Even as a new live theater season has begun in South Florida, it is time to honor the excellence that artists displayed during the past year.

In the region that includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, there are at least two opportunities to recognize greatness in live theater: The Silver Palm Awards and the Carbonell Awards. This year, the former will take place this month, while the Carbonells are slated for November. Judges for both awards programs have announced this year’s honorees.

The Silver Palms Awards were established in 2008 to celebrate the work of theater artists who live in South Florida.

Silver Palms judges expanded this past year’s awards to include and honor more unique and non-traditional contributions to the community. The pool of judges comprises professionals working all aspects of the live theater industry, in addition to devoted, knowledgeable patrons.

Judges attended a cumulative 478 performances this season. Votes are weighted by how many shows each judge saw, and honorees confirmed by a select committee.

Here are the 2022-23 Silver Palm honorees:

• Angie Radosh, Outstanding Performance, One More Yesterday, Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton
• Autumn Kioti, Outstanding Performance, Rotterdam, Island City Stage
• Bari Newport & Karina Batchelor, Commitment to Dramaturgical Excellence, GableStage
• Bill Hayes, Outstanding Director, August, Osage County, Palm Beach Dramaworks
• Create Dangerously, Outstanding Cultural Contribution, Miami New Drama
• David Hart, Outstanding Sound Design, Pageant, Rotterdam, Tracy Jones, Thrill Me, Island City Stage
• Elizabeth Price, Outstanding Performance, What the Constitution Means to Me, City Theatre
• Frank J. Oliva, Outstanding Set Design, The Little Mermaid, Area Stage; Native Gardens, GableStage
• Jerel Brown, Outstanding Performance, Mlima’s Tale, Zoetic Stage
• Jordon Armstrong, Outstanding Special Effect, Grand Horizons, Boca Stage
• Karen Stephens, Outstanding Performance, Time Alone, Boca Stage
• LakehouseRanchDotPNG, Outstanding New / Emerging Theatre Company
• The Little Mermaid, Outstanding Immersive Theatre Experience, Area Stage
• Matt Stabile, Outstanding Director, Red Riding Hood, Dorothy’s Dictionary, Last Night in Inwood, Theatre Lab
• Melquisedel Dominguez Cadena, Outstanding Set Design, Red Speedo, Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton
• Michael McKeever, Outstanding New Work, American Rhapsody, Zoetic Stage
• Nate Promkul, Outstanding Performance, Next to Normal, Zoetic Stage; Newsies on-stage understudy, Slow Burn Theatre Company
• Next to Normal, Outstanding Production, Zoetic Stage
• Palm Beach Dramaworks, Excellence in Ensemble Casting, 12 Angry Men, August, Osage County
• Paul Curtis & Hola Hi, Outstanding Original Music Contribution to SFL Theatre Community
• Refuge, Outstanding Production, Theatre Lab
• Rick Pena, Outstanding Costume Design, Newsies, Slow Burn Theatre Company
• Roderick Randle, Outstanding Breakout Performance, Topdog/Underdog, Main Street Players
• Ronnie Larsen, Outstanding Multi-disciplinary Work, Producer, Director, Playwright, and Actor
• Stuart Meltzer, Outstanding Director, Next to Normal, American Rhapsody, Zoetic Stage; The Actors, Red Speedo, Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton

The Silver Palm 2022-2023 Judging Panel was as follows:

Barbara Bradshaw, actor; Mary Damiano, arts journalist; *Christine Dolen, theatre critic; Niki Fridh, actor; Bianca Garcia, actor; Patti Gardner, actor; Carey Brianna Hart, actor/director; *Luis Roberto Hererra, playwright/actor/theatre critic; Bill Hirschman, theatre critic; Lee Rubin, sponsor; *Karen Stephens, actor; Michelle Solomon, arts journalist; *John Thomason, theatre critic; Gaby Tortoledo, actor; James White, III, actor; Kent Chambers-Wilson, actor/director; *Sandi Stock, Silver Palm Awards Managing Director

The Silver Palm Awards will return to The Addison of Boca Raton beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16.

