Last night we joined a large and happy crowd to celebrate the exciting DC theatre scene at the 30th Annual Helen Hayes Awards at the National Building Museum. We snapped Helen Hayes Awards founder Bonnie Nelson Schwartz and legendary actor Stacy Keach, currently wowing audiences as Falstaff in Henry IV at the Shakespeare Theatre.

Everyone loved the new format where guests could enjoy the buffets and bars while watching the stars receive their awards. Here, Signature Theatre's Maggie Boland, Eunice Bae and Diana Huey with Kennedy Center's John Hance.

There were 155 nominated artists and productions, and the evening moved quickly thorough three acts with songs, videos, and award presentations, punctuated by intermissions for schmoozing. Here, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center exec director Martin Wollesen, Serve DC's Clarence Fluker, and DCCAH chair Judith Terra.

Helen Hayes' daughter-in-law HB (which may stand for Helen Beth and may stand for Honey Bear) McArthur and her son Jamie are bookended by Arlie Schardt and Awards founding exec director Betti Brown.

Former Fannie Mae chief Jim Johnson and True Theatregoer founder John Hauge, whose website allows viewers to rate plays, similar to those on yelp for restaurants.

Ed Gero, 14-time nominee and four-time Helen Hayes Award winner for his work in Shakespeare productions, emceed the first act of the evening. He’s with lead actor nominee Steve Pickering for the Shakespeare Theatre's Wallenstein, theatreWashington CEO Linda Levy, Maggie Pickering, and longtime star Stacy Keach.

TheatreWashington board member Glenn Howard and his wife Lauren flank best actress nominee for Metro Stage’s Ghost-Writer Susan Lynskey.