New Minowa Players Earn Seven Awards, Special Recognition at State Theatre Gala

Every dollar helps Decorah News chase down the truth on Water Street, not just headlines. Give today. DECORAH — The New Minowa Players received seven awards and a special recognition at the annual gala of the Iowa Community Theatre Association, marking a record-setting year for the local theater group. Awards recognized productions from the 2025 season, including the spring play A Midsummer Night's Dream and the summer musical The Pirates of Penzance. From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cydney Weitzel was named best leading actor in a play. Tanya O'Connor received best costumer of a play, and Sheryl Scheffert earned best sound effects designer of a play. From The Pirates of Penzance, Mike Ellingsen was awarded best music director. O'Connor also received best costumer of a musical. Mikayla Hiner was named best supporting actor in a musical. The Major General's Daughters ensemble received best ensemble in a musical. The group includes Hiner, Emily Schmidt Krug, Sarah Brandt, Gwen Thompson, Eva Fassbinder-Brummel, Lilly Hemesath, Kaya Johnson, Karin Martin-Hiner, Melody Reese and Lieba Louisa Schwalbe. Musicians who performed in the pit orchestra for The Pirates of Penzance also received special recognition, although no formal award category exists for that contribution. Scheffert accepted awards on behalf of recipients who were not present at the gala, which was held as part of the association's annual conference hosted by the Webster City Community Theatre. "I always look forward to the conference, with opportunities to learn new things in workshops and to catch up with people we are getting to know," Scheffert said. "I love celebrating that theater is happening all around the state, and hearing about the joys and challenges that specific groups are willing to share." She said the awards gala is a highlight of the weekend. "My favorite part of the gala is that people genuinely celebrate each other's accomplishments," Scheffert said. "Of course it's fun to be the organization called to the stage, and it was a big year for New Minowa Players, which has never happened before." Sheryl Scheffert, best sound effects designer of a play. New Minowa Players Scheffert emphasized the collaborative nature of theatre. "Part of the joy is knowing that for every award received there are many people who helped create that success," she said. "Theatre doesn't happen in a vacuum, and although many awards are given to a single person, the person receiving the award knows without a doubt that it is the community that made it possible." Weitzel said the recognition followed an especially enjoyable experience in her role as Puck. "I haven't had that much fun with a role in a long time," Weitzel said. "Being recognized for it was just extra icing on an already delicious cake. Many thanks to director David Mendez and the rest of the cast and crew, and to everyone who makes NMP so great." O'Connor said the recognition reflects the contributions of many volunteers. "It's an honor even to be nominated," O'Connor said. "I'm grateful to everyone I get to work with, especially volunteers such as the Martinsen-Burrell family and Diane Rarick, who give their time to NMP on a regular basis." Members of the award-winning ensemble also pointed to collaboration as key to their success. "During rehearsals, the sisters were like, 'guys, we've got to move as one,' and then we really tried to gel together," Fassbinder-Brummel said. "I'm so proud of us." "I hadn't done an operetta before, so it was a different style for me and a lot of fun," she said. "And it's always fun to play sisters with my mom." Ellingsen appreciated the recognition extended beyond the listed categories. "I'm delighted that the orchestra was also recognized," he said. "The adjudicators go into a show looking especially at the categories nominated, but sometimes they'll notice something that wasn't nominated that they feel deserves recognition." The Pirates of Penzance pit, special recognition. New Minowa Players "It's starting to become a novelty to have a full, legit pit," Martin-Hiner added. "For them to be specially recognized is so exciting." The Iowa Community Theatre Association supports community theatre organizations across the state through workshops, networking opportunities and annual recognition of productions and participants. Full list of 2025 awards of excellence winners found here. Your weekly dose of local life! Subscribe to the free newsletter and enjoy news, analysis, and stories you'll actually look forward to reading.