Omaha, Nebraska — The Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards announced nominees for the 18th Annual OEAAs on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the Benson Theatre. Local playwright Beaufield Berry hosted the evening.
The awards celebrate and recognize visual arts, performing arts, and music performed or exhibited between Sept. 1, 2022, and Aug. 31, 2023.
Voting ballots will be distributed to members of the OEAA Academies on Nov. 1, 2023. Trophy winners will be announced Feb. 18, 2024, at the 18th Annual OEAAs hosted by Maria Corpuz and Cameron Logsdon at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the award show are now available from TicketOmaha.com.
Thanks to the Omaha Hot Shops for contributing new original trophies this year! Thanks also to our sponsors, Megan Hunt, The Fashion Arts Collective and Omaha’s Fashion Guild, media sponsors Omaha Magazine and 1st Sky Omaha, and marketing sponsor Say Hey There.
Interested in individual or corporate sponsorship of the awards? Please let us know by email at oea.awards@gmail.com. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and could not do this without community support from people like you! You can donate through Share Omaha or Venmo.
Live recording of the nominee reveal can be found on Facebook and YouTube.
Attention nominees in Visual Arts: The Roberta & Bob Rogers Gallery (1806 Vinton St.) will again host a OEAA Visual Arts nominee showcase. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. A Second Friday reception will be Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. The showcase will close Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
Delivery of artworks by artists to RBRG will begin Jan. 17 and end Jan. 27. Artwork installation is scheduled for Jan. 29-Feb. 1. Nominees, please contact jrogers@rbrg.org to contribute or with any questions about participation.
Congratulations to all of the nominees! Thank you for your important contributions to arts and culture in the greater Omaha metro.
Nominees to the 18th Annual Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards
SPECIAL HONORS
Lifetime Achievement Award for Visual Arts
Mary Zicafoose
Lifetime Achievement Award for Performing Arts
Valerie Roche
Lifetime Achievement Award for Music
Chip Davis
Cultural Stewardship Award
Joan Squires
VISUAL ARTS
Outstanding Youth Visual Artist
- Sunny McCool
- Ella Jaksha
- Jenevi Shumway
- Ava Manhart
Outstanding Visual Artist
- Josh Powell
- Charles Kay Jr.
- Nick Miller
- Nathaniel Ruleaux
- Shawnequa Linder
- Sarah Rowe
Outstanding Emerging Artist
- Willow Stargirl
- Jada Messick
- Peyton Pearson
- Ramon Guzman
- Nash Bellows
- Anthony Deon Brown
- Dany Reyes
Outstanding New Media
- Charles Kay Jr
- Joe Rohleder
- Travis Apel
- Eve Lanik
- Alex Jacobsen
Outstanding Photographer
- Chris Cosmos
- Buck Christensen
- Greg Brown
- Shawnequa Linder
- Reagan D Pufall
- Shaun Ilahi
- Ni Drehmann
Outstanding 2D Artist
- Nancy Lepo
- Josh Powell
- Ilaamen Pelshaw
- Sarah Rowe
- Katie Temple
- Joe Addison
- Tim Guthrie
Outstanding 3D Artist
- Pamela Conyers-Hinson
- Todd McCollister
- Sarah Hummel Jones
- David Manzanares
- Stephen Kavanaugh
- Nathaniel Ruleaux
- Josh Brown
Outstanding Group Show
- The Ebb and Flow Between Us – Pamela Conyers-Hinson, Celeste Butler, and Patty Talbert – PACE
- A Trip into the Seoul – Studio 62
- Proxy Flesh – curated by Alex Jacobsen – Amplify Arts Generator Space
- Uncovered – Creighton University Kappa Pi Art Honorary, Hot Shops Art Center
- Nouns – Anthony Deon Brown, Shawnequa Linder, and Katie B. Temple – Anderson O’Brien Gallery
- This is Us – curated by Patty Talbert – Hillmer Art Gallery
- Heaven, Hell, and Everything in Between – curated by James Freeman and Susan McGilvrey – Hot Shops Art Center
- Bold – curated by Courtney Porto – Split Gallery
Outstanding Solo Show
- Jada Messick – I Should Probably Find a Therapist – Radial Arts Center
- Reid Doehling – Amidst the Uncertainty – Studio 62
- Nick Miller – To Wake the Mangog – Project Project
- Peyton Pearson – Spring Tides – Project Project
- Charles Kay Jr. – UNSEEN – KANEKO
- Katie B. Temple – Home – Creighton Lied Art Gallery
- Jeff Sedrel – Jeff Sedrel – Garden of the Zodiac
- Stephen Kavanaugh – Look to You – BFF Gallery
Outstanding 2-Person Show
