Calgary’s theatre scene is about to be recognized in the Betty Mitchell Awards, returning for their 26th year on June 23 at the Jubilee Auditorium.

The annual awards celebrate the finest theatre productions to have been staged in the prior theatre season, and this year companies both large and small are getting recognized.

That recognition, said Betty Mitchell Awards board member Ryan Wesley Gray, is a way that the excellence of Calgary’s theatre scene can be showcased.

“We want to help build and take pride in the local theatre community and highlight those artists and put a spotlight on the innovation, diversity and resilience of the storytelling that’s happening in Calgary’s theatre scene,” Wesley Gray said.

He said this year has seen a number of strong offerings, from multiple nominations for Theatre Calgary and Alberta Theatre Projects, but also from some of the independent companies like Handsome Alice and Verb Theatre.

Theatre Calgary productions received 27 nominations, Handsome Alice received 10, Alberta Theatre Projects received nine, Vertigo Theatre received nine, Forte Musical Theatre received eight, Verb Theatre received seven, Downstage received six, Lunchbox Theatre received six, Ammolite Opera received four, Sage Theatre received four, Calgary Opera received two, and One Yellow Rabbit received one.

Nominations are determined by a committee of 12 different theatre professionals, who must see at least 75 per cent of all of the productions in Calgary during a season—but are more likely to have seen 100 per cent of the 45 eligible shows in 2024–25 season.

“I think the main driving factor of it is the offerings that are coming from each company. When looking at this year’s nominations, we’re seeing a wide variety of different forms of storytelling and different kinds of story that are being told to audiences today that are resonating with them, and have made their lasting impression,” said Wesley Gray.

“We do our utmost to just simply celebrate all those eligible shows and those nominees as well, just because the sheer amount of work and coordination that goes into producing a show is absolutely something to be celebrated.”

Awards recognize excellence in many different theatre companies.

The response from nominees has been positive, with many sharing their nomination on social media said Wesley Gray.

“The arts community in Calgary is a very positive community that really does lift each other up and celebrate each other. So, the response that we have gotten has been quite positive, and we really relish seeing something like that and is something that we actively strive for,” he said.

Stafford Arima, Artistic Director for Theatre Calgary, said that having the company nominated in multiple categories was a wonderful affirmation of all the work that theatre arts practitioners have put into the last season’s shows.

“The company you know, has been around for over five decades and has always been an organization and an institution, and specifically a theatre company that believes in bringing the best to the stage,” Arima said.

“These nominations are just a real, a beautiful affirmation of the incredible work that we at Theatre Calgary continue to strive towards, and also the incredible artists that exist in our city.”

Arima said many whom have worked with Theatre Calgary have gone on to be nominated this year for their work with other companies, or vice versa.

“What is really miraculous is just how tight knit the community is, but also how the community continues to grow and evolve. Artists that perhaps have worked at Theatre Calgary are now working at Vertigo, or the opposite. Or, someone who’s done a lot of work at smaller theatres, and then all of a sudden, are now designing or performing on the Max Bell stage,” he said.

“There is a synergy of artists that are kind of moving back and forth between all of the venues. That really is an exciting element to the recognizing of the talent that exists in town.”

Arima said that he hoped the awards would continue to raise the consciousness of theatre in Calgary, and would pique interest in curiosity in the public for what goes on to make a show—and perhaps even attend the awards themselves.

The show itself, being held on June 23 at the Jubilee Auditorium, is open to the public. Tickets are available at www.universe.com/events/betty-mitchell-awards-2025-tickets-15BZ92.

“We know obviously those that are the most invested are those who have been nominated or worked directly in the industry, but by no means is an exclusive event. It is open to everyone, like the world of theatre should be open for everyone and accessible to everyone,” said Wesley Gray.

“If there are those who see themselves as just enthusiasts or fans or have a curiosity about theatre or the theatre world in Calgary, our doors are open, and we’re more than happy to have them attend.”

2024-2025 Nominees for the Betty Mitchell Awards

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE

• Echoes of the Land – Ghost River Theatre
• The Lehman Trilogy – Theatre Calgary in association with Arts Commons Presents
• Liars at a Funeral – Alberta Theatre Projects in association with Western Canada Theatre
• Murder on the Links – Vertigo Theatre
• The Play That Goes Wrong – Theatre Calgary in Partnership with The Citadel Theatre and The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre 

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA

• ​Lindsey Angell – A Streetcar Named Desire – Theatre Calgary, in partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• Lauren Brotman – Mary Stuart – Sage Theatre
• Norma Lewis – Mary Stuart – Sage Theatre
• Joe Perry – The Woman in Black – Vertigo Theatre
• Makambe K. Simamba – Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Handsome Alice Theatre with Tarragon Theatre and Verb Theatre

​OUTSTANDING PROJECTION OR VIDEO DESIGN

• Natalia Cortes and Maezy Reign – Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby – Handsome Alice Theatre
• Haui™- The Lehman Trilogy – Theatre Calgary in association with Arts Commons Presents
• Andy Moro – The Da Vinci Code – Vertigo Theatre
• Tori Morrison – I Don’t Even Miss You – A Tiny Bear Jaws production with One Yellow Rabbit and Verb Theatre
• Trevor Schwellnus – Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Handsome Alice Theatre with Tarragon Theatre and Verb Theatre

​OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN

• Anton DeGroot – The Seafarer – Alberta Theatre Projects
• Narda McCarroll – The Woman in Black – Vertigo Theatre
• Andy Moro – The Strategy of War – Downstage
• Scott Reid – BlueBeard’s Castle & Gianni Schicchi – Calgary Opera
• Tauran – Mary Stuart – Sage Theatre

​OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN

• Anton DeGroot – The Da Vinci Code – Vertigo Theatre
• Jeff Doucet – Awoowaakii- Theatre Calgary
• Beyata Hackborn – The Play That Goes Wrong – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with The Citadel Theatre and The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
• Julia Kim – Go For Gold, Audrey Pham! – Lunchbox Theatre
• Amy Keith – The Lehman Trilogy – Theatre Calgary, in association with Arts Commons Presents

​OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN

• Jeff Chief – Awoowaakii – Theatre Calgary
• Ralamy Kneeshaw – Blithe Spirit – Theatre Calgary
• Ralamy Kneeshaw – Charlotte’s Web – Alberta Theatre Projects
• The Strategy of War – Downstage
• Rebecca Toon – Legally Blonde – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with the Citadel Theatre

​OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY

• Karen Johnson Diamond – Every Brilliant Thing – Verb Theatre
• Ashley King – Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir – Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre
• Julie Orton – Charlotte’s Web – Alberta Theatre Projects
• Mera Reyes – The Strategy of War – Downstage
• Marshall Vielle – Awoowaakii- Theatre Calgary

​OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL

• ​Giuseppe Altomare – BlueBeard’s Castle & Gianni Schicchi – Calgary Opera
• Devon Brayne – Twelve Days – Lunchbox Theatre and Forte Musical Theatre
• Sonia Deleo – Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby – Handsome Alice Theatre
• Mishael Eusebio – Proving Up – Ammolite Opera
• Kelsey Verzotti – Legally Blonde – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with the Citadel Theatre

​OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY

• ​Sonia Deleo – Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby – Handsome Alice Theatre
• Ashley King – Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir – Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre
• Camille Pavlenko – Go For Gold, Audrey Pham! – Lunchbox Theatre
• Mera Reyes – The Strategy of War – Downstage
• Sable Sweetgrass – Awoowaakii- Theatre Calgary

​OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY OR FIGHT DIRECTION

• ​Stephanie Graham – Legally Blonde – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• Hollywood Jade – Awoowaakii- Theatre Calgary
• Greg Pember – Austentatious – Forte Musical Theatre
• Makambe K. Simamba with consulting by Shakeil Rollock – Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Handsome Alice Theatre with Tarragon Theatre and Verb Theatre 
• Javier Vilalta – The Strategy of War – Downstage

​OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN OR COMPOSITION

• Arturo Alejandro Balanza – The Strategy of War – Downstage
• Andrew Blizzard – The Woman in Black – Vertigo Theatre
• Alixandra Cowman – Charlotte’s Web – Alberta Theatre Projects
• Sonia Deleo – Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby – Handsome Alice Theatre
• Tauran – Echoes of the Land – Ghost River Theatre​

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA

• ​Heidi Damayo – A Streetcar Named Desire – Theatre Calgary, in partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• Sheldon Elter – A Streetcar Named Desire – Theatre Calgary, in partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• Christopher Hunt – The Seafarer – Alberta Theatre Projects
• Stafford Perry – A Streetcar Named Desire – Theatre Calgary, in partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• David Trimble – The Seafarer – Alberta Theatre Projects

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY

• ​Jaime Cesar – Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir – Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre
• Corrine Koslo – Blithe Spirit – Theatre Calgary
• Natascha Girgis – Charlotte’s Web – Alberta Theatre Projects
• Garret C. Smith – Awoowaakii- Theatre Calgary
• Joel David Taylor – Twelfth Night – The Shakespeare Company

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A  MUSICAL

• ​Daniel Fong – Legally Blonde – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• Geoffrey Schellenberg – Proving Up – Ammolite Opera
• Ethan Vasquez Taylor – Austentatious – Forte Musical Theatre
• Eric Wigston – Twelve Days – Lunchbox Theatre and Forte Musical Theatre
• Patricia Zentilli – Legally Blonde – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with the Citadel Theatre

​OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION

• Rachel Cameron – Legally Blonde – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• Kris Demeanor – Echoes of the Land – Ghost River Theatre
• Maria Fuller – Proving Up – Ammolite Opera
• Joe Slabe – Austentatious – Forte Musical Theatre​
• Joe Slabe – Twelve Days – Lunchbox Theatre and Forte Musical Theatre

​OUTSTANDING DIRECTION

• Jamie Dunsdon – The Woman in Black – Vertigo Theatre
• Simon Mallett – The Da Vinci Code – Vertigo Theatre
• Peter Pasyk – The Seafarer – Alberta Theatre Projects
• Donna-Michelle St. Bernard – Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Handsome Alice Theatre with Tarragon Theatre and Verb Theatre
• Javier Vilalta – Mary Stuart – Sage Theatre

​OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

• ​Austentatious – Forte Musical Theatre
• Legally Blonde – Theatre Calgary, in Partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• Proving Up – Ammolite Opera
• Twelve Days – Lunchbox Theatre and Forte Musical Theatre
• Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby – Handsome Alice Theatre

​OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

• ​Awoowaakii- Theatre Calgary
• The Lehman Trilogy – Theatre Calgary in association with Arts Commons Presents
• Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Handsome Alice Theatre with Tarragon Theatre and Verb Theatre
• A Streetcar Named Desire – Theatre Calgary, in partnership with the Citadel Theatre
• The Woman in Black – Vertigo Theatre