2026 AWARD NOMINATIONS & WINNERS
We extend our deepest thanks to every artist, audience member, judge, and supporter who made this year’s
30 Minutes or Less Festival such a meaningful success. This festival exists to prove that powerful stories,
real connection, and exceptional theatre can happen in a short amount of time, and this year’s work fully
delivered on that promise.
We are proud to share that ticket sales doubled from last year, every show was seen by multiple judges, and the
overall caliber of work was widely praised across the community.
We offer sincere gratitude to our venue partner, Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre,
for providing a creative home and for their continued belief in artists and new work.
Most of all, we thank the artists. Your bravery, creativity, and generosity are the heartbeat of this festival.
We are honored to now present the 2026 nominees and award recipients below.
-Matthew Quinn & Bertha Rodriguez
Best Actor*
Gilded Spindle - Zander Raphael Winner(T)
Kitties in Space: Doomsday - Lena Bouton Winner(T)
Sweet Lorraine - Chris Devlin
Mr. Big - Brian Knudson
Sweet Lorraine - Cindy D'Andrea
Best Comedy
Kitties In Space: Doomsday - Winner
Mamma! I burnt the chicken!!!
Heartbreak Feels Good (in a place like this)
Mr. Big
(Un)Drinkable & Will's Dramaturge
Best Design
Mamma! I burnt the chicken!!! - Winner
Mr. Big
The Miraculous V: The Bizarre Awakening of a Virgin Witch
(Un)Drinkable & Will's Dramaturge
Sweet Lorraine
Best Director
Sweet Lorraine- Dana Schwartz - Winner
Emily F-ing Dickinson: America’s Favorite Recluse - Kelsey Miller
(Un)Drinkable & Will's Dramaturge - Bernadette Armstrong & Kim Hlavac
The Queen of Reading Gaol - Nixe Lightner
Nancy - Christopher Moncayo - Torres
Best Drama
Nancy - Winner
Sweet Lorraine
(Un)Drinkable & Will's Dramaturge
Counting the Hours
The Miraculous V: The Bizarre Awakening of a Virgin Witch
Best Ensemble
Kitties In Space: Doomsday - Winner
Mr. Big
Gilded Spindle
Blow the Man Down: A Sea Shanty Concert
Best Music & Sound Design
(Un)Drinkable & Will's Dramaturge - Winner
Blow the Man Down: A Sea Shanty Concert
Emily F-ing Dickinson: America’s Favorite Recluse
Best Out of Town Show
Heartbreak Feels Good (in a place like this) - Winner
Emily F-ing Dickinson: America’s Favorite Recluse
Counting the Hours
Best Solo*
Nancy - Winner
Autastic
The Queen of Reading Gaol
Heartbreak Feels Good (in a place like this)
The Miraculous V: The Bizarre Awakening of a Virgin Witch
Best Two-Hander
Sweet Lorraine - Winner
I Wrote You a Play / A Letter From the Grave
She Was Dick's Tracie
Best Writing
Autastic by Jeff Ahern - Winner
Sweet Lorraine Jan Buttram
Emily F-ing Dickinson: America’s Favorite Recluse Shelley Cooper
(Un)Drinkable & Will's Dramaturge Dana Hall & Rich Rubin
Against All Odds: Coincidence, Chaos, and Everyday Miracles - Lawrence Meyers
Coppola Acting Award
Counting the Hours- Juan Camillo - Winner
LA Hidden Gems Incandescence Award
Being the Perfect Woman - Winner
The Queen of Reading Gaol
I Wrote You a Play / A Letter From the Grave
Barbara Colby Award
Nancy - Winner
Namba Arts Award
Autastic - Winner
Nancy - Winner
Being the Perfect Woman - Winner
Blow the Man Down: A Sea Shanty Concert - Winner
Out of the Box
Heartbreak Feels Good in a Place Like This - Winner
Against All Odds
Bad Medicine
Being the Perfect Woman
Mamma! I Burnt the Chicken
P3 Cabaret/Musical Award
Heartbreak Feels Good (in a place like this) - Winner
Spirit of the Fest
June Neely - Winner
John Enright
Shelley Copper
Aditya Putcha
The Blockbuster Award
Sweet Lorraine - Winner
Mama! I Burnt the Chicken!! By Nina Childs
Gilded Spindle
Looking For Backup
Top of Festival
Nancy - Winner(T)
Kitties in Space : Doomsday - Winner(T)
Mamma! I burnt the chicken!!!
Against All Odds: Coincidence, Chaos, and Everyday Miracles
Sweet Lorraine
Top of Stage Takes
Being The Perfect Woman by Ashley Diaz - Winner
Autastic by Jeff Ahern
The Miraculous V: The Bizarre Awakening of a Virgin Witch by Chaotic Fable Ent.
Mama! I Burnt the Chicken!! By Nina Childs
Emily F—ing Dickinson: America’s Favorite Recluse by Shelley Cooper
Unplugged Award
The Queen of Reading Gaol - Winner
Stuck
She Was Dick's Tracie
www.stretchlab.com/location/hollywood
*Stretchlab Award for Best Actor and Solo