TDPS in the 2026 Helen Hayes Award Nominations

February 25, 2026 College of Arts and Humanities | School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies

A theatrical stage set depicting a domestic scene with five actors in various poses. The stage is dimly lit with overhead blue and amber lights. On the left, an actor stands near a bathtub, gesturing outward. In the center, two actors stand near a door and a kitchen area, respectively. On the right, two more actors are positioned near a sofa and a bed. The set includes furniture like sofas, a table, and a bed, creating a home-like atmosphere. Exposed piping and hanging lights add to the visual complexity of

Congrats to the TDPS alumni, faculty and student nominees!

Alumni, faculty and guest artists from the University of Maryland’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) have been nominated for 2026 Helen Hayes Awards. Named for actor Helen Hayes, a D.C. native and legendary “First Lady of the American Theater,” the awards recognize phenomenal work in the theater scene of D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Nominations are designated with “Helen” or “Hayes” depending on the number of members of the Actors’ Equity Association involved in the production.

The Helen Hayes Award celebration will take place on Monday, May 18, at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

TDPS nominees include:

Outstanding Costume Design (Hayes):

Ivania Stack M.F.A. ’09 and assistant professor in costume design - “Fiddler on the Roof” (Signature Theatre) and “Merry Wives” (Shakespeare Theatre Company)

Outstanding Costume Design (Helen):

Frank Labovitz M.F.A. ’10 and TDPS lecturer - “Head Over Heels” (Constellation Theatre Company)

Outstanding Lighting Design (Hayes):

Hailey LaRoe M.F.A. ’28 in theatre design - “cullud wattah” (Mosaic Theater Company)

Outstanding Lighting Design (Helen):

Alberto Segarra M.F.A. ’15 in lighting design - “Furlough's Paradise” (Theater Alliance)

Outstanding Set Design (Hayes):

Dan Conway, professor emeritus in dance/theatre design and production - “Play On!” (Signature Theatre)

Outstanding Set Design (Helen):

August Henney M.F.A. ’25 in theatre design - “So Late into the Night” (Rorschach Theatre)

Outstanding Media/Projection Design (Hayes):

Zavier Augustus Lee Taylor M.F.A. ’22 in media & projection design - “Sleepova” (Olney Theatre Center)

Outstanding Media/Projection Design (Helen):

Hailey LaRoe M.F.A. ’28 in theatre design - “American Fast” (Theater Alliance)
Mark Costello M.F.A. ’18 in theatre design - “Fair Play” (1st Stage)
Luis Garcia M.F.A. ’24 in theatre design - “Furlough's Paradise” (Theater Alliance) and “Professor Woland’s Black Magic Rock Show” (Spooky Action Theater)

Outstanding Choreography in a Play (Hayes):

Casey Kaleba, TDPS adjunct professor - “Rules for Living” (Round House Theatre)

Outstanding Production Theatre for Young Audiences:

“The Snowman and the Snowdog” was a design partner project with Imagination Stage. The design team was made up of TDPS sound & media technologist Sam Crawford, TDPS lecturer Kelly Colburn, M.F.A. ’27 in lighting design Yannick Godts, M.F.A. ’27 in costume design Katie Glenn, and Eric Van Wyk M.F.A. ’07 in theatre design.

Outstanding Production - PLAY, (Hayes):

“The Inheritance: Parts One and Two” (Round House Theatre) - Featuring the work of Frank Labovitz M.F.A. ’10 (Costume Design), TDPS lecturer Kelly Colburn (Projections Design) and Mark Costello M.F.A. ’18 in theatre design (Associate Projections Design).

Photo info: “cullud wattah” (Mosaic Theater Company); lighting design and image provided by Hailey LaRoe.