Bringing Live Theatre to McHenry County Since 1967

Award Winners

Heart & Soul Awards

At the conclusion of each Theatre 121 production, two individuals are recognized with the Heart Award and the Soul Award: honors that celebrate the spirit, dedication, and collaborative passion that define community theatre. These awards carry forward the legacy of our founding companies: the Heart Award from Woodstock Musical Theatre Company and the Soul Award from TownSquare Players. Today, Theatre 121 proudly presents both, preserving a meaningful tradition that connects our past to our present.

Recipients may come from any area of a production, including cast, crew, orchestra, or production staff. These honors are not given for popularity or performance alone, but for embodying the values that sustain our artistic community: commitment, teamwork, enthusiasm, generosity of spirit, and a shared belief that the magic of theatre is created together. Each season, these awards recognize the individuals whose contributions ignite the spark that lives at the core of Theatre 121.

Heart Award Recipients

Season 6: 2025-2026

2026 – Kelsey Medcalf, “Singin’ in the Rain”
2025 – Amanda Uttech, “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol”
2025 – Matt Zurawski, “Beetlejuice Jr.”

Season 5: 2024-2025

2025 – Heidi Sommers, “The Prom”
2025 – Avery Harvey, “The Three Musketeers”
2025 – Jared Ritter, “Groundhog Day”
2024 – Jeffrey T. Graf, “A Christmas Story”

Season 4: 2023-2024

2024 – Norgie Montes De Oca Metzinger, “Sweeney Todd”
2024 – Christina Giorgi, “Steel Magnolias”
2023 – Becca Dinkheller, “White Christmas”
2023 – Tracy Parr, “Puffs”

Season 3: 2022-2023

2023 – Becca Dinkheller, “Rent”
2023 – Marisa Snook, “Murder on the Orient Express”
2023 – Allison McReynolds & Sue Falbo, “Seussical”
2022 – Val Gyorke, “A Christmas Carol”
2022 – Jeffrey T. Graf, “Cinderella”

Season 2: 2021-2022

2022 – Joel Bennett, “Urinetown”
2022 – Janelle Graf, “The Sound of Music”
2022 – Mike Thomas, “Noises Off”
2021 – Dylan Thomas, “Elf The Musical”
2021 – Tracey Lanman, “Deathtrap”

Season 1: 2019-2020

2020 – Kelsey Medcalf, “Matilda The Musical”
2019 – Thomas Neumann, “A Christmas Carol”
2019 – Becca Dinkheller, “Mamma Mia”

Soul Award Recipients

Season 6: 2025-2026

2026 – Andrew Luzwick, “Singin’ in the Rain”
2025 – Spencer White, “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol”
2025 – Annabella Torres, “Beetlejuice Jr.”

Season 5: 2024-2025

2025 – Justin Charles, “The Prom”
2025 – Marcus Pallan, “The Three Musketeers”
2025 – Will Roberts, “Groundhog Day”
2024 – Mary Torkelson, “A Christmas Story”

Season 4: 2023-2024

2024 – Sheri Warren, “Sweeney Todd”
2024 – Jeffrey T. Graf, “Steel Magnolias”
2023 – Mollie Peery, “White Christmas”
2023 – Tracey Lanman, “Puffs”

Season 3: 2022-2023

2023 – Billy Seger, “Rent”
2023 – Justin Charles, “Murder on the Orient Express”
2023 – Tracy Parr, “Seussical”
2022 – Jeff Cook, “A Christmas Carol”
2022 – Emily Kunash, “Cinderella”

Season 2: 2021-2022

2022 – Kelsey Medcalf, “Urinetown”
2022 – Carol Foreman, “The Sound of Music”
2022 – Marisa Snook, “Noises Off”
2021 – Jordan Rakittke, “Elf The Musical”
2021 – Elaine Cashmore, “Deathtrap”

Season 1: 2019-2020

2020 – Brit Hendrickson, “Matilda The Musical”
2019 – Christopher Plotts, “A Christmas Carol”
2019 – Janelle Graf, “Mamma Mia”

Volunteer Of The Year Award

At the conclusion of each season, Theatre 121 recognizes one exceptional individual with the Volunteer of the Year Award, presented during the Annual Membership Meeting. This honor celebrates the dedication, reliability, and generous spirit that volunteers bring to the organization throughout the year.

From supporting productions and special events to helping sustain the ongoing operations of the company, volunteers are the foundation of Theatre 121’s success. This award is given to someone whose hard work, commitment, and passion for community theatre have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the organization during the season. It reflects our deep appreciation for those who give their time and talents to help Theatre 121 grow and thrive.