St. Louis’ Premier Small Professional Theatre
The New Jewish, St. Louis’ Premier Small Professional Theatre, is dedicated to the exploration of universal themes and issues and the examination of the full range of the human experience filtered through the lens of the Jewish experience. Through the medium of theater, we build bridges of multicultural understanding, tolerance, communication and education.
The New Jewish Theatre was an outgrowth of the long history of theatre programming of the Jewish Community Center. In 1997, the need was recognized to develop a professional theatre program with programming that reflected the Jewish experience. Since its inception, the theatre has continued to grow at an exponential rate, both in size and in quality. The original season of three productions of eight performances has expanded to the current season’s five productions of 12 performances each
The New Jewish Theatre is located in the Wool Studio Theater in the Arts & Education Building of the J’s Staenberg Family Complex.
2 Millstone Campus Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63146
Awards
New Jewish Theatre has been honored with 156 nominations and 29 wins from the St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards in our 25-year history. Thank you to the Missouri Arts Council and the Regional Arts Commission for their continued support.
Most recently, New Jewish Theatre has been nominated for 24 awards with the St. Louis Theatre Circle for its accomplished 2023 Season.
2023 Circle Awards: 24 Nominations
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role: Christina Rios, Broadway Bound
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role: Chuck Brinkley, Broadway Bound
Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role: Jacob Flekier, Broadway Bound
Outstanding Sound Design: Amanda Werre, Into the Woods
Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Michele Friedman Siler, The Immigrant
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role: Mindy Shaw, The Immigrant
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role: David Wassilak, The Immigrant
Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role: Dustin Lane Petrillo, The Immigrant
Outstanding Musical Director: Larry D. Pry, Into the Woods
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role: Kristen Joy Lintvedt, Into the Woods
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role: Phil Leveling, Into the Woods
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical: Jayson M. Lawshee, Into the Woods
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: C. Otis Sweeney, Into the Woods
Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role: Molly Wennstrom, Into the Woods
Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role: Kevin O’Brien, Into the Woods
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy: Broadway Bound
Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama: The Immigrant
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical: Into the Woods
Outstanding Director of a Comedy: Alan Knoll, Broadway Bound
Outstanding Director of a Drama: Rebekah Scallet, The Immigrant
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Robert Quinlan, Into the Woods
Outstanding Production of a Comedy: Broadway Bound
Outstanding Production of a Drama: The Immigrant
Outstanding Production of a Musical: Into the Woods
2022 Circle Awards: 10 Nominations
Outstanding Production of a Comedy: Dear Jack, Dear Louise
Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role: Molly Burris – Dear Jack, Dear Louise
Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role: Ryan Lawson-Maeske – Dear Jack, Dear Louise
Outstanding Sound Design: Amanda Werre – Dear Jack, Dear Louise
Outstanding Set Design in a Play: Dunsi Dai – Dear Jack, Dear Louise
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy: Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Michele Friedman Siler – Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Outstanding Director of a Comedy: Eddie Coffield – Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role: Riley Carter Adams – The Bee Play
Outstanding Musical Director: Cullen Curth – Jerry’s Girls
2020 Circle Awards: 21 Nominations & 6 Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama: Gary Wayne Barker – District Merchants (Win)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama: J. Samuel Davis – District Merchants (Win)
Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Felia Davenport – District Merchants (Win)
Outstanding Set Design in a Play: Peter & Margery Spack – Brighton Beach Memoirs (Win)
Outstanding Production of a Comedy: Brighton Beach Memoirs (Win)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy: Will Bonfiglio – Fully Committed (Win)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Laurie McConnell – Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Chuck Brinkley – Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy: Jane Paradise – Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy: Jacob Flekier – Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Director of a Comedy: Alan Knoll – Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Michele Friedman Siler – Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy: Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Director of a Drama: Jacqueline Thompson – District Merchants
Outstanding Set Design in a Play: David Blake – District Merchants
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play: Sean M. Savoie – District Merchants
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy: District Merchants
Outstanding Production of a Comedy: District Merchants
Outstanding Director of a Comedy: Ellie Schwetye – Fully Committed
Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Kareem Deanes – Fully Committed
Outstanding Production of a Comedy: Fully Committed
