17th Annual OEAA Nominees Announced!

Omaha, Nebraska — The Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards announced nominees for the 17^th Annual OEAAs on Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Benson Theatre.

The awards celebrate and recognize visual arts, performing arts, and music performed or exhibited between Sept. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022.

Trophy winners will be announced Jan. 29, 2023, at the 17^th Annual OEAAs hosted by the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs.

Thanks to title sponsor Hayes & Associates, LLC; trophy sponsor Bergman Incentives; media sponsors Omaha Magazine, The Reader, and 1st Sky Omaha; and marketing sponsor Say Hey There.

Live recordings of the announcement videos can be found on the Facebook event page for the 17^th Annual OEAA Nominee Reveal and on YouTube.

Congratulations to all of the nominees! Thank you for your important contributions to arts and culture in the greater Omaha metro.

VISUAL ART

Outstanding Group Show

I’ve Been Here Before: Emerging Artists Exhibition (Sophie Newell, Oria Simioni, Evan Stoler, Katie B. Temple, and Joseph Vavak) at Gallery 1516
Dreamscapes (Omaha Artists, Inc.) at Hot Shops Art Center
A Portrait of Medical Humanities: Artwork by Creighton University Students at Hot Shops Art Center
Confluence: Unity Restored After Division (Stephen Azevedo, Bill Hoover, Karen Linder, Kristae Peterson, and Meghan Stevens. Curated by Kristae Peterson) at Gallery 1516
Bear Witness (Ally Karsyn, Daniel Castaneda, Jacqueline Washington, and Jair Rodriguez) at Michael Phipps Gallery

Outstanding Solo Show

Travis Apel: Fiber Position at Little Gallery Blackstone
Bart Vargas at Anderson O’Brien
Sheila Talbitzer: Ludwina Series at MCC Gallery of Art and Design
Rachel Mindrup: Scanxiety at Hot Shops Art Center
Joseph Broghammer: Fatties at Anderson O’Brien
Neil Griess: Roam at Fred Simon Gallery

Outstanding 2-Person Show

How to Feel at Home (Sophie Newell and Cheryl Dyer) at Fred Simon Gallery
And After All of This (Jeff King and Josh Powell) at BFF Gallery
Grounding (Sarah Rowe and Lydia Cheshewalla) at Generator Space
Nerve (Nick Clark and Jess Latch) at Split Gallery
Let’s Be Alone Together (Jill Rizzo and Brian Wetjen) at the JCC

Outstanding Public Art

Black American Community Mural (Barber and South Omaha Mural Project) at 3003 Q St.
Northern Reflections (Rachel Ziegler and Patty Talbert) mural at Millwork Commons
Midco Mural at 1200 N. 11th St. and Drake-Williams Mural at 1800 N. 11th St. (Weston Thomson)
A Given Tree (Rebecca Harrison) mural at 1441 N. 11th St.

Outstanding Presentation in a Non-Traditional Format

Dollhouse (Gayle Rocz, Natalie Hanson, and Matthew Bailey) at Generator Space
Under Bridge Show (Dan Crane and Nick Clark) at 10^th and Jones
Breeze & Bloom (Casey Callahan) at CAR>GO
Historical Romance (Alex Myers) at Reverb

Outstanding New Media Artist

Annika Johnson
David Carney
Alex Myers
Gregory D. Brown
Farah Al Twal
Reagan D Pufall

Outstanding Visual Artist

Travis Apel
Rachel Mindrup
Josh Powell
Joseph Broghammer
Weston Thomson
Patty Talbert

Outstanding Emerging Visual Artist

Lily Ackman
Oria Simonini
Sophie Newell
Evan Stoler
Peyton Pearson
Tyler Emery
Jada Messick

Outstanding 2-D Artist

Neil Griess
Shawnequa Linder
Rachel Mindrup
Josh Powell
Joseph Broghammer
Anthony Deon Brown

Outstanding 3-D Artist

Travis Apel
Matthew Shrader
Adam van Osdel
Peyton Pearson
Todd McCollister
Lee Emma Running

PERFORMING ARTS

Outstanding Performance by Young Actor

Walter Cady as Winthrop, The Music Man, Chanticleer Community Theater
Donovan Carr as Doody, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Stella Clark-Kaczmarek as Jonah, The Giver, Omaha Community Playhouse
Caden Kowal as Linguini, An Honest Man, Florentine Players
Cruz Martinez as Less, Newsies, Papillion LaVista Community Theatre
Song Minor as Aurora, Dreamland, Northwest High School
Ella Reich as Chip, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre
Brinlee Roeder as Charlie Bucket, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Rave On Productions
Lily Sanow as Veruca Salt, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Rave On Productions

