Omaha, Nebraska — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption to Omaha’s creative communities. So, it is with great honor that we recognize and celebrate the performing artists, visual artists, and musicians who have accomplished so much in these difficult times.
The Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards announced nominees for the 16th annual OEA-Awards on Friday, Nov. 5, in a series of Facebook Live streams cohosted with BFF in Benson outside of The Sydney, Ted & Wally’s, and Petshop. Presenters included John-Paul Gurnett (with BFF) and OEAA board members Aly Peeler, Tim Guthrie, and Trac Schacht. Greg Brown of the OEAA board recorded the videos.
Live recordings of the announcement videos can be found on the Facebook event page for the 16th Annual OEAA Nominee Reveal: https://fb.me/e/1hLDwffY3
Nominees for the 16th Annual Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards
Congratulations to all of the nominees!
A full list of current nominees is available at:
https://www.oea-awards.org/current-nominees/
Music
Outstanding Rock
- Absinthe Allie
- Deviant
- Gallivant
- Garst
- Names Without Numbers
- The Real Zebos
Outstanding Hard Rock
- Arson City
- Awaiting Eli
- Beast Eagle
- Evandale
- The Impulsive
Outstanding Punk
- Chasing Chance
- Cordial Spew
- Graveyard Smash
- Jocko
- Las Cruxes
- No Thanks
Outstanding Metal
- Devil In The Details
- From This Day Forward
- Molten
- Silence is Madness
- Stronghold
- The Clincher
- The Tale Untold
Outstanding Pop
- 24Tye
- Mad Darling
- Nation
- Radio Jamz
- Riké
- SAND
- The Rare Candies
Outstanding Alternative/Indie
- And How
- Bach Mai
- Bokr Tov
- Dirt House
- Infinite Video
- Little Rooms
- Magú
- Those Far Out Arrows
Outstanding DJ
- Crabrangucci
- DJ Angie Spence
- DJ Chevy
- DJ Shor-T
- Kethro
- SharkWeek
- werdisbond
Outstanding Americana/Folk
- Aly Peeler
- Andre Vander Velde
- Charlie & Lucy
- Corey & Carrie Ann
- Jeremy Mercy and the Rapture Orphans
- Matt Cox
- Over The River
- The Bedrock
- The Wildwoods
Outstanding Country
- Daniel C. & The Hometown Heroes
- Finding Dixie
- Kaylyn Sahs
- Lloyd McCarter & The Honky Tonk Revival
- Nick Rucker
- Pony Creek
- Sack of Lions
Outstanding R&B
- Andrew Bailie
- Dominique Morgan
- Enjoli & Timeless
- Myles Jasnowski
- The Fey
- Travis
- Tylynn
Outstanding Soul
- Big Wade & Black Swan Theory
- Grace Giebler
- Jaguar James
- Jus.B
Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap
- Guilty Pleasure
- J. Crum
- Jay Influential
- King Iso
- Komatose
- Marcey Yates
- Neves
- Taebo Tha Truth
Outstanding Blues
- Big Daddy Caleb & The Chargers
- Nita and the Pipe Smokin’ Charlies
- Sebastian Lane Band
- Stan & The Chain Gang
- Steve Lovett Blues
- Swampboy Blues Band
- The Rex Granite Band featuring Sarah Benck
Outstanding Jazz
- Blake DeForest
- Chad Stoner
- David Hawkins
- Fission Quartet
- Luigi Inc
- Matt Wallace
- Mitch Towne
Outstanding Progressive Rock/Experimental/EDM
- Flux Amuck
- Glow In The Dark
- Lucida Dark
- Mr. E & the Stringless Kite
- Plack Blague
- Solid Goldberg
- Voydblossom
Outstanding World
- Alexis Arai
- Andy William & the Nebraska All Stars
- Edem Soul Music
- Esencia Latina Band
- Kusher Snazzy
- Rhythm Collective
Outstanding Cover Band
- Daniel and the Deliverance
- Lemon Fresh Day
- PetRock
- Secret Weapon
- Simplicated
- Tara Vaughan, She Rocks
- The Damones
- The Downtown Collective
Album of the Year
- Andrea von Kampen, That Spell
- Bach Mai, What You’ve Given
- Dereck Higgins, Future Still
- Evandale, All Or Nothing
- Jay Influential, The Wolf We Feed
- Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, Natural Born Hustler
- Marcey Yates & Xoboi, Culxr House:Freedom Summer
- Matt Cox, Let the Pigs Fly
- The Fey, Palm Tree Shade
- Those Far Out Arrows, Fill Yer Cup
Artist of the Year
- Andrea von Kampen
- Belles
- Dominique Morgan
- Edem Soul Music
- Hector Anchondo
- Jocelyn
- King Iso
- Marcey Yates
Outstanding New Artist
- Beast Eagle
- Chasing Chance
- Ebba Rose
- Emmy Jo
- Facade Queen
- Joe & Tay
- Light Speed Highway
- Midwest Coast
- Owen Justice
- Wyrmwood
Outstanding Recording Studio
- Another Recording Company
- Anytime Studios
- Coyote Face Recording
- Make Believe Studios
- Silver Street
Outstanding Live Music Sound Engineer
- Ben Stratton
- Charlie Ames
- Dan Brennan
- Doug Decker
- Dylan Parker
- Ian Aeillo
- Mark Winkelbauer
- Randen Scott
Visual Arts
Outstanding Visual Artist
- Charley Friedman
- Dan Crane
- Nick Miller
- Pamela Conyers-Hinson
- Patty Talbert
- Sarah Rowe
- Shawnequa Linder
Outstanding Emerging Visual Artist
- Bekah Jerde
- Butch Dick
- Dany Reyes
- Farah AlTwal
- Jada Messick
- Kelsey Kowalski
- Peyton Pearson
Outstanding New Media Artist
- Alex Jacobsen
- Allegra Hangen
- David Carney
- Reagan Pufall
- John-Paul Gurnett
- Joshua Foo
- Virgilio Rodriguez
Outstanding 2-D Artist
- Christina Narwicz
- Jenna Johnson
- Katie B Temple
- Miles Landaw