This year’s honorees, along with those who participate in creating theater in South Florida, will be feted at a gala dinner. It includes a complimentary specialty cocktail hour, full dinner, the presentation of the awards and dancing afterwards. Tickets for the event are $50 (a $125 value) or $500 for a table of ten.

The Addison of Boca Raton is at 2 E. Camino Real in Boca Raton. The Tony Finstrom Fund at Our Fund and Mark Traverso and Conor Walton sponsor the Silver Palm Awards Gala. You can reserve tickets at http://www.silverpalmawards.com/

Tony Finstrom, Iris Acker and Ron Levitt co-founded the awards ceremony in 2008 as a way to celebrate excellence in South Florida theater. Fashioned after New York’s Off-Broadway Obie Awards, the Silver Palms do not designate nominees, and they place no limit on the number of citations that might be given in any “category.” In truth, there are no official categories.

Silver Palm judges submit 10 recommendations to the Silver Palm Executive Committee, citing the artists they feel should be recognized as having made an “Outstanding Contribution to the South Florida Theater Season.” All submissions are tallied and scored. The theater artists with the highest scores receive the honor. The late Finstrom had designated Andy Rogow and Michael McKeever as the co-chairs of the Awards, requesting that they continue his legacy of supporting the community and honoring its artists. Sandi Stock oversees the awards as Managing Director.

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Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, has announced the nominations in 20 competitive categories for the 2022-2023 theater season. A total of 45 productions at 22 different theatres were evaluated by a diverse group of more than 30 experienced judges representing all three participating counties (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach).

For participating theaters, Zoetic Stage topped the list with 20 nominations, followed by Maltz Jupiter Theater with 19, 18 for GableStage, Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton with 14, Palm Beach Dramaworks with nine, and Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre  and Slow Burn Theatre Company tied with eight nominations each. Collectively, 120 nominations were distributed among 17 different theaters.

 Next to Normal at Zoetic Stage garnered the most individual nominations (11) and nabbing nine each are A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Maltz Jupiter Theatre and Native Gardens at GableStage.

Zoetic Stage received seven nominations for American Rhapsody, and getting six each are Bright Star at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, One More Yesterday by Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton, and Sweet Charity at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

The 46^th Annual Carbonell Awards ceremony will take place beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11^th Place. Tickets cost $37 each (including facility fee) and are available for purchase online at https://www.showpass.com/46th-annual-carbonell-awards/

The complete list of nominations follows.

Outstanding New Work, Play or Musical

• American Rhapsody, by Michael McKeever(Zoetic Stage)
• Dorothy’s Dictionary, by M. Lewis(Theatre Lab)
• Last Night in Inwood, by Alix Sobler(Theatre Lab)
• One More Yesterday, by Ronnie Larsen, Dennis Manning & Bobby Peaco(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• The Prisoners, by Ronnie Larsen(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• #GRACED, by Vanessa Garcia(Zoetic Stage)

Outstanding Production, Play

• A Doll’s House, Part 2 (GableStage)
• Anna in the Tropics(Miami New Drama)   
• Elián (Miami New Drama)
• Native Gardens (GableStage)
• Red Speedo (Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Twelve Angry Men (Palm Beach Dramaworks)

Outstanding Direction, Play

• Victoria Collado, Native Gardens(GableStage)
• Nilo Cruz, Anna in the Tropics(Miami New Drama)
• Ronnie Larsen, The Prisoners(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Stuart Meltzer, Red Speedo(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Bari Newport, A Doll’s House, Part 2(GableStage)
• Dámaso Rodríguez, El Huracán(GableStage)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Play

• Kevin Cruz, Native Gardens(GableStage)
• Jovon Jacobs, Topdog/Underdog (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
• David Kwiat, Native Gardens(GableStage)
• Brendan Powers, A Doll’s House, Part 2(GableStage)
• Gabriell Salgado, Red Speedo (Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Alex Weisman, American Rhapsody(Zoetic Stage)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Play

