Last night150 nominated actors, directors,producers,designers,andchoreographers gathered atThe Hamiltonfor theHelen Hayes Awards Nominations Celebration, applauding all the achievements before the April 8 awards. We snapped theatreWashington CEOLinda Levy Grossman, nominee for lead actor in Arena Stage'sPullman Porter BluesLarry Marshall, and Events by Design CEONancy Shaffer.

The celebration was hosted by the theatreWashington Board of Directors, which includesVictor Shargai. Hes with outstanding lead actor nominee for non-resident productionMichael Benzand outstanding resident play nomineeJanetGriffin.

From 84 eligible theatres and 201 productions, 59 productions from 25 theatres were nominated across 26 categories for excellence on Washington stages. Here, theatreWashington Board member Dorothy McSweeny, Bill McSweeny, and Lauren Howard.