Jekyll & Hyde and Angels in America Lead the Pack at the 52nd Jeff Awards

Two theaters tied for the most awards on the evening, each taking home eight honors and sharing the distinction of top production with seven awards apiece. Invictus Theatre Company led all organizations with recognition spanning two productions. Its staging of "Angels in America" emerged as the production of the season, earning seven awards including Production (Play), Ensemble, Director, Performers in Principal and Supporting Roles, and Projection Design. The company's second production, "The House That Will Not Stand," earned a Scenic Design award to round out its remarkable showing.

Kokandy Productions matched that total with eight awards across two musicals. "Jekyll & Hyde" was the company's centerpiece, capturing Production (Musical), Ensemble, Director, Musical Direction, Performer in a Principal and Supporting Role, and Lighting Design — seven awards in all. The production's co-winner in Lighting and Projection Design, G. "Max" Maxin IV, was recognized twice on the evening. Kokandy's second entry, "Amélie," added a Performer in a Principal Role honor for Aurora Penepacker's portrayal of Amélie Poulain.

The New Work category recognized three authors this season. Zach Barr was honored for "The Pilon" at Red Theater, Omer Abbas Salem for "One Party Consent" at First Floor Theater, and Chase Wheaton-Werle for "The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince" at The Factory Theater — a production that also earned an Artistic Specialization award for Properties Design.

In the Short Run category, The Impostors Theatre Co. dominated with four of the six available honors for "Helena & Hermia in the Enamored Odyssey," including Production, Direction, New Work, and Costume Design. The remaining two Short Run performance awards went to Open Space Arts for "Mr. Parker" and "Gangsta Baby."

Performers at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, Story Theatre, and Griffin Theatre were also honored. Terry Guest earned a Principal Role award for "At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen" at The Story Theatre, while Cynthia Marker received the Solo Performer award for "Girls & Boys" at Griffin Theatre Company. Theo Ubique's Jacqueline Grandt was recognized in Supporting Role (Musical) for "Diana: The Musical," and the theater's technical work was honored in Choreography for "Urinetown" and Costume Design for "Diana: The Musical." Additional technical honors went to City Lit Theater Company in association with Black Button Eyes Productions for Sound Design on "Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter," and to The Artistic Home and Idle Muse Theatre Company for Fight Choreography and Wig Design, respectively.

Kendyl Meyer, who has worked with First Floor Theater and Kokandy Productions, was named the second-ever recipient of the Non-Equity Jeff Impresario Award, which honors excellence in stage management. The award is based on nominations from theater companies and was established to recognize the critical behind-the-scenes contributions that bring Chicago productions to life.

The Non-Equity Special Award was presented to Kathy Scambiatterra, an actor, director, theater co-founder, and educator whose work has shaped generations of Chicago artists. Scambiatterra is the Artistic Director and co-founder of The Artistic Home, where for more than two decades she has overseen dozens of productions, festivals, and workshops, acted and directed, and led a training program that has impacted nearly 1,000 students.

The Jeff Awards membership judged opening nights of 102 productions during the 52nd Anniversary season, which ran January 1 through December 31, 2025. Of those, 47 productions earned "Jeff Recommended" status, making them eligible for award nominations. Voting members of the Jeff Awards committee are unaffiliated with any theater companies or producing organizations to ensure the integrity of the awards process.

2025 Non-Equity Jeff Award Recipients

Multiple Nominations

By Company

By Production