- Nancy Friedemann-Sanchez
- Patty Talbert
- Sarah Rowe
Outstanding 3-D Artist
- Charley Friedman
- John Dennison
- Larry Buller
- Michael Elizabeth Johnson
- Pamela Conyers-Hinson
- Peyton Pearson
- Todd McCollister
Outstanding Group Show
- 2021 Nebraska Artist Biennial, Gallery 1516
- Celestial Real Estate, Generator Space
- Emerging Artists, Gallery 1516 x Amplify Arts
- Gay, From a Distance, Petshop, Curated by Walker Green
- Heart of the Beast, Petshop, Curated by Kim Darling
- Joyous Occasion, Modern Arts Midtown, Catherine Ferguson, Barbara Kendrick, Chris Cassimatis
- LOUVRE IT or Leave It, MaMO Gallery, Curated by Caitlin Little
- The People, The Human Beings, Generator Space, Curated by Nathaniel Ruleaux and The Unceded Artists Collective (featuring Sarah Rowe and Steve Tamayo)
Outstanding Solo Show
- Ang Bennett: Colored Black, Petshop
- Charley Friedman: Soundtracks for the Present Future, Bemis Center
- Christan Gauthier: Life is Too Short and Sad to Wait for an Acceptable Excuse to Draw Shitty Boats, Project Project
- Christina Narwicz: Natural, Anderson O’Brien
- Larry Buller: Fetish, Garden of the Zodiac Gallery
- Nick Miller: Zebra with a Sunburn, Project Project
Outstanding 2-Person Show
- Shawnequa Linder & Erin Blayney: New Works, Citylight Arts Project
- Trudy Swanson & Shaun Ilahi: LAYERS, Petshop
- Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez & Charley Friedman, Garden of the Zodiac Gallery
- Dar VandeVoort & Michelle Daisley Moffitt: Out of Bounds, Hot Shops
- Rebecca Hermann & Jim Butkus: Forestry, Anderson O’Brien
- Katie B Temple & Sophie Newell: What’s Left Behind, Citylight Arts Project
Outstanding Public Art
- 24th Ave. & Farnam St. Mural Project: Trudy Swanson & Alex Jochim (Sarah Hummel Jones, Brian Tait, Ally Nelson, Sarah Rowe, John-Paul Gurnett, Mary Ensz)
- Cammy for Council Public Art: Watie White & Ang Bennett (Mary Ensz, Sheree LeShawn, Bart Vargas, Ilaamen Pelshaw, Bekah Jerde)
- Values Mosaic: Kent Bellows Mentoring Program, Tri-Faith Initiative
- HOPE Mural: Millwork Commons, Anthony Peña
- Metro ORBT Murals (ART + INFRASTRUCTURE): Omaha By Design, Weston Thomson & Betni Kalk (Celeste Butler, Pamela Conyers-Hinson, Dan Crane, Tyler Emery, Linda M. García, Rebecca Harrison, Gerard Pefung, Anthony Peña, Dany Reyes, Sarah Rowe, Patty Talbert, Steve Tamayo, Aaryon Bird Williams, Sandra Williams, Hugo Zamorano)
- Mural Cubes: Omaha Summer Arts Festival (Richard Harrison, Nick Miller, Ilaamen Pelshaw at 13th & Howard; Hugo A. Zamorano, Magdalena Murals, Cathy and Jeff Ballard at 13th & Mike Fahey; Rebecca Dawn Harrison, Brittney Thompson, Stephen Kavanaugh at 15th & Mike Fahey; Holly Carey, Jair Rodriguez, Christine Steele at 16th & Dodge; Mike Giron, Nick Clark, Gloria Bautista at 24th & Lake; Avery Davis, Joy Cotton, Taylor Rayne Daniels at 24th & N; Arbor Street Studios, Kelsey Kowalski, Sophie Newell at Midtown Crossing)
- Pride 2021: Open Call for Portraits, Joshua Foo, The Union for Contemporary Art
Outstanding Presentation in a Non-Traditional Format
- Daily Drawings: Bart Vargas
- Drive It ‘Til the Wheels Fall Off: Curated by Todd McCollister, Quartermaster
- Fantastical Folklore: Lauritzen Gardens
- Little Reflections: Patty Talbert, The Union for Contemporary Art
- Studio 55: MaMO Gallery at Maha Festival
- Tessellation: KANEKO
- thebeltwithwhichihungmyself: Tyler Swain, MaMO Gallery
Performing Arts
Outstanding Musical
- Ain’t Misbehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, The Rose Theater
- Gutenberg! The Musical!, The Candy Project
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave On Productions
- The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
Outstanding Drama
- I Am My Own Wife, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Grounded, Omaha Community Playhouse
- It’s A Wonderful Life, The Rose Theater
- Making God Laugh, Florentine Players
- The Drawer Boy, Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Comedy
- Fully Committed, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
- The Game’s Afoot, Florentine Players
Outstanding Premiere of a New, Original, Local Script
- How to Build an Ark, Ellen Struve, The Rose Theater
- Temporary Insanity, Karen Schaeffer, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Unsex Me Here, Shakespeare, D. Scott Glasser, UNO Theatre
Outstanding Director (Play)
- Jon Flower, Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Jim McKain, Fully Committed, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Kimberly Faith Hickman, Grounded, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Molly Anderson, Making God Laugh, Florentine Players
- Matt Gutschick, How to Build an Ark, The Rose Theater
- Sarah Brown, R3³, BLUEBARN Theatre
Outstanding Director (Musical)
- Denise Chapman, Songs for a New World, UNO Theatre
- Kathy Tyree, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Kimberly Faith Hickman, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave On Productions
