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Performance awards have been presented to talented RLT actors since the 1949-50 season. Read more about the awards and how they are awarded.

Here are the winners since 1982. Winners from earlier seasons are listed in Curtain Up! Raleigh Little Theatre’s Fifty Years.

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2018-2019

Congratulations to the winners of the Cantey Awards for 2018-2019.

Best performance by an actor in a lead role
Jesse Farmer as Pippin in Pippin

Best performance by an actress in a lead role
Melanie Simmons as Marie Antoinette in The Revolutionists

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role
Gus Allen as Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role
Kirsten Ehlert as Actress 1 in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Best performance in a cameo role
Rebecca Johnston as Berthe in Pippin

Best production
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

2019 Cantey Award Winners (l-r): Rebecca Johnston, Jesse Farmer, Gus Allen, Melanie Simmons, Kirsten Ehlert

2017-2018

Congratulations to the winners of the Cantey Awards for 2017-2018.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role:
Kevin Leonard as Vernon Tyson in Blood Done Sign My Name

Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role:
Lauren Knott as Millie Martindale in Perfect Arrangement

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:
Benjamin Cashwell as Boyhood Tim in Blood Done Sign My Name

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:
Tara Nicole Williams as Suzette in Don’t Dress for Dinner

Best Performance in a Cameo Role:
Nickea Latrice as Rosanna Allen in Blood Done Sign My Name

Best Production:
Perfect Arrangement

Cantey Award winners for 2018

Cantey Awards winners for 2017-2018 (l-r): Benjamin Cashwell, Nickea Latrice, Tara Nicole Williams, Lauren Knott, and Kevin Leonard

2016-2017

Congratulations to the winners of Cantey Awards for 2016-2017!

Best performance by a lead actor:
Phillip Bernard Smith as Simon in The Whipping Man

Best performance by a lead actress:
Aya Wallace as Felicia in Memphis

Best performance by a supporting actor:
Dustin Britt as Alfie in One Man, Two Guvnors

Best performance by a supporting actress:
Rhonda Brocki as A in When She Had Wings

Best performance by actor in a cameo role:
Lydia D. Kinton as Lucy in Avenue Q

Best production:
Memphis, directed by Patrick Torres

Cantey Award winners for 2016-2017

Cantey Award winners for 2016-2017 (l-r): Rhonda Brocki, Phillip Bernard Smith, Lydia D. Kinton, Dustin Britt, and Aya Wallace

2015-2016

Congratulations to the winners of Cantey Awards for 2015-2016!

Best performance by a lead actor:
Jesse R Gephart as Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie

Best performance by a lead actress:
Rose Higgins as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd

Best performance by a supporting actor:
Brian Fisher as Patsy in Spamalot

Best performance by a supporting actress:
Tosin Olufolabi as Cheryl in Stick Fly

Best performance by actor in a cameo role:
Michael McKenna as Snail in A Year with Frog and Toad

Best production:
Sweeney Todd, directed by Patrick Torres

Cantey Award winners for 2015-2016

Kathleen Rudolph accepting Michael McKenna’s award, a friend accepting Tosin Olufolabi’s award, Jesse R Gephart, Rose Higgins, and Brian Fisher

2014-2015

Congratulations to the winners of Cantey Awards for 2014-2015!

Best performance by a lead actor:
Chris Maxwell as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Best performance by a lead actress:
Kwamea Wilkerson as Mirandy in Mirandy and Brother Wind

Best performance by a supporting actor:
Brent Wilson as Older Steve in The Velveteen Rabbit

Best performance by a supporting actress:
Tina Morris-Anderson as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray

Best performance by actor in a cameo role:
Lydia Kinton as Female Authority Figure in Hairspray

Best production:
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, directed by Jesse R. Gephart

Cantey award winners for 2014-2015 (l-r): Chris Maxwell, Kwamea Wilkerson, Tina Morris-Anderson, Lydia Kinton

Cast and band for Best Production, Hedwig and the Angry Inch


2013-2014

Congratulations to the winners of Cantey Awards for 2013-2014:

Best performance by a lead actor:
Jesse Gephart as Otto the Official in OPQRS, etc

Best performance by a lead actress:
Deneen Tatum as Caroline in Caroline, or Change

Best performance by a supporting actor:
Chris Milner as Adult Man in Spring Awakening

Best performance by a supporting actress:
Anne-Caitlin Donohue as Elvira in Blithe Spirit

Best performance by actor in a cameo role:
Tim Smith as The Dryer/The Bus in Caroline, or Change

Best production:
Blithe Spirit, director Tony Lea

Cantey award winners for 2013-2014 (l-r): Jesse Gephart, Deneen Tatum, Karen Dacons-Brock in for Tim Smith, Anne-Caitlin Donohue, and Chris Milner

