The nominees for the 34th annual Helen Hayes Awards, which recognizes and celebrates excellence in professional theatre in the metropolitan area, were announced Monday, Feb. 5 in the Helen Hayes Gallery of Washington’s historic National Theatre. The “Hayes” category is for shows with mostly Equity actors; “Helen” is for shows with mostly non-Equity actors. Awards will be presented Monday, May 14.

The Olney Theatre Center (OTC)-Round House Theatre (RHT) collaboration “In the Heights” garnered 10 nominations. OTC itself received six additional nominations, and RHT, a dozen more. In addition, Happenstance had six and Flying V and Forum, one each. In children’s theater, Imagination Stage, five, and Adventure Theatre MTC, two.

Following are the Montgomery County nominees.

Outstanding Choreography in a Musical – Hayes
Marcos Santana “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre
Robert Bowen Smith “Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure” Imagination Stage

Outstanding Choreography in a Play – Helen
Happenstance Theater “Bon Voyage! A Happenstance Escapade” Happenstance Theater
Jonathan Ezra Rubin, Noah Schaefer “Flying V Fights: The Secret History of the Unknown World” Flying V

Outstanding Musical Direction – Hayes
Jon Kalbfleisch “Caroline, Or Change” Round House Theatre

Outstanding Musical Direction – Helen
Karen Hansen “Bon Voyage! A Happenstance Escapade” Happenstance Theater

Outstanding Costume Design – Hayes
Helen Q. Huang “Fickle: A Fancy French Farce” Olney Theatre Center
Kendra Rai “Or,” Round House Theatre

Outstanding Lighting Design – Hayes
Cory Pattak “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre

Outstanding Set Design – Hayes
Paige Hathaway “Or” Round House Theatre
Milagros Ponce de León “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre

Outstanding Sound Design – Helen
Kenny Neal (Sound Designer), Todd Robinson (Composer) “Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook” Adventure Theatre MTC

Outstanding Direction in a Musical – Hayes
Kathryn Chase Bryer “Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure” Imagination Stage
Marcos Santana “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre

Outstanding Direction in a Play – Hayes
Aaron Posner “Or,” Round House Theatre

Outstanding Direction in a Play – Helen
Mark Jaster, Sabrina Mandell “Bon Voyage! A Happenstance Escapade” Happenstance Theater
Amber Paige McGinnis “Dry Land” Forum Theatre

Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical – Hayes
“In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre
“Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure” Imagination Stage

Outstanding Ensemble in a Play – Helen
“Bon Voyage! “A Happenstance Escapade” Happenstance Theater

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical – Hayes
Aaron Bliden “Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure” Imagination Stage
Michael J. Mainwaring “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre
Marquise White “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical – Hayes
Valerie Leonard “My Fair Lady” Olney Theatre Center
Awa Sal Secka “Caroline, Or Change” Round House Theatre
Korinn Walfall “Caroline, Or Change” Round House Theatre

James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play – Hayes
Gregory Linington “Or,” Round House Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play – Hayes
Erin Weaver “Or,” Round House Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Hayes
Robin De Jesús “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre
Kevin McAllister ”Annie” Olney Theatre Center

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Hayes
Brittany Campbell “My Fair Lady” Olney Theatre Center
Rayanne Gonzales “In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre
Nova Y. Payton “Caroline, Or Change” Round House Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Hayes
Holly Twyford “Or,” Round House Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Helen
Sarah Olmsted Thomas “Bon Voyage! A Happenstance Escapade” Happenstance Theater

Outstanding Original Play or Musical Adaptation
Meg Miroshnik “Fickle: A Fancy French Farce” Olney Theatre Center
Karen Zacarías (Book), Deborah Wicks La Puma (Music) “Ella Enchanted” Adventure Theatre MTC

Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical
Happenstance Theater “Bon Voyage! A Happenstance Escapade” Happenstance Theater
Andrew Hinderaker “The Magic Play” Olney Theatre Center

Outstanding Production – Theatre for Young Audiences
“Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook” Adventure Theatre MTC
“Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure” Imagination Stage

Outstanding Production in a Musical – Hayes
“Caroline, Or Change” Round House Theatre
“In the Heights” Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre

Outstanding Production in a Play – Hayes
“Or,” Round House Theatre

Learn more: http://theatrewashington.org/content/nominations-2018-helen-hayes-awards.