- Illuminance – Nash Bellows & Annie Troe – Artists Co-op Gallery
- Body Defiance – Ang Bennett & Sheree Le’Shawn – Amplify Arts Generator Space
- The Beauty of Color – Pamela Conyers-Hinson & Ilaamen Pelshaw – Amplify Arts Generator Space
- Expiration Date – Jewelya Coffey & Madison Svendgard – Project Project
- Stanky Danky – Dan Crane & Sara Hummel Jones – CAR/GO
- Just Because You Carry it Well Doesn’t Mean it Isn’t Heavy – Patricia Davis & Amanda Durig – Project Project
Outstanding Public Art
- The Peace Mural – Anthony T. Peña & Patty Talbert – Art+Infrastructure
- Tiny House Beasts Mural – Sarah Rowe
- Ralston Recycled Letters Project – Ilaamen Pelshaw (assisted by Eduardo Gardea, Jair Rodriguez, and Arbor Street Studios)
- Voices of Choice – Nebraskans for Abortion Access and BFF
- “Sintonizando Microsmos Fundidos” (Tunin’ Molten Microcosms) – Steelhouse Omaha – Hugo Zamorano
- Joslyn’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program Mural at Methodist Hospital
- Hello Apartments Murals – Dan Crane, Tyler Emery, Sarah Hummel Jones, Betni Kalk, Anthony T. Peña, Sarah Rowe & Weston Thomson – Art+Infrastructure
Outstanding Non-Traditional Format
- Tree Bombing – Celeste Butler – Juneteenth Joy Fest
- Pop-up Porchfest Art Show – Tyler Emery, Anthony Deon Brown, and Stephen Kavanaugh – Gifford Park Community Garden
- Sunday Soul Series – Alajia McKizia
- To See If I Could Go Home: A True History of Paste-Up – Nathaniel Ruleaux – The Union for Contemporary Art
- Eyeknow Immersive – Willow Stargirl – MAMO at Maha Festival
PERFORMING ARTS
Outstanding Musical
- 9 to 5 – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Heathers: The Musical – Iowa Western Community College
- Footloose – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Dreamgirls – Omaha Community Playhouse
- The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- Rent – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Into The Woods – Chanticleer Theater
Outstanding Drama
- Rotterdam – Voices in Alliance
- Dance Nation – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Wit – The Lofte Community Theatre
- The Diary of Anne Frank – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Pretty Fire – Omaha Community Theatre
- The Chinese Lady – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Spider’s Web – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Romeo and Juliet – Old School Shakespeare Omaha
- Fences – Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Comedy
- Significant Other – Voices in Alliance
- Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Suite Surrender – Florentine Players
- Much Ado About Nothing – Old School Shakespeare Omaha
- Noises Off – The Lofte Community Theatre
- The Cemetery Club – Chanticleer Theater
- Doublewide Texas – The Lofte Community Theatre
- The Legend of Georgia McBride – Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding New Local Script
- Popularity Coach – Brian Guehring – The Rose Theater
- 6 Guns Runnin’ – Beaufield Berry – Benson Theatre
- More Than a Number – written by members of the Nebraska State Penitentiary 7th Step Club, adapted by Colleen O’Doherty – Anastasis Theatre Company at Benson Theatre
- Love Is ? – Edie Goodwin – Chanticleer Theater
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Jill Anderson and Ben Beck – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Hotel Cali-Florence – Drew Horstman – Florentine Players
- Practice House – Rachel Carnes – Great Plains Theatre Commons
Outstanding Director, Play
- Randall T. Stevens – Rotterdam – Voices in Alliance
- Sara Scheidies – Suite Surrender – Florentine Players
- Kevin Colbert – Wit – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Jon Flower – Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Joey Hartshorn – Cemetery Club – Chanticleer Theater
- Wai Yim – The Chinese Lady – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Denise Chapman and TammyRa’ – Fences – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Jill Anderson – The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow – BLUEBARN Theatre
Outstanding Director, Musical
