New Jewish Theatre lands 31 St. Louis Theatre Circle nominations, second-most overall

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief

Published February 5, 2026

New Jewish Theatre awards — Hailey Medrano and Spencer Davis Milford, are both nominated for their roles in ‘Cabaret’

New Jewish Theatre (NJT) emerged as one of the major standouts in the 2026 St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, which honor productions staged in 2025, earning a remarkable 31 nominations across multiple categories—second only to The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, which led all companies with 39. The strong showing underscores a banner year for NJT, marked by ambitious productions, standout performances and excellence across technical and creative disciplines.

“I am blown away by this incredible recognition from the St. Louis Theatre Circle. It’s amazing to see the hard work of the many talented artists who graced our stage be celebrated in such a meaningful way,” said Rebekah Scallet, artistic director of NJT. “The year 2025 was full of outstanding productions across St. Louis – to have so many of NJT’s ranked among the best of the year is a true honor.”

Leading the NJT charge was “Cabaret,” which received 13 nominations, the most nominations earned by any theater company for a single 2025 production. The musical was recognized across the board, including acting, design and ensemble categories. Among the nominees were Hailey Medrano for Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role; Spencer Davis Milford for Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role; and Scallet, for Outstanding Direction of a Musical.

The production also garnered nominations for choreography by Ellen Isom, musical direction by Carter Haney, lighting design by Denisse Chavez, set design by David Blake and costume design by Michele Friedman Siler, as well as Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical.

“To be nominated for Best Director of a musical, as well as have ‘Cabaret’ receive the most nominations of any individual production of 2025, is both gratifying and humbling,” said Scallet, who will directing NJT’s 2026 opener in April, “Prayer for the French Republic” as well as St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s “The Two Gentleman of Verona” in August.

“Putting [Cabaret] together was a true collaborative experience, with every single artist and technician contributing to its overall success,” Scallet continued. “To have so many members of our team nominated, as well as nominations for best ensemble and best musical, is a testament to everyone’s hard work, passion, and talent. Working with them was an unforgettable experience.”

Beyond “Cabaret,” NJT received significant recognition for “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.” The comedy earned nominations for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy and multiple acting nods, including Sean C. Seifert and John Wilson for Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role; Bryce A. Miller for Outstanding Performer in a Comedy; and Alicia Revé Like for Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role.

The theater’s dramatic work was also well represented. “The Wanderers” received nominations in several acting categories, including Wendy Renée Greenwood for Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role; Joel Moses for Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role; and supporting nominations for Jade Cash, Maggie Wininger and Bryce A. Miller. The production was also nominated for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama.

Additional nominations highlighted NJT’s technical and creative strengths, including Kareem Deanes for Outstanding Sound Design for “Two Jews Walk into a War: A Comedy” and Friedman Siler for Outstanding Costume Design in a Play for “The Heidi Chronicles,” as well as Outstanding Projections or Special Effects for the same production.

Winners will be announced on March 23, when the 13^th annual St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards kick off at 6:30 p.m. at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. Longtime theater educator, director and actor Wayne Salomon will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.

About the Contributor

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief

A native of Westbury, New York, Ellen Futterman broke into the world of big city journalism as a general assignment reporter for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner in the latter part of the 20th century. Deciding that Tinsel Town was not exciting enough for her, she moved on to that hub of glamour and sophistication, Belleville, Ill., where she became a feature writer, columnist and food editor for the Belleville News-Democrat. A year later the St. Louis Post-Dispatch scooped her up, neither guessing at the full range of her talents, nor the extent of her shoe collection. She went on to work at the Post-Dispatch for 25 years, during which time she covered hard news, education, features, investigative projects, profiles, sports, entertainment, fashion, interiors, business, travel and movies. She won numerous major local and national awards for her reporting on “Women Who Kill” and on a four-part series about teen-age pregnancy, ‘Children Having Children.'” Among her many jobs at the newspaper, Ellen was a columnist for three years, Arts and Entertainment Editor, Critic-at-large and Daily Features (Everyday) Editor. She invented two sections from scratch, one of which recently morphed from Get Out, begun in 1995, to GO. In January of 2009, Ellen joined the St. Louis Jewish Light as its editor, where she is responsible for overseeing editorial operations, including managing both staff members and freelancers. Under her tutelage, the Light has won 16 Rockower Awards — considered the Jewish Pulitzer’s — including two personally for Excellence in Commentary for her weekly News & Schmooze column. She also is the communications content editor for the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis. Ellen and her husband, Jeff Burkett, a middle school principal, live in Olivette and have three children. Ellen can be reached at 314-743-3669 or at [email protected].