2013 Helen Hayes Awards Recognizes Three Members of UMD’s TDPS for Theatre Excellence

Theatre is alive and well in Washington, DC, and in particular at the UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS). Three of TDPS’s own were lauded at the 29th annual Helen Hayes Awards celebration, one of the country’s most prestigious cultural honors which recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievement in over 80 professional theatres around Washington.

TDPS and the entire UMD community congratulate the following 2013 Helen Hayes Award winners:

• Misha Kachman – TDPS Associate Professor Set & Costume Design -- Outstanding Set Design of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Frank Labovitz – Graduate TDPS Alumni in Costume Design -- Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production of Dream Girls at Signature Theatre
• Aaron Posner – TDPS Adjunct Lecturer - Outstanding Resident Play -- Taming of the Shrew at Folger Theatre

“Your creativity, hours of research and joy of art pay off,” said Leigh Wilson Smiley, director of TDPS. “You exemplify the excellence found on the city’s best stages, reaffirming that TDPS and Washington are thriving homes to great theatre.”

Since 1985, the Helen Hayes Awards have celebrated outstanding theatrical achievement throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Named for the legendary First Lady of the American Theatre, the awards bring national attention to one of the region's greatest cultural resources. Artistic achievement is awarded in 26 categories, attracting artistic, corporate, philanthropic, social, and political leaders to honor the talent and creativity that have established Washington as the second most prolific theatre town in the country.

Kudos to all of UMD’s TDPS students and alumni who were nominated as well!