- Kathy Tyree – Dreamgirls – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Kevin Colbert – 9 to 5 – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Todd Uhrmacher – Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- Joey Hartshorn – Footloose – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Austyn McKee – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Mary Dickson – Seussical – Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Mackenzie Zielke – Into the Woods – Chanticleer Theater
- Stephen Santa – Little Shop of Horrors – Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Actor, Play
- JJ Davis – The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Florentine Players
- Brock McCullough – Significant Other – Voices in Alliance
- Tammyra’ Jackson – Pretty Fire – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Heather Wilhelm – Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Analisa Swerczek – Rotterdam – Voices in Alliance
- Jennifer Gilg – Wit – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Sara Scheidies – Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Katie Becker Colon – What the Constitution Means to Me – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Ben Webb – Suite Surrender – Florentine Players
- Ang Bennett – Rotterdam – Voices in Alliance
Outstanding Actor, Musical
- Kody Horrocks – 9 to 5 – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Zhomontee Watson – Dreamgirls – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Will Hastreiter – Footloose – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Zoella Sneed – Cinderella – The Rose Theater
- Jack O’Connell – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Drew Firkins – Seussical – Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Torisa Walker – Into the Woods – Chanticleer Theater
- Sara O’Connell – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Thomas Gjere – School of Rock – Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Play
- JJ Davis – Last Stop on Market Street – The Rose Theater
- Daniel Henery-Cavanaugh – Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Olivia Howard – Significant Other – Voices in Alliance
- Nick Lemay – Rotterdam – Voices in Alliance
- Rider Mattheis – Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Roz Parr – Plaza Suite – Chanticleer Theater
- Malik Fortner – Suite Surrender – Florentine Players
- Jimmy Nguyen – The Chinese Lady – BLUEBARN Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Musical
- Nick Knipe – Footloose – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Jon Flower – Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- John Celesky – The Wedding – Singer Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Jay Srygley – Into the Woods – Chanticleer Theater
- Joey Galda – Beauty and the Beast – The Rose Theater
- Sherry Josand Fletcher – A Little Night Music – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Zhomontee Watson – Cinderella – The Rose Theater
- DJ Tyree – Rent – Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Performance Poet
- Trac Schacht
- Jewel Rodgers
- Joe From Long Island
- Noni Williams
- Michelle Troxclair
- Zedeka Poindexter
- Omni Webster
- Allen Stevenson
Outstanding Dance Solo
- Sarah Zembraski – Evergreen Dance Company
- Brooke Claxton – Evergreen Dance Company
- Will Hastreiter – Footloose – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Peyton Banks – Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- Madison Becker – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Grant Peterson Jensen – Beauty and the Beast – The Rose Theater
- Courtney Stein Cairncross – Dance Nation – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Erin Alarcón – Wizard of Oz – American Midwest Ballet
Outstanding Youth Performer
- Sydni Schleidt – Meet me in St Louis – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Lily Sanow – Into the Woods – Chanticleer Theater
- Landon Backhaus – Seussical – Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Judson Cloudt – Popularity Coach – The Rose Theater
- Lily Pope – The Diary of Anne Frank – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Jade Holder – Alice in Wonderland – The Rose Theater
- Kolby Tighe – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Derek Penner – The Lightning Thief – The Rose Theater
- Brinlee Roeder – Godspell – Rave On Productions
Outstanding Comedian
- Lavetti Vegas
- Jeremy Plumb
- Rashod Vaughn
- Rachel Ware
- Doc Jeremy Peterson
- Tyrel Frazier
- Ross Doehling
- Ben Webb
Outstanding Comedy Ensemble
- 3 Comic Mafia