- Suzanne Withem, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Stephanie Jacobsen, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, The Rose Theater
- Todd Uhrmacher, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
Outstanding Actor (Play)
- Heather Wilhelm, Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Josh Peyton, Fully Committed, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Jonathan Berger, Dial M for Murder, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Leanne Hill Carlson, Grounded, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Marcel Daly, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Rose Theater
- Natalie Weiss, I Am My Own Wife, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Shelly Gushard, Making God Laugh, Florentine Players
Outstanding Actor (Musical)
- Anna Rebecca Felber, I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!, Lofte Community Theatre
- Bailey Carlson, The Last Five Years, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Chris Layne, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Dan Chevalier, Gutenberg! The Musical!, The Candy Project
- DJ Tyree, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Hannah Rembert, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Jesse White, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave On Productions
- Jon Flower, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor (Play)
- Amy Wagner, Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Don Harris, Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Dominique Morgan, For Black Trans Girls…A Choreo Poem, BLUEBARN Theatre
- Erik Quam, The Drawer Boy, Omaha Community Playhouse
- J.J. Davis, Becky’s New Car, Lofte Community Theatre
- Sherry Fletcher, Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor (Musical)
- Chloe Rosman, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- Evelyn Hill, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave On Productions
- Justin Parsley, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Jonathan Berger, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- Thomas Stoysich, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
Outstanding Performance Poet
- Clif Mason
- Devel Crisp
- Felicia Webster
- Matt Mason
- Paula Bell
- Ryan Boyland
- Trac Schacht
- Zedeka Poindexter
Outstanding Dance Production
- American Midwest Ballet: Going Solo
- Evergreen Dance Company: Gomer
- tbd. Dance Collective: Hidden Places, Making Space, Pavement
Outstanding Youth Performer
- Alexandra Zaleski, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Amy Wagner, Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Brinlee Roeder, A Christmas Carol, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Dominic Torres, A Christmas Carol, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Donovan Carr, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- Natalie Simons, Fiddler on the Roof Jr, Chanticleer Community Theater
- Nivi Varanasi, How to Build an Ark, The Rose Theater
Outstanding Comedian
- Ali Kareem
- Ben Webb
- Cameron Logsdon
- Carmela Anderson
- Felicity DuVall
- Tyler Walsh
Outstanding Comedy Ensemble
- Big Canvas
- Pandemic! @ The Disco
- The wUw Show
- Yer Mom’s Comedy Show
Outstanding Lighting Design
- Ben Stratton, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave On Productions
- Carol Wisner, Going Solo, American Midwest Ballet
- Homero Vela, Sunset to Starlight, BLUEBARN Theatre
- Jim Othuse, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Joey Lorincz, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- Joey Lorincz, Almost Maine, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Steven L. Williams, Songs for a New World, UNO Theatre
Outstanding Prop Design
- Chloe Fulbright, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Darin Kuehler, I Am My Own Wife, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Darin Kuehler & Greg Combs, The Drawer Boy, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Devon Denn-Young, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, The Rose Theater
- Jerry Murtaugh, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
Outstanding Scenic Design
- Derek Bonin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Jason Jamerson, Unsex Me Here, Shakespeare, UNO Theatre
- Jim Othuse, I Am My Own Wife, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Jim Othuse, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Jim Othuse, The Drawer Boy, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Joey Lorincz, Almost Maine, Bellevue Little Theatre
- Joey Lorincz, Temporary Insanity, Bellevue Little Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
- Amanda Fehlner, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave On Productions
- Bradley Pesarchick, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