Tony Lea, Director of the 2013-2014 Best Production


2012-2013

Congratulations to the winners of Cantey Awards for 2012-2013:

Best Production
The Rocky Horror Show

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
James Ilsley as Frank ‘n’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Sarah Winter as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
David Klionsky as Carl in Bus Stop

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Rebecca Johnston as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Tony Hefner as Lane and Merriman in The Importance of Being Earnest

Cantey award winners for 2012-2013 (l-r): David Klionsky, Tony Hefner, Becky Johnston, Sarah Winter and James Ilsley


2011-2012

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Jim Zervas as John Proctor in The Crucible

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Izzy Burger as Judy Denmark/Ginger DelMarco in Ruthless! The Musical

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Brian Harvell as Reverend Hale in The Crucible

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Sarah Winter as Maisey in The Boy Friend

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Sara Evans as Cow in Gooney Bird Greene and her True Life Adventures

Best Production
The Crucible

Best Performance by a Volunteer in a Leading Role
Judi Wilkinson

Cantey award winners for 2011-2012 (l-r): Brian Harvell, Izzy Burger, Sara Evans, Sarah Winter

Best Production for 2011-2012: Haskell Fitz-Simons for The Crucible


2010-2011

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Jacob Timmons as Mr. Fleet in The Great Cross-Country Race

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Jenny Anglum as Maggie Cutler in The Man Who Came to Dinner

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Jeffrey Vizcaino as William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Izzy Burger as Lala Levy in The Last Night of Ballyhoo

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
John Adams as Beverly Carlton in The Man Who Came to Dinner

Best Production
The Last Night of Ballyhoo

Cantey award winners for 2010-2011 (l-r): Izzy Burger, John Adams, Jenny Anglum, Jeffery Vizcaino, Jacob Timmons

Best Production for 2010-2011 (l-r): Bunny Safron and Haskell Fitz-Simons for The Last Night of Ballyhoo


2009-2010

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Jason Cooper as Matthew in Altar Boyz

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Megan Crosson as Margaret Johnson in The Light In The Piazza

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
David Klionsky as Louie in Lost in Yonkers

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Katherine Anderson as Franca Naccerelli in The Light In The Piazza

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Brent Wilson as Woodstock in Snoopy!!!

Best Production
Lost in Yonkers, directed by Haskell-Fitz-Simons

Cantey award winners for 2009-2010 (l-r): David Klionsky, Megan Crosson, Katherine Anderson, Rose Martin (for Brent Wilson), Julie Florin (for Jason Cooper)


2008-2009

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Mark Ridenour as the Emcee, Cabaret

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Martie Todd Sirois as Jesse, ‘night, Mother

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
John Adams as Herr Shultz, Cabaret

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Eraine Oakley as Fraulein Schneider, Cabaret

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Bobby Rathbone as the Bellhop, Lend Me a Tenor

Best Production
Cabaret, directed by Haskell-Fitz-Simons

Cantey award winners for 2008-2009 (l-r): John Adams, Eraine Oakley, Mark Ridenour, Martie Todd Sirois, and Bobby Rathbone


2007-2008

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Scotty Cherryholmes, Captain James Hook, Peter Pan

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Ann Lincoln, Carrie Watts, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Brent Wilson, Ludie Watts, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Melissa Patterson, Little Sally, Urinetown the Musical

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Timothy Cherry, Senator Fipp, Urinetown The Musical

Best Production
Radio Gals, directed by Haskell Fitz-Simons

Cantey award winners for 2007-2008 (l-r): Haskell Fitz-Simons, Scotty Cherryholmes, Ann Lincoln, Tim Cherry, Brent Wilson, Melissa Patterson


2006-2007

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Rob Jenkins as Artie Shaughnessy in The House of Blue Leaves

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Joan J as Lena Younger (Mama) in A Raisin in the Sun

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (tie)
Rob Bryant, Jr. as Joseph Asagai in A Raisin in the Sun
Jaret Preston as Malcolm McGregor in The Full Monty

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Jackie Marriott as Ruth Younger A Raisin in the Sun

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Lormarev Jones as Grandmere in Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood

Best Production
A Raisin in the Sun directed by Linda O’Day Young

Cantey award winners for 2006-2007 (l-r): Barbette Hunter standing in for Joan J., Rob Bryant Jr, friend of Jackie Marriott standing in for her, Lormarev Jones, Jaret Preston, Rob Jenkins


2005-2006

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Greg Flowers as George Hay in Moon Over Buffalo

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Mary Rowland as Vivian Bearing in Wit

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Pepper Jobe as Jaime McLean in Filthy Rich

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Jackie Marriott as Pat in The Story

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Staci Alston as Latisha in The Story

Best Production
Wit

The 2005-2006 Cantey Award Winners (l-r): Staci Alston, Greg Flowers’ wife, Pepper Jobe, Jackie Marriott, Mary Rowland

