Reston Community Players Wins 13 WATCH Awards

Reston Community Players was honored with 13 WATCH awards Sunday evening at the Birchmere in Alexandria. WATCH, the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors, is an organization founded for the adjudication and presentation of annual awards recognizing artistic and technical excellence in community theater throughout the metropolitan Washington D.C. area. celebrates A total of 99 productions (33 musicals, 66 plays) were adjudicated in 2017.

After earning a record 37 nominations, it was a good WATCH year for Reston Community Players, as musicals Aida and Rock of Ages took a combined 13 wins. Rock of Ages, the 80s-themed rock musical, won top honors as Outstanding Musical and honors for Direction and Choreography, among others. Aida, the story of a forbidden love set in ancient Egypt and with music from pop legend Elton John, earned best featured actress and set design. Both productions were honored repeatedly for technical excellence.

"All of us at RCP are truly honored by this recognition from the WATCH community," said Jolene Vettese, President of Reston Community Players. "Every RCP production is a dedicated labor of love for dozens of talented volunteers on and off stage. We are thrilled that their work has been celebrated and hope they are all as proud as I am of what they've accomplished."

The complete list of Reston Community Players' WATCH wins is as follows:

· Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: Andrew JM Regiec and Dan Widerski - Aida

· Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical TIE:

o Dan Widerski - Aida

o Dan Widerski - Rock of Ages

· Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Musical: Jennifer Lambert - Rock of Ages

· Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Mary Jo Ford - Aida

· Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical: Ken & Patti Crowley - Aida

· Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Seth Sacher - Rock of Ages

· Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Charlotte Marson - Aida

· Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: Kat Brais and Molly Hicks Larson - Rock of Ages

· Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Claire O'Brien Jeffrey as "Amneris" - Aida

· Outstanding Choreography: Christopher Dore - Rock of Ages

· Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Joshua Redford - Rock of Ages

· Outstanding Musical: Rock of Ages - Producer Jocelyn Steiner, Stage Manager Colleen Stock

View the complete list of 2018 WATCH Award winners.

Reston Community Players (RCP) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that has been producing quality theatrical productions since 1966. The Reston Community Players has brought to the public a variety of theatrical experiences over the years and is committed to theatrical excellence and professionalism through the promotion of diverse, creative experiences for the education and cultural enrichment of the community. Partially funded by grants from Fairfax County in cooperation with the Arts Council of Fairfax County, RCP welcomes all and offers something for everyone. Visit RCP online at www.restonplayers.org.