and to be finally really acknowledged and validated… I really, really receive this award on behalf of each and every one of my members.”

Another noteworthy moment of the evening was Shane Fernando’s inaugural appearance at the awards show as Thalian Hall’s Chief Executive Officer. Fernando emphasized the significance of the event in celebrating the essence of Thalian Hall and its integral role within the community.

“We’re celebrating the soul of Thalian Hall. It is our community. We’re getting the best and the brightest of our performers, our technicians, and celebrating them tonight. It’s really what makes this place special,” said Fernando.

For a full list of winners, click here.