Feb 23, 2026

On Monday, February 23, 2026, at a celebration honoring outstanding theatre on stages across the Washington area, theatre artists, administrators, patrons, and special guests gathered at Studio Theatre for Theatre Washington’s announcement of nominees for the 42nd Helen Hayes Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 18 at an event at The Anthem. The nominations are for productions in the Washington, DC, region in the 2025 calendar year.

Actor Jacob Yeh is up for an individual award and an ensemble award for his work in 2025 in 1st Stage Theatre’s production of Birthday Candles (HAYES Production, Outstanding Supporting Performer & Outstanding Ensemble). Relive this wonderful production (also a nominee for Outstanding Production – Play – HAYES) by reading reviews here.

Named for actor Helen Hayes – a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre – the Helen Hayes Awards has honored excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region for four decades.

Save the date for the Helen Hayes Awards celebration on Monday, May 18, 2026 at The Anthem.