• Rachel Burttram, A Doll’s House Part 2(GableStage)
• Patricia Connolly, 4000 Miles(Palm Beach Dramaworks)
• Diana Garle, Native Gardens(GableStage)
• Elizabeth Price, What the Constitution Means to Me(City Theatre)
• Adriana Sevan, El Huracán(GableStage)
• Barbara Sloan, Native Gardens(GableStage)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Play

• Dennis Creaghan, Twelve Angry Men(Palm Beach Dramaworks)
• Chris Anthony Ferrer, Red Speedo(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• David Kwiat, Twelve Angry Men(Palm Beach Dramaworks)
• Gabriell Salgado, El Huracán(GableStage)
• Stephen Trovillion, American Rhapsody(Zoetic Stage)
• Tom Wahl, Twelve Angry Men(Palm Beach Dramaworks)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Play

• Francine Birns, Over the River and Through the Woods(West Boca Theatre Company)
• Lindsey Corey, American Rhapsody(Zoetic Stage)
• Patti Gardner, Last Night in Inwood(Theatre Lab)
• Melissa Ann Hubicsak, Last Summer at Bluefish Cove (Ronnie Larsen Presents/Women of Wilton)
• Saundra Santiago, Anna in the Tropics(Miami New Drama)
• Laura Turnbull, American Rhapsody(Zoetic Stage)

Outstanding Production, Musical

• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Jersey Boys(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Mary Poppins(Slow Burn Theatre)
• Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Oliver! (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• The Little Mermaid(Area Stage)

Outstanding Direction, Musical

• Patrick Fitzwater, Mary Poppins(Slow Burn Theatre)
• Norb Joerder, Anything Goes(The Wick Theatre)
• Ronnie Larsen, One More Yesterday(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Stuart Meltzer, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Marcos Santana, Sweet Charity(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Jennifer Werner, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Musical

• Nick Anastasia, Honeymoon in Vegas(Slow Burn Theatre)
• Scott Cote, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Nate Promkul, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Ben Sandomir, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Sky Seals, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
• Jesse Swimm, Sweet Charity(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)

  Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Musical

• Aaron Bower, Anything Goes(The Wick Theatre)
• Kimberly Doreen Burns, Bright Star(Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
• Gabi Gonzalez, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Jeni Hacker, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Angie Radosh, One More Yesterday(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Jennifer Sanchez, Sweet Charity(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Musical

• Tico Chiriboga, The Little Mermaid(Area Stage)
• Sean William Davis, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Robert Koutras, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
  Jeremy Morse, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Joseph Morell, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Andrew Sellon, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Musical

• Dalia Aleman, Honeymoon in Vegas(Slow Burn Theatre)
• Toddra Brunson, One More Yesterday(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Ashley McManus, Sweet Charity(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Paulette Oliva, Bright Star(Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
• Leah Sessa, Anything Goes(The Wick Theatre)
• Alexandra Van Hasselt, Bright Star(Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)

Outstanding Music Direction

• Eric Alsford, Bright Star(Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
• Caryl Fantel, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Caryl Fantel, Next to Normal (Zoetic Stage)
• Bobby Peaco, One More Yesterday(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Andrew Davis Sotomayor, Sweet Charity(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Michael Ursua, Mary Poppins(Slow Burn Theatre)

Outstanding Choreography

• Oren Korenblum, Anything Goes(The Wick Theatre)
• Oren Korenblum, One More Yesterday(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• Shannon Mullen, Footloose: The Musical(Slow Burn Theatre)
• Ariel Reid, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Marcos Santana, Sweet Charity(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Trent Soyster, Newsies(Slow Burn Theatre)

  Outstanding Scenic Design, Play, or Musical

• Melquisedel Dominguez Cadena, Red Speedo(Ronnie Larsen Presents)
• David Goldstein, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Adam Koch, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Frank J. Oliva, The Little Mermaid(Area Stage)
• Frank J. Oliva, Native Gardens(GableStage)
• Bert Scott, 4000 Miles(Palm Beach Dramaworks)

