The New Jewish Theatre (NJT) continued its streak of excellence at the 2025 St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, bringing home three acting honors across two standout productions.
Actors Jacob Schmidt and Spencer Sickmann were recognized for their comedic performances in “Trayf” while Jason Heil earned a nod for his dramatic turn in “All My Sons.” Schmidt received the outstanding performer in a comedy (male or non-binary role) award and Sickmann earned the award for outstanding supporting performer in a comedy (male or non-binary). Heil was honored for outstanding supporting performer in a drama (male or non-binary).
The awards ceremony, held March 24 at the Loretto-Hilton Center, highlighted the region’s top theatrical talent from 2024.
Theater Circle Awards
This year’s awards follow a strong showing of 19 nominations for NJT, a nod to the company’s consistency and artistic ambition under the leadership of Artistic Director Rebekah Scallet. Every production in NJT’s 2024 season received at least one nomination.
“It’s fantastic that the Theatre Circle recognized all of our productions and especially so many facets of them,” said Scallet. “In addition to the acting nominations, we also received nominations for lighting, scenic and sound design as well as directing. It is gratifying for them to recognize the quality of the work being done here across the board and it is a testament to the consistency of that quality as well.”
She added, “I am so excited for the three actors who won their categories—and I love that two of the three won for our production of ‘Trayf.’ It probably had the most Jewish content of any of our shows, including a Yiddish word as the title! So to see that show in particular be recognized speaks to the universality of the work we do and how our stories are reaching beyond our own community.”
Scallet also highlighted the importance of the ensemble in creating award-worthy performances. “I can select all the fantastic scripts in the world, but they will flop without the work of strong ensembles to bring them to life. We had so many phenomenal performances in the Wool Studio Theatre last year, each helping to make our productions soar.”
“Of the three recognized by the St. Louis Theatre Circle, Spencer Sickmann and Jacob Schmidt made ‘Trayf’ work by being so relatable and honest. They were able to balance the humor with the humanity while connecting to the audience and creating empathy for their characters’ journeys. Jayson Heil broke my heart every time I watched ‘All My Sons’—his performance was so true, so connected and so vulnerable. That’s what you need for the audience to feel the full impact of Arthur Miller’s potent words.”
The three wins add to NJT’s already impressive reputation, following last year’s six-award sweep, which made it the top winner of 2024.
NJT’s 2025 season opened with “Cabaret,” which has already been extended due to popular demand and now runs through April 13.
‘Cabaret’
Bobby and Caroline Pillow as Fritzie (Jon Gitchoff)
WHEN: Through April 13
WHERE: The New Jewish Theatre’s Wool Studio Theatre in the Jewish Community Center’s Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive
HOW MUCH: $29–$61
MORE INFO: Visit newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283
