Main Street Productions celebrates local talent at 2026 Westies

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Main Street Productions (MSP) celebrated its 2025–2026 season Sunday, Sept. 20, with the 2026 Westies, an annual awards ceremony recognizing the performers, directors, designers, technicians, volunteers, and supporters who helped bring another season of community theater to the Basile Westfield Playhouse.

More than 130 guests attended the celebration, which featured special performances, awards, food, and an evening honoring the people who make MSP possible. Hosted by local comedian, actor, singer, and event host Steve Jerk, the ceremony celebrated productions from across the 2025–2026 season, including The Rocky Horror Show, Death of a Salesman, Almost, Maine, The Drowning Girls, and The Secret Garden, along with the youth production Alice in Wonderland.

The evening’s top honors included Best Music Director for Laura Hicks of The Secret Garden, Best Director for Molly Bellner of The Drowning Girls, Best Production for The Drowning Girls, produced by Bill Miller, as well as Best Actress in a Leading Role for Susan Hill and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Aaron Moon, both for Death of a Salesman.

MSP also presented three special recognitions: the Community Impact Award to Rob Slaven, Volunteer of the Year to Kristina Lawyer, and the Deacon Otis Student Scholarship to Lilah Cross.

2026 Westies Award Recipients

Technical Awards

• Best Sound Operator: Elianah Atwell & Oscar Otero – The Secret Garden
• Best Sound Design: Elianah Atwell, Laura Hicks, & Oscar Otero – The Secret Garden
• Best Lighting Operator: Andrew R. Young – The Rocky Horror Show
• Best Lighting Design: Clay Howard – The Rocky Horror Show
• Best Stage Manager: Fran Knapp & Nan Durant – The Rocky Horror Show
• Best Properties: Kat Watson – The Rocky Horror Show
• Best Set Decoration: Mason Odle – The Secret Garden
• Best Set Design: Jay Ganz – Death of a Salesman
• Best Costumes: Cathie Morgan – The Drowning Girls

Performance Awards

• Best Performer Age 18 & Under: Polly Hamm – The Secret Garden
• Best Ensemble: The Drowning Girls – Jo Bennett, Monya Wolf, and Sarah Eberhardt
• Best Cameo Performance: Tanner Brunson – Death of a Salesman
• Best Singer in a Female Role: Kata Ewigleben – The Secret Garden
• Best Singer in a Male Role: Mike Lipphardt – The Secret Garden
• Best Minor Supporting Actress: Heather Hansen – The Secret Garden
• Best Minor Supporting Actor: Broden Irwin – The Rocky Horror Show
• Best Major Supporting Actress: Tessa Gibbons – The Secret Garden
• Best Major Supporting Actor: Connor Phelan – Death of a Salesman
• Best Actress in a Leading Role: Susan Hill – Death of a Salesman
• Best Actor in a Leading Role: Aaron Moon – Death of a Salesman

Overall Awards

• Best Music Director: Laura Hicks – The Secret Garden
• Best Director: Molly Bellner – The Drowning Girls
• Best Production: The Drowning Girls – Bill Miller, Producer

Alice in Wonderland Youth Choice Awards

The youth awards were selected by members of the Alice in Wonderland company and recognized fellow young performers and crew members.

• Best Performer: Rylie Cuellar
• Best Spirit: Morgan Rusbasan
• Best Major Supporting Performer: Sydney Weitz
• Best Minor Supporting Performer: Katherine Weitz
• Best Tech/Crew: Teddy Cooper & Jackson Brammer

Special Recognition

• Community Impact Award: Rob Slaven
• Volunteer of the Year: Kristina Lawyer
• Deacon Otis Student Scholarship: Lilah Cross

MSP expressed its appreciation to the many volunteers, artists, judges, donors, sponsors, and supporters who contributed to the 2025-2026 season and to the 2026 Westies.

The organization will continue its 2026-2027 season at Basile Westfield Playhouse, with The Crucible opening Oct. 8, followed by A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play in December and additional productions throughout the coming year.

For more information about Main Street Productions, upcoming productions, auditions, volunteer opportunities, or membership, visit BasileWestfieldPlayhouse.org.

Photos by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com