Outstanding Sound Design

Charlie Ames, The Rocky Horror Show, Rave On Productions
John Forsman, American Son, Benson Theatre
John Gibilisco, Murder on the Orient Express, Omaha Community Playhouse
Nick Haussler, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Bill Kirby, King Lear, BLUEBARN Theatre
Roxanne Wach, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Lisa Scheve, An Honest Man, Florentine Players

Outstanding Scenic Design

Derek Bonin, Newsies, Papillion LaVista Community Theatre
Linda Dabbs, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
John Forsman, American Son, Benson Theatre
Derek Kowal, I Saw Her Standing There OR The Show Must Go On, Florentine Players
Joey Lorincz, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Joey Lorincz, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Joey Lorincz, A Streetcar Named Desire, Chanticleer Community Theater
Jim Othuse, Murder on the Orient Express, Omaha Community Playhouse
Kate Whitecotton, Ugly Seasonal Sweater Soiree, Rave On Productions

Outstanding Prop Design

Jenny Cupak-Carroll, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Jenny Cupak-Carroll, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Sheila Hansen, Crimes of the Heart, Lofte Community Theatre
Sheila Hansen, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Derek Kowal, An Honest Man, Florentine Players
Madeline McCrae and Roxanne Wach, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Johnnie Richards, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Chanticleer Community Theater
Amy Reiner, King Lear, BLUEBARN Theatre

Outstanding Music Direction

Jim Boggess, Kinky Boots, Omaha Community Playhouse
Chris Ebke, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chanticleer Community Theater
Chris Ebke, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Dr. David Galant, KSO Spectacular, Kanesville Symphony Orchestra
Matt McGuigan, Rock of Ages, Rave On Productions
Jennifer Novak Haar, Bright Star, Omaha Community Playhouse
Benji Pettiford, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Laureen Pickle, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Boston Reid, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre

Outstanding Lighting Design

Darrin Golden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chanticleer Community Theater
Aja Jackson, Kinky Boots, Omaha Community Playhouse
Joey Lorincz, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Joey Lorincz, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Jacy Rook, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Steven Williams, Ernest in Love, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Carol Wisner, Swing, Swing, Swing! American Midwest Ballet
Katherine Villalta, An Honest Man, Florentine Players

Outstanding Costume Design

Angie Benes, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre
Janet Sorensen, Crimes of the Heart, Lofte Community Theatre
Carly Frolio, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Rave On Productions
Sherri Geerdes, Giraffes Can’t Dance, The Rose Theater
Dwayne Ibsen, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chanticleer Community Theater
Lindsay Pape, Kinky Boots, Omaha Community Playhouse
Cecelia Sass, An Honest Man, Florentine Players
Leah Skorupa-Mezger, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Todd Uhrmacher, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre

Outstanding Choreographer

Julian Adair, Bright Star, Omaha Community Playhouse
LaTryce Anderson, The Color Purple, Omaha Community Playhouse
Mary Dickson, Newsies, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
Kimberly Faith Hickman, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Rave On Productions
Debbie Massey-Schneweis, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Chanticleer Community Theater
Debbie Massey-Schneweis, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Debbie Massey-Schneweis, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Lisa Scheve, I Saw Her Standing There OR The Show Must Go On, Florentine Players
Becca Schmucker, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Play)

Matt Allen as Scott Connor, American Son, Benson Theatre
Marcus Benzel as Clown 2, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Justin Blackson as Lt. John Stoakes, American Son, Benson Theatre
Delaney Jackson as Cordelia, King Lear, BLUEBARN Theatre
Ryan Kathman as Kent, King Lear, BLUEBARN Theatre
Myrddin McHugh as Anthony, An Honest Man, Florentine Players
Brennan Thomas as Clown 1, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Nina Washington as Cheryl, Stick Fly, Omaha Community Playhouse

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Musical)

Xavier Carr as Judah, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chanticleer Community Theater
Anna Rebecca Felber as Paulette, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Jon Flower as Nostradamus, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Kody Horrocks as Margot, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Geanna Krajicek as Wanda, I Saw Her Standing There, Florentine Players
Nick LeMay as Sonny, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Cody Merrill as Lumiere, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre
Sara O’Connell as Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre

Outstanding Premiere of a New, Original, Local Script

Christmas at Leon’s by Kevin Colbert, Lofte Community Theatre
The Emperor and The Fool by Wai Yim, BLUEBARN Theatre
The Guadalupes by Noah Diaz, The Great Plains Theatre Commons
I Saw Her Standing There OR The Show Must Go On by Derek Kowal with Tracie Mauk, Eric Green, Shelly Gushard, Florentine Players
Stories: On the Brink by Colleen O’Doherty, Anastasis Theatre Company
Ugly Seasonal Sweater Soiree by Kaitlyn McClincy, Rave On Productions