  Outstanding Lighting Design, Play or Musical

• Blanca Forzán, El Huracán(Gable Stage)
• Tony Galaska, A Doll’s House, Part 2(GableStage)
• Eric Nelson, Bright Star(Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
• Eric Nelson, What the Constitution Means to Me(City Theatre)
• Cory Pattak, Sweet Charity(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Thomas Shorrock, Dorothy’s Dictionary(Theatre Lab)

Outstanding Sound Design, Play, or Musical

• Roger Arnold, Topdog/Underdog(Palm Beach Dramaworks)
• Matt Corey, Native Gardens(GableStage)
• Matt Corey, Refuge(Theatre Lab)
• Matt Corey, Next to Normal(Zoetic Stage)
• Patrick Fitzwater, Newsies(Slow Burn Theatre)
• Zachariah Rosenbaum, Million Dollar Quartet (The Wick Theatre)

Outstanding Costume Design, Play or Musical

• Angie Esposito, Topdog/Underdog(Main Street Players)
• Mika Eubanks, Jersey Boys(Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
• Camilla Haith, Native Gardens(GableStage)
• Ellis Tillman, Bright Star(Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
• Ellis Tillman, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas(Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
• Gema Valdés & Vladimir Cuenca, Hierro (ARCA Images)

Outstanding Achievement of an Artistic Specialty

• Steven Covey for Video Projection Design, #GRACED(Zoetic Stage)
• Delavega for Video Direction, American Rhapsody(Zoetic Stage)
• Tyler Johnson Grimes for Foley Design,It’s a Wonderful Life: A Life Radio Play (New City Players)
• Jeni Hacker, Movement Coordinator,American Rhapsody (Zoetic Stage)
• David A. Hyland for Fight Choreography,Twelve Angry Men (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
• Hannah Wasileski for Projection Design,Create Dangerously (Miami New Drama)

In addition to the 20 competitive award categories, the 46^th annual Carbonell Awards will present seven Special Awards selected by the nonprofit organization’s board of directors, including The George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts to longtime South Florida theatre critic and Carbonell judge Christine Dolen, a repeat winner who originally received the honor 22 years ago. An announcement for the other six Special Awards is forthcoming.

As part of the 2023 Carbonell Awards, $2,000 Jack Zink Memorial Student Scholarships will each be presented to Diane Danyang Li (Broward County), Emily Moreland (Palm Beach County), and Addison Doris Stone (Miami-Dade County).

The producers of the Carbonell Awards Ceremony on November 13 are distinguished playwright, actor, and designer Michael McKeever and Stuart Meltzer, the founding artistic director of Zoetic Stage—both of whom have won multiple Carbonell Awards and previously produced and directed numerous Carbonell Ceremonies.

Sponsors of the 46^th Annual Carbonell Awards include the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Broward Cultural Division, Marj O’Neill Butler, Carbonell Sculptures Ltd., Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, John Knox Village, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, The Dennis C. Moss Center (formerly The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center), OutClique Magazine, South Florida Theater Magazine, South Florida Theatre League, and Donald R. Walters, P.A.

The Carbonell Awards foster the artistic growth of professional theater in South Florida by celebrating the excellence and diversity of the region’s theater artists, providing educational scholarships, and building audience appreciation and civic pride by highlighting achievements of the theater community.

More than 20 professional theater companies in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties participate in the awards process annually. The Carbonell Awards also celebrate the accomplishments of local artistic leaders by presenting various Special Awards.

Along with New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell Awards are among the nation’s oldest regional arts awards and predate others, including Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes Awards. The Carbonell Awards are named after the internationally renowned sculptor Manuel Carbonell, who designed the signature solid bronze and marble award given annually to Carbonell Award winners. Over the last 46 years, the Carbonell family has donated more than $250,000 in awards. For more information, visit www.carbonellawards.org.