And the Nominees Are¦

Hats off to the Helen Hayes Awards nominees recognized recently for artistic excellence in local theater. DowntownDC BID area theaters received nods in 20 of 27 categories!

The categories ranged from Outstanding Director, Resident Musical to Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production. The Shakespeare Theatre Company (the Lansburgh Theatre, 450 7th Street, and Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F Street) picked up 20 nominations; Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D Street) gathered nine; and Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street) received one.

The Helen Hayes Awards is one of the country’s most esteemed cultural events. This year’s black-tie awards ceremony will convene at the Warner Theatre (513 13th Street) on Monday, April 25.

For the complete list of 2011 nominees, visit www.helenhayes.org.