Outstanding Musical

Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre
Bright Star, Omaha Community Playhouse
The Color Purple, Omaha Community Playhouse
Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chanticleer Community Theater
Kinky Boots, Omaha Community Playhouse
I Saw Her Standing There OR The Show Must Go On, Florentine Players
Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre

Outstanding Local Performance Poet

Ryan Boyland
Hailey C
Nate Foo
Matt Mason
Fernando Antonio Montejano
AJK O’Donnell
Jewel Zuria Rogers
Traci Schacht

Outstanding Local Dance Production

Esther, Evergreen Dance Company
The Nutcracker, American Midwest Ballet
Nutcracker Delights, Ever After Productions
(Re): member, mind, collect, Vox Dance Collective
Swing, Swing, Swing! American Midwest Ballet

Outstanding Drama

American Son, Benson Theatre
God on Trial, Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre
It’s a Wonderful Life, The Rose Theater
King Lear, BLUEBARN Theatre
Steel Magnolias, Florentine Players
Stick Fly, Omaha Community Playhouse
A Streetcar Named Desire, Chanticleer Community Theater
Visiting Mr. Green, Lofte Community Theatre

Outstanding Director (Play)

Julian Adair, Nutcracker Delights
Jill Anderson, King Lear, BLUEBARN Theatre
Sarah Lynn Brown, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Rose Theatre
Anthony Clark-Kaszmarek, Murder on the Orient Express, Omaha Community Playhouse
Kevin Colbert, Savannah Sipping Society, Lofte Community Theatre
Fran Sillau, When We Go Away, Circle Theatre and the Institute for Holocaust Education
Kathy Tyree, American Son, Benson Theatre
Roxanne Wach, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Murphy Scott Wulfgar, God On Trial, Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre

Outstanding Director (Musical)

Kevin Colbert, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Mary Dickson, Newsies, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
Derek Kowal, I Saw Her Standing There OR The Show Must Go On, Florentine Players
Jack O’Connell, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre
Stephen Santa, Kinky Boots, Omaha community Playhouse
Daena Schweiger, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chanticleer Community Theater
Kathy Tyree, The Color Purple, Omaha Community Playhouse
Todd Uhrmacher, Grease, Bellevue Little Theatre
Todd Uhrmacher, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre

Outstanding Comedy Ensemble

Big Canvas
Dad Jokes
Just Relax Comedy
Pandemic! @ the Disco
Yer Mom’s Comedy Show

Outstanding Comedy

An Honest Man, Florentine Players
Death by Design, Bellevue Little Theatre
Irma Vep, Omaha Community Playhouse
Savannah Sipping Society, Lofte Community Theatre
The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Twelfth Night, Old School Shakespeare Omaha

Outstanding Comedian

Carmela Anderson
Brooke Barsell
Brent Bradley
Tyrel Frazier
Cameron Logsdon
Doc Jeremy Peterson
Noe Ramirez
Tyler Walsh
Rachel Ware
Ben Webb

Outstanding Actor (Play)

Thomas Becker as Lear, King Lear, BLUEBARN Theatre
Marcel Daly as George Bailey, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Rose Theatre
Kerri Forrester as Kendra Ellis-Connor, American Son, Benson Theatre
Melissa Holder as Jinx Jenkins, Savannah Sipping Society, Lofte Community Theatre
Seth Maisel as Hercule Poirot, Murder on the Orient Express, Omaha Community Playhouse
Will Muller as Richard Hannay, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Roz Parr as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela, The 39 Steps, Chanticleer Community Theater
Josh Peyton as John McClane, A Very Die Hard Christmas, BLUEBARN Theatre
Cork Ramer as Sir, The Dresser, Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre

Outstanding Actor (Musical)

Emma Kate Brown as Belle, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre
John Celesky as The Beast, Beauty and the Beast, Elkhorn Community Theatre
Drew Firkins as Jack, Newsies, Papillion LaVista Community Theatre
Angela Jenson Frey as Alice, Bright Star, Omaha Community Playhouse
David Frolio as Bobby, I Saw Her Standing There OR The Show Must Go On, Florentine Players
TammyRa’ Jackson as Celie, The Color Purple, Omaha Community Playhouse
Steve Krambeck as Nick Bottom, Something Rotten! Ralston Community Theatre
Chloe Rosman as Sandy, Grease, Bellevue Community Theatre
Olivia Sis as Elle Woods, Legally Blonde, Lofte Community Theatre
Roderick Tilmon as Lola, Kinky Boots, Omaha Community Playhouse

