Can you believe I’ve been doing this for over three years now? Behold my picks for the best in Olympia theater this calendar year, culled from more than 30 reviews. Once again, performers are listed in alphabetical order, with winning choices printed in bold. This was another banner year for supporting actors, but not so much for lead performances. That’s a function of the scripts being chosen far more than any dearth of winning talent. It was a stellar year for directors, as well; if anything, I could’ve expanded that list of nominees by three or four names without batting an eye. Congratulations to all the nominees, and break legs in 2013!

Actor

Mark Alford, Bucket of Blood
Kate Arvin, The Wind in the Willows
Miles Forte, Les Miserables
Helen Harvester, Enchanted April
Glen Haw, Hello, Dolly!
Jason Haws, The Seafarer
Brian Jansen, Much Ado About Nothing
Kathryn Philbrook, Much Ado About Nothing
Tom Sanders, The Americans Across the Street
Elizabeth Shé, Distracted

Director

Terence Artz, Much Ado About Nothing
Pug Bujeaud, Titus Andronicus
Heidi Fredericks, Hair
Deane Shellman, Goodnight Moon
Scot Whitney, The Seafarer

Supporting Cast

Sam Cori, Bucket of Blood
Antonía Darlene, A Christmas Survival Guide
Christian Doyle, Summer Session: Set in the '70s
Daniel Guttenberg, The Seafarer
Lake Konopaski, As You Like It
Ian McNeely, Hamlet
Lark Orvick-Moore, The Full Monty
Dennis Rolly, The Seafarer
Walayn Sharples, Enchanted April
Priscilla Zal, Titus Andronicus

Show

Distracted
Goodnight Moon
Much Ado About Nothing
The Seafarer
Titus Andronicus

Tech

The Americans Across the Street
Animal Farm
A Christmas Survival Guide
Goodnight Moon
Much Ado About Nothing

LINK: The Carvies for 2011

LINK: The Carvies for 2010