- Nuns at the Bar
- Yer Mom’s Comedy Show
- Big Canvas Comedy
- 1031 Bison
- King Louie
- Just Relax Comedy
- Dad Jokes
Outstanding Lighting Design
- Jacy Rook – Into the Woods – Chanticleer Theater
- Joey Lorincz – Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- Reece McAdams – Seussical – Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Matt Benes – The SpongeBob Musical – The Rose Theater
- Josh Wroblewski – Rent – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Maya Pacana-Bredenkamp – The Chinese Lady – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Mackenzie Krill – 9 to 5 – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Kevin Colbert – Doublewide Texas – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Katherine Villalta – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Florentine Players
- Matt Benes – Beauty and the Beast – The Rose Theater
Outstanding Prop Design
- Devon Denn-Young – Beauty and the Beast – The Rose Theater
- Rebecca Krause – Plaza Suite – Chanticleer Theater
- Jenny Cupak-Carroll – Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Amy Reiner – The Chinese Lady – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Chris Berger and Christa Dunker – Doublewide Texas – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Kaitlin Maher and Sara Scheidies – Suite Surrender – Florentine Players
- Andrew Morgan – Little Shop of Horrors – Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Scenic Design
- Joey Lorincz – Spamalot – Ralston
- Dale Hartshorn – The Cemetery Club – Chanticleer Theater
- Bill Van Deest – The Chinese Lady – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Linda Dabbs – 9 to 5 -The Lofte Community Theatre
- Jeff Stander – Beauty and the Beast – The Rose Theater
- Jeff Garst – Seussical – Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Sarah Rowe – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Tim McMath – The SpongeBob Musical – The Rose Theater
Outstanding Costume Design
- Leah Skorupa-Mezger – Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- Dwayne Ibsen – Pirates of Penzance – Chanticleer Theater
- Zachary Kloppenborg – Beauty and the Beast – The Rose Theater
- Todd Uhrmacher and Ibsen Costume Gallery – A Little Night Music – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Lindsay Pape – Dreamgirls – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Lora Kaup – Spider’s Web – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Angela Benes – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Sherri Geerdes – Stinky Cheeseman – The Rose Theater
- Mary Dickson and Josie Vote – Seussical – Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Kathryn Cover – 9 to 5 – The Lofte Community Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design
- Bill Kirby – Dance Nation – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Lex Novul – Plaza Suite – Chanticleer Theater
- Jon Flower – Girls’ Weekend – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Christy Hernandez – The SpongeBob Musical – The Rose Theater
- John Gibilisco/Tim Burkhart – Rent – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Joe Mokrycki – A Little Night Music – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Olga Smola – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Aaron Wrigley – Macbeth – UNO Theatre
Outstanding Choreographer
- Ali Darr – Evergreen Dance Company
- Becca Schmucker – 9 to 5 – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Kerri Jo Richardson-Watts – Footloose – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Madison Becker – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Debbie Massey-Schneweis – Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- Kusher Snazzy – AfroVibe Master Concert 2023
- Robin Putnam and Lori Boyle – Pirate of Penzance – Chanticleer Theater
- Mary Dickson – Seussical – Papillion – La Vista Community Theatre
- Sue Gillespie-Valker – The SpongeBob Musical – The Rose Theater
- Melanie Epps – Dance Nation – BLUEBARN Theatre
- Aaron Derell – Rent – Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Music Direction
- David Galant – Into the Woods – Chanticleer Theater
- Benji Pettiford – 9 to 5 – The Lofte Community Theatre
- Laureen Pickle – A Little Night Music – Bellevue Little Theatre
- Chris Ebke – Spamalot – Ralston Community Theatre
