The Jeff Impresario Award, the newest annual award presented by the Joseph Jefferson Awards, is now accepting nominations for outstanding Chicago Equity theater stage managers from theater companies to recognize excellence of a stage manager who has been a vital part of the behind-the-scenes work bringing Chicago productions to life over the last season. This new award is presented for both Equity and Non-Equity theater at the annual Jeff Awards ceremonies. The award was launched at the Non-Equity ceremony this past March to Kyle Aschbrenner for work with Blank Theatre Company.
Given the importance and understanding of the role, stage manager nominations will be accepted from Chicago area theater companies exclusively. Nominations from individuals will not be eligible for consideration. All nominations for Equity stage managers are due by Monday, July 14, 2025 by 5pm (CST).
Theater company representatives can use the following link to make their nominations:
JEFF-IMPRESARIO-AWARD-NOMINATION
Or copy link address below to your browser - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUSqTexc3BIW5osgspEPeuUIQzDSOx...
For more information, theater companies can contact Jeff Awards Equity Wing Chair Paulette Petretti at equitywing@jeffawards.org.
To continue its mission to promote theater excellence, the Jeff Awards looks for opportunities to support the theater community and celebrate artistic and technical excellence. Today, the organization evaluates excellence in more than 30 categories. The Impresario Award is the fourth expansion of recognition that the Jeff Awards has added in the last four years, including Short Runs and World Language Productions, as well as the Jeff Impact Fellowship (a cash award to emerging artists of color).
"Stage managers need a spotlight as audiences never truly see what goes into a successful production and the vital behind-the-scenes role stage managers play," said Jeff Awards Chair John Glover. "This new award category has already generated an overwhelming response from theaters to bring more recognition to this under-appreciated role. We look forward to giving a moment on stage for the first Equity stage manager at this fall's annual awards celebration."
WATCH FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2025 EQUITY JEFF AWARDS
The 57th Jeff Awards for Equity Theater will be held Monday, September 29, 2025 at the Harris Theater in Chicago. Event details, how to access tickets and other information will be available over the summer. Nominations for the annual awards will be announced in August.
Stay tuned for more details!
ABOUT THE JEFF AWARDS
The Jeff Awards is one of the most active and engaged theater awards organizations in the country evaluating hundreds of theatrical productions annually and holding two awards ceremonies highlighting work over the past Equity and Non-Equity seasons. Through recommendations, awards, and honors the organization helps foster the growth of companies, encourages artists, brings new appreciation for diverse storytelling, and cultivates civic pride in the achievements of the Chicago theater community. Originally chartered in 1968 to recognize Equity productions, the Jeff Awards Non-Equity Wing was established in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre. For more information, visit www.jeffawards.org.