The 2005-2006 Cantey Award for Best Production, Wit (l-r): Director Haskell Fitz-Simons and Lead Mary Rowland


2004-2005

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Seth Blum as Randolph P. McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Maggie Rasnick as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Kurt Benrud as Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Blair Tecklenberg as Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
John T. Hall as Starkeeper in Carousel

Best Production
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

The 2004-2005 Cantey Award Winners (l-r): John Hall, Rick Young (Director of Cuckoo’s Nest), Kurt Benrud, Linda Young (Director of Cuckoo’s Nest), Seth Blum


2003-2004

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Adam Gsegner as James Leeds in Children of A Lesser God

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Whitney Boreiko as Sarah Norman in Children of A Lesser God

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Jack Prather as William in How The Other Half Loves

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Adrienne Morton as Mary in How The Other Half Loves

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Missy Dapper as Edna Klein in Children of A Lesser God

Best Production
Children of A Lesser God

Cantey Award Winners (l-r): Whitney Boreiko, Adrienne Morton (Adrienne’s husband accepted on her behalf), Missy Dapper, Jack Prather

Sam Parker, Director of Children of A Lesser God


2002-2003

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
David McClutchey as John Barrymore in I Hate Hamlet

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Mary Rowland as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (tie)
Brent Wilson as Sir Harry in Once Upon A Mattress
Rob Jenkins as Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Patsy Clarke as Lillian Troy in I Hate Hamlet

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Brent Wilson as Henry in The Fantasticks

Best Production
I Hate Hamlet

Award winners (l-r): Brent Wilson, Rob Jenkins, David McClutchey, Mary Rowland, and Patsy Clarke

Rod Rich, Director of the 2002-2003 Best Production, I Hate Hamlet


2001-2002

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
John Adams, H.M.S. Pinafore

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Rose Martin, Smoke on the Mountain

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
John Murphy, Over the River and Through the Woods

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Donna Sullivan-Khouri, Smoke on the Mountain

Best Performance in a Cameo Role
Susan Durham-Lozaw, H.M.S. Pinafore

Best Production
Communicating Doors

2001-2002 Cantey Award Winners (l-r): Susan Durham-Lozaw, John Adams, Rose Martin, Donna Sullivan-Khouri, John Murphy


Winners prior to 2001-2002

2000-2001 award winners:

Best Actress: Barbette Hunter, Home
Best Actor: David McClutchey, Terra Nova
Best Supporting Actress: Alison Lawrence, Brigadoon
Best Supporting Actor: Cain Bilbrey, Terra Nova
Best Cameo: Dexter Morgan, Little Shop of Horrors
Best Production: Terra Nova


1999-2000 award winners:

Best Actress: Joan J, The Old Settler
Best Actor: Lamont WadeFiddler on the Roof
Best Supporting Actress: Barbette Hunter, The Old Settler
Best Supporting Actor: Alan JonesInto the Woods
Best Cameo: Brent WilsonInto the Woods
Best Production: Five Women Wearing the Same Dress


1998-1999 award winners:

Best Actress: Rebecca Johnston, Lettice & Lovage
Best Actor: Martin Thompson, Man of La Mancha
Best Supporting Actress: Jo Brown, Always … Patsy Cline
Best Supporting Actor: Paul Stephens, Master Harold & the boys
Best Cameo: Devon Bennett, Lettice & Lovage
Best Production: Always … Patsy Cline


1997-1998 award winners:

Best Actress: Mary Rowland, Death and the Maiden
Best Actor: Joe Youg, Inherit the Wind
Best Supporting Actress: Rose Martin, Oklahoma!
Best Supporting Actor: David Britt, Sylvia
Best Cameo: Rob Jenkins, Arsenic and Old Lace
Best Production: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying


1996-1997 award winners:

Best Actress: Yolanda Rabun, archy and mehitabel
Best Actor: Roger Jones, The Woman in Black
Best Supporting Actress: Bunny Safron, Beyond Therapy
Best Supporting Actor: David Britt, Beyond Therapy
Best Cameo: Allison Ma’luf, Crimes of the Heart
Best Production: The Pirates of Penzance


1995-1996 award winners:

Best Actress: Anne Matson, Getting Out
Best Actor: John Murphy, To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Supporting Actress: Devon Bennett, Getting Out
Best Supporting Actor: Tyrone Hicks, A Few Good Men
Best Cameo: Frank Vanella, Rumors
Best Production: A Few Good Men


1994-1995 award winners:

Best Actress: Rebecca Johnston, Dancing at Lughnasa
Best Actor: David Potter, Fool for Love
Best Supporting Actress: Denise Michelle Penven-Crew, The Dining Room
Best Supporting Actor: Dan Mason, The Dining Room
Best Cameo: Shakespeare Ngo, City of Angels
Best Production: The Dining Room