- Justin Payne – Dreamgirls – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Ryan Pochop – The Wedding Singer – Elkhorn Community Theatre
- Matthew McGuigan – Godspell – Rave on Productions
- Jim Boggess – Rent – Omaha Community Playhouse
- Jerry Brabec – Beauty and the Beast – The Rose Theater
Outstanding Dance Production
- Eve – Evergreen Dance Company
- The Wizard of Oz – American Midwest Ballet Company
- Pavement – tbd. dance collective
- Afro Vibe Master Concert – Kusher Snazzy
- Vive Paris! – Creighton Dance Company
- Spring Showcase – The Moving Company (UNO)
- Nutcracker Delights – Ever After Productions
- Filament – Vōx Dance Collective
- African Culture Connection
MUSIC
Outstanding Youth Musicians
- UN-T.I.L. (Omaha Girls Rock)
- School of Rock House Band
- Vertigo (Blues Ed)
- Us and Them Blues Band (Blues Ed)
- The Redwoods (Blues Ed)
- Blue Sunday (Blues Ed)
- Old Man Jenkins
- Frontier Strings (Omaha Conservatory of Music)
Outstanding New Artist
- Gravestone
- Wyldra
- Cowgirl Eastern
- Josh Audiss
- Jay-Boi Robinson
- Bug Heaven
- Ex Lover
- Beachmont
- Trees with Eyes
- Brikwondo
Outstanding Rock
- Public Figure
- Alyeska
- Feel Good
- Gallivant
- Garst
- Names Without Numbers
- The Real Zebos
- Wake Sessions
Outstanding Hard Rock
- Evandale
- Lucida Dark
- Beast Eagle
- Arson City
- The Impulsive
- Before We Die
Outstanding Punk
- RAF
- Stronghold
- Cordial Spew
- BIB
- Las Cruxes
- Bad Bad Men
- The Scabby Ghouls
- Graveyard Smash
- Cat Piss
Outstanding Metal
- Tale Untold
- Catsclaw
- Keeper of Innsmouth
- No Loss No Regrets
- The Clincher
- Wretchgod
Outstanding Pop
- Nugz
- Mad Darling
- Sand
- Levee
- Faith Freeman
- Jocelyn
- Grace Titus
Outstanding Alt/Indie
- Ione
- Bad Self Portraits
- BB Sledge
- Ebba Rose
- Twin Pages
- Saltwater Sanctuary
- Dear Neighbor
- Glow
Outstanding DJ
- Doc
- G3
- Surreal the MC
- Crabrangucci
- Angie Spence
- Shor-T
- Scottie Pigeon
Outstanding Americana /Folk
- Matt Cox
- VVilloughby
- Wrymwood
- Scott Severin and Stateleigh Holmes
- Jeremy Mercy and the Rapture Orphans
- The Wildwoods
- Bedrock
- Daniel and the Deliverance
Outstanding Country
- Daniel C. & The Hometown Heroes
- Kaylyn Sahs
- Nick Rucker
- Sack of Lions
- Pony Creek
- Cooper James
- Chad Lee
- Owen Justice
Outstanding R&B
- Enjoli and Timeless
- Jus.B
- Tylynn
- E-Rawq
- Big Wade and the Black Swan Theory
- Mesonjixx
Outstanding Soul
- Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal
- Jaguar James
- Vibe Check
- Andrew Bailie
- Wakanda One
- Kevin McClure
- Emily Bass
Outstanding Hip-Hop
- Taebo Tha Truth
- Jay Influential
- M34n Str33t
- C10
- Snake Lucci
- Lite Pole
- Sleep Sinatra
Outstanding Blues
- Rex Granite Band ft. Sarah Benck
- Big Daddy Caleb and the Chargers
- Hector Anchondo
- Blue House with the Rent to Own Horns
- Stan and the Chain Gang
- Swampboy Blues Band
- Kris Lager
Outstanding Jazz
- Fission
- Chad Stoner
- Mitch Towne
- Kyle Jessen
- Ed Archibald
- NOMA House Band
Outstanding Prog Rock/ Experimental
- Fontenelle
- Glow in the Dark
- Flux Amuck
- Plack Blague
- Jeff in Leather
- Specter Poetics
- Solid Goldberg
Outstanding World
- Edem
- Rhythm Collective
- Kusher Snazzy
- Omaha Beat Brigade
- Omkara
- Mariachi Zapata Omaha
- Alexis Arai
- Omaha Street Percussion
Outstanding Cover Band
- Simplicated
- Secret Weapon
- The Radio Eclectic
- Damones
- Lemon Fresh Day
- Chop Suey
- Fountains of Dane
- Parfait
Outstanding Recording Studio
- Make Believe
- Rainbow
- ARC Studios
- Scribble Den
- Full Assault Studios
- The Lab
- Hz Productions
Outstanding Sound Engineer
- Charlie Ames
- Randon Foland
- Jay Wilcher
- Jim Schroeder
- Braden Larsen
- Ben Stratton
- Corey Korth
- Marina Max
Album of the Year
- Nugz, “All love is War”
- RAF, “No Salvation”
- Josh Audiss, “Skeletons Devils and Flowers”
- Glow in the Dark, “Teen Line”
- AYGAMG, “Don’t Let the Music Fool You”
- Ebba Rose, “Ebbs and Flows”
- Garst, “Garst”
- Feel Good, “Bluebird”
- Faith Freeman, “Closure”
- Bad Bad Men, “Messed Up”
- Bel Canto Duo, “Angel’s Share”
- Matt Whipkey, “Gummi Soul: Another Rubber”
- Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, “Green Light”
Artist of the Year
- Enjoli & Timeless
- Ebba Rose
- Andrea Von Kampen
- Ione
- Garst
- Mitch Towne
- Plack Blague
- King Iso
- Big Wade and the Black Swan Theory
- Kris Lager and the Assembly of Assassins