MUSIC

Outstanding New Artist

Faith Freeman
Parfait
Terragram
Wake Sessions
Before We Die
Wretchgod
Fox Paw
Alyeska
Bel Canto Duo
Mumbles

Outstanding Rock

Names without Numbers
Absinthe Allie
Deviant
Midnight Devils
Gallivant
Bliss
Garst
The Real Zebos

Outstanding Hard Rock

Beast Eagle
Lucida Dark
Evandale
Arson City
Before We Die
The Impulsive

Outstanding Punk

BIB
Stronghold
Chasing Chance
Cordial Spew
Scabby Ghouls
Las Cruxes
RAF
The Shidiots
Even Coast
Graveyard Smash

Outstanding Metal

Sovereignty
No Loss No Regrets
High Card Killer
Silence is Madness
The Clincher
The Tale Untold
Molten

Outstanding Pop

NugZ
Mad Darling
SAND
Riké
Facade Queen
Grace Titus
The Rare Candies

Outstanding Alternative/Indie

Ione
Bad Self Portraits
Oquoa
Dear Neighbor
B.B. Sledge
Ebba Rose
Feel Good
Infinite Video

Outstanding DJ

DJ Doc
DJ El Ness
Scottie Pigeon
Crabrangucci
Surreal the MC
Tyrone Storm
Angie Spence
Kethro
DJ Madix
DJ Shor-T

Outstanding Americana/Folk

Matt Cox
VVilloughby
Jeremy Mercy and the Rapture Orphans
Wildwoods
Justin Lamoureux
Bedrock
Over the River
Wyrmwood
Scott Severin

Outstanding Country

Kaylyn Sahs
Finding Dixie
Nick Rucker
Sack of Lions
Pony Creek
Daniel C. and the Hometown Heroes
Owen Justice

Outstanding R&B

Travis the Band
Enjoli & Timeless
Andrew Bailie
Jus.B
The Fey
Vibe Check
Tylynn

Outstanding Soul

Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal
Grace Giebler
Big Wade and the Black Swan Theory
Dani Cleveland
Jaguar James
Wakanda One
Kaija Jeanae

Outstanding Hip-Hop

Taebo Tha Truth
Marcey Yates
Crum
Jay Cee
Jay Influential
M34N STR33T
Verze
Lite Pole
Yadda Man
C10

Outstanding Blues

Blues Agent
Sebastian Lane Band
Big Daddy Caleb and the Chargers
Steve Lovett Blues Band
Diego Danger
Rex Granite Band ft. Sarah Benck
Stan and the Chain Gang
Swampboy Blues Band

Outstanding Jazz

Midwest Coast
Chad Stoner
Fission Quartet
David Hawkins
Matt Wallace
Kyle Jessen
Mitch Towne

Outstanding Progressive Rock/Experimental/EDM

Glow in the Dark
Flux Amuck
Fontenelle
Spector Poetics
Plack Blague
Solid Goldberg
Jeff in Leather
Problems
Digital Leather
Voydblossom

Outstanding World

Edem
Alexis Arai
Rhythm Collective
Kusher Snazzy
Andy Williams and the Nebraska All Stars
Omaha Beat Brigade

Outstanding Cover Band

Simplicated
Secret Weapon
The Radio Eclectic
The Downtown Collective
Damones
Them Uke Boys
Floyd
The Toast
Lemon Fresh Day

Outstanding Recording Studio

Anytime Studios
Make Believe Studios
Silver Street
Coyote Face Recording
ARC
The Scribble Den
Rainbow Recording Studio

Outstanding Sound Engineer

Braden Larsen
Mark Winkelbauer
Ben Stratton
Ian Aeillo
Doug Decker
Charlie Ames
Randen Scott
Anders Rosoy
Dylan Parker

Album of the Year

King ISO, “Get Well Soon”
Hector Anchondo, “Let Loose Those Chains”
Lucida Dark “Of Death of Love”
Little Brazil “Just Leave”
Bad Self Portraits, “Fear of Missing Out”
Digital Leather, “Tales from the King”
Problems, “This is Working Out”
David Nance, “Pulverized and Slightly Peaced”
Daniel C. and the Hometown Heroes, “Volume 2”
Feel Good, “Roots Intertwined”

Artist of the Year

Alexis Arai
King ISO
Lucida Dark
Dereck Higgins
Kaylyn Sahs
Jocelyn
Josh Hoyer
Kris Lager
Hector Anchondo
Mitch Towne