UNCSA alumni are nominated for 2026 Helen Hayes Awards in Washington, D.C.
Several alumni of the schools of Design and Production (D&P) and Drama at UNCSA have been nominated for Helen Hayes Awards, Washington, D.C.’s equivalent of New York’s Tony Awards for outstanding theater. The nominations were announced Monday, Feb. 23, at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Drama alumnus Ro Boddie as Martin in Ford's Theatre production of "The American Five" / Photo: Scott Suchman
UNCSA alumni nominated this year include:
- D&P alumnus Nadir Bey (B.F.A. ’20) is nominated in the outstanding set design, Hayes category for “cullud wattah” at Mosaic Theater Company and in the outstanding set design, Helen category for “American Fast” at Theater Alliance. Bey was previously nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards including outstanding set design for “The Chosen” at 1st Stage in 2023 and “The Rainmaker” at 1st Stage in 2022.
- Drama alumnus Ro Boddie (High School ’05; B.F.A. ’09) is nominated in the outstanding lead performer, Hayes category for “The American Five” at Ford’s Theatre. Boddie previously won a Helen Hayes Award in 2015, receiving the Robert Prosky Award for outstanding lead actor in a play, Helen category for “Seven Guitars.”
- Drama alumnus David Gow (B.F.A. ’16) is nominated in the outstanding lead performer, Hayes category for “The Inheritance Parts One and Two” at Round House Theatre.
- Drama alumnus Stephen Kime (B.F.A. ’17) is nominated in the outstanding supporting performer in a play, Helen category for “The Margriad” at Avant Bard Theatre.
- D&P alumnus Justin Schmitz (M.F.A. ’15) is nominated in the outstanding sound design, Helen category for “hang” at 1st Stage. He has been nominated twice for Helen Hayes Awards, for sound design of “I Call My Brothers” at Forum Theatre and “The Wild Party” at Constellation Theatre Company.
The Helen Hayes Awards are presented by Theatre Washington and honor achievement across the Washington metropolitan theater community. The 42nd Helen Hayes Awards will be presented Monday, May 18, at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
Information in this release reflects what could be obtained by press time and will be updated online if additional information is made available.
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February 24, 2026