1993-1994 award winners:

Best Actress: Allison Lawrence-Smith, Guys and Dolls
Best Actor: Roger Jones, Terra Nova
Best Supporting Actress: Miriam Neer, The Cemetery Club
Best Supporting Actor: David Henderson, Smoke on the Mountain & Terra Nova
Best Cameo: William Hartigan, Guys and Dolls; David McCormack, Guys and Dolls
Best Production: Desire Under the Elms and Smoke on the Mountain


1992-1993 award winners:

Best Actress: Mary Rowland, A Shayna Maidel
Best Actor: Bruce Laks, Speed-The-Plow
Best Supporting Actress: Patti Thorpe, Nunsense
Best Supporting Actor: Alan Jones, Lend Me a Tenor
Best Cameo: John T. Hall, Ghosts
Best Production: Nine


1991-1992 award winners:

Best Actress: Bunny Safron, Gemini
Best Actor: Roger Jones, A Walk in the Woods
Best Supporting Actress: Nancy Whelan Bennett, The Boys Next Door
Best Supporting Actor: Stuart Byham, The Boys Next Door
Best Cameo: David Bartlett, Big River
Best Production: Me and My Girl


1990-1991 award winners:

Best Actress: Alison Lawrence-Smith, The King and I
Best Actor: Eric Carl, Equus; Jonathan Meiburg, The Diviners
Best Supporting Actress: Nancy Watkins, The King and I
Best Supporting Actor: Stuart Byham, The Diviners
Best Cameo: Jennifer Scott McNair, Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
Best Production: Brighton Beach Memoirs; The King and I


1989-1990 award winners:

Best Actress: Becky Johnston, Steel Magnolias
Best Actor: Alan Criswell, All My Sons
Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Klekas, Steel Magnolias
Best Supporting Actor: Mitch Butts, All My Sons
Best Cameo: David Bartlett, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Best Production: The Mystery of Edwin Drood


1988-1989 award winners:

Best Actress: Saravette Trotter, Toys in the Attic
Best Actor: Martin Thompson, Sweeney Todd; Dennis Rogers, Golden Pond
Best Supporting Actress: Barbette Hunter, The Wiz
Best Supporting Actor: Spencer Jenkins, The Wiz; Dan Mason, Cinderella; Terry Shippee, Cinderella
Best Cameo: Becky Johnston, Sweeney Todd
Best Production: Sweeney Todd


1987-1988 award winners:

Best Actress: Saravetter Trotter, Morning’s at Seven
Best Actor: Dennis Rogers, Morning’s at Seven
Best Supporting Actress: Marykate Cunningham, Noises Off
Best Supporting Actor: Jordan Smith, Morning’s at Seven
Best Cameo: Euan Bagshaw, Noises Off
Best Production: Noises Off


1986-1987 award winners:

Best Actress: Alison Lawrence-Smith, Once Upon a Mattress
Best Actor: Brent Wilson, Evita
Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Bunce, Once Upon a Mattress
Best Supporting Actor: Rod Rich, Once Upon a Mattress
Best Cameo: Teresa Moore, Once Upon a Mattress
Best Production: Evita


1985-1986 award winners:

Best Actress: Carolyn Fitz-Simons, The Barretts of Wimpole Street
Best Actor: John T. Hall, The Little Foxes; Rod Rich, The Boys from Syracuse
Best Supporting Actress: Saravette Trotter, Little Foxes
Best Supporting Actor: Chris Shields, Anything Goes
Best Cameo: Jo Brown, The Barretts of Wimpole Street
Best Production: Little Foxes


1984-1985 award winners:

Best Actress: Shannon Bailey, A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Actor: Jason M. Weeks, A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Supporting Actress: Sara Wood, A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Supporting Actor: John T. Hall, The Student Prince
Best Cameo: Joseph Butler Chrietzberg, A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Production: A Streetcar Named Desire


1983-1984 award winners:

Best Actress: Beth Dettman, Saint Joan
Best Actor: Dan Mason, Cabaret
Best Supporting Actress: Marion Fitz-Simons, Deathtrap
Best Supporting Actor: David Ring, Cabaret
Best Cameo: Rebecca Johnston, Pinocchio
Best Production: Deathtrap


1982-1983 award winners:

Best Actress: Gloria King, Move Over Mrs. Markham
Best Actor: Ron Campbell, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Supporting Actress: Lorena Goodwin, Move Over Mrs. Markham
Best Supporting Actor: J. Kelly Gay III, Move Over Mrs. Markham
Best Cameo: Dennis Rogers, A Funny Thing Happened on he Way to the Forum
Best Production: Move Over Mrs. Markham

For award winners before 1982, see the list in  Curtain Up! Raleigh Little Theatre’s Fifty Years.