2019 Circle Awards: 11 Nominations & 1 Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Katy Keating – Life Sucks (Win)
2017 Circle Awards: 8 Nominations & 3 Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Drama: Jacqueline Thompson – Intimate Apparel (Win)
Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama: Intimate Apparel (Win)
Outstanding Scenic Design in a Play: Peter & Margery Spack – Intimate Apparel (Win)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama: Chauncy Thomas – Intimate Apparel
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama: Linda Kennedy – Intimate Apparel
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama: Andrea Purnell – Intimate Apparel
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play: Sean Savoie – Intimate Apparel
2016 Circle Awards: 9 Nominations & 2 Awards
Outstanding Production of a Drama: Old Wicked Songs (Win)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama: Lavonne Byers – Golda’s Balcony (Win)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama: J. Samuel Davis – Driving Miss Daisy
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama: Eric Dean White – Driving Miss Daisy
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama: Will Bonfiglio – Old Wicked Songs
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Shanara Gabrielle – Yentl
Outstanding Director of a Drama: Tim Ocel – Old Wicked Songs
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Drama: Peter & Margery Spack – Golda’s Balcony
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical: Peter & Margery Spack – Yentl
2015 Circle Awards: 8 Nominations
2014 Circle Awards: 12 Nominations
2013 Circle Awards: 10 Nominations
2012 Circle Awards: 11 Nominations & 5 Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy: Meghan Maguire, Talley’s Folly
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Comedy: Nathan Schroeder, Talley’s Folly
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy: Jacob and Jack
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Drama: Michael Sullivan, Way to Heaven
Outstanding Sound Design in a Drama: Robin Weatherall, Way to Heaven
2011 Kevin Kline Awards: 14 Nominations and 6 Awards
Outstanding Production of a Play: Awake and Sing! and The Immigrant
Outstanding Ensemble Play: The Immigrant
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:Bob Thibaut: The Immigrant
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Peggy Billo: The Immigrant
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play: Gary Wayne Barker: The Immigrant
Outstanding Set Design: Scott C. Neale: Awake and Sing!
Previous Kevin Kline Awards
2007: Outstanding Ensemble: Kindertransport
2007: Outstanding Ensemble: Women’s Minyan
2007: Outstanding Supporting Actor: John Kinney, What’s Wrong with This Picture?
2007: Outstanding Director: Doug Finlayson, Kindertransport
2006: Outstanding Actress: Donna Weinsting, From Door to Door
2005: Outstanding Supporting Actor: Gary Wayne Barker, Driving Miss Daisy
2007 St. Louis Magazine A-List Award: Best Theatre Company
Accolades
Chris Gibson’s Best of 2015
Best Musicals: My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding
Best Dramas: Imagining Madoff
Best Comedies: The Sunshine Boys & Bad Jews
Best Actor in a Drama: Jerry Vogel, Imagining Madoff
Best Actress in a Comedy: Em Piro, Bad Jews
Best Actor in a Comedy: Peter Mayer, The Sunshine Boys
2015 Broadwayworld.com Annual Voting
The New Jewish Theatre’s 2014 production of The Diary of Anne Frank won five awards
Best Drama – additional award recipients were:
Best Director, Gary Barker
Best Actress Sam Moyer
Best Supporting Actor Terry Meddows
Best Supporting Actress Amy Loui
Mark Bretz Best of 2015
In His 10 Best Productions of 2015:
#5: “Sight Unseen” at New Jewish Theatre. Playwright Donald Margulies knows how to dig into the marrow of relationships, something he does in “Sight Unseen” with pinpoint precision. New Jewish Theatre’s production about a successful artist’s meeting with his former lover and her husband was a moving, melancholy account of how relationships change with the sifting sands of time, sometimes not pleasantly so. Under Bobby Miller’s incisive direction, a quartet of players — Aaron Orion Baker, Emily Baker, David Wassilak and Em Piro — in this achingly effective drama led their audience along the myriad paths of their characters’ complicated hearts. Sight Unseen cleverly depicted how art can imitate life but not always atone for it.
Additionally, Mr. Bretz singled out for Honorable Mention:
New Jewish Theatre offered one of the most arresting works of the year with a riveting presentation of “Bad Jews,” a searing, seething, knock-down battle of wits and withering verbal attacks between twenty-something cousins that left a tiny but sterile apartment a war zone strewn with emotions laid raw like so many bayonet wounds. Sydnie Grosberg Ronga’s full-force direction guided a superior cast consisting of Antonio Rodriguez, Em Piro, Pete Winfrey and Taylor Steward.
Judith Newmark’s annual “Judy Awards” for 2015
Best villain: Bobby Miller, Imagining Madoff
Best supporting actress: Em Piro, Sight Unseen
Theatre Staff
Artistic Director, Rebekah Scallet
Production Manager, Sean Seifert
Box Office Manager, Emily Strunk
Support the New Jewish Theatre
Our community understands the importance and power of the theatre. We have gathered for years to share stories to celebrate our community, to be changed by the communal experience of theatre and to imagine a better world through art. Your gift helps us continue that tradition.
None of the work we do would be possible without the extraordinary support of our sponsors. More than ever, our community is hungry for the joy and connection theatre provides. Our supporters continue to ensure that New Jewish Theatre produces fantastic and moving art.
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