Theatre Department celebrates the year’s best performances at Spelvin Awards

Students, faculty, staff and friends gathered on the stage of the Butler Theatre on May 11 to celebrate another year of outstanding theatrical accomplishments.

Since the first ceremony in 1985, the Spelvin Awards have served to not just celebrate the end of the theatre season, but also to acknowledge the success and commitment of theatre staff and students.

Highlights of this year’s ceremony included the Best Actor Award going to Jacob Phillips for his performance in SCAPIN, and Kelsie Harris and Chelsie Penner sharing the Best Actress Award for their performances in CLEOPATRA and ASTRONAUT, respectively.

In addition, the L.W. Nixon Award this year was given to Bernie Wonsetler. The L.W. Nixon award honors those who have given years of service to the Butler Theatre Department.

The full list of winners is below:

Best Actor: Jacob Phillips for SCAPIN
Best Actress: Kelsie Harris for CLEOPATRA & Chelsie Penner for ASTRONAUT
Best Supporting Actor: Sam Downey for SCAPIN
Best Supporting Actress: Chelsie Penner & Khaliyah Registe for CLEOPATRA
Best Cameo Actor: Tyler Joyce, Braden Post, Kaleb Waller for SCAPIN
Best Cameo Actress: Elsie Chastain for WORKING
Best Male Newcomer: Kaleb Waller
Best Female Newcomer: Callan Hammer
Best Technician: Bailey Camien
Best Stage Mangers: Leah Harrison & Jay Pryor for WORKING
Best Running Crew: The Running Crew from WORKING
Greg Bales Award: Bailey Camien
The Bob Peterson Scholarship: Kaleb Waller
L. W. Nixon Award: Bernie Wonsetler

Photo Caption: Instructor Leslie Coates stands at the podium at the Spelvin Awards ceremony on May 11, 2023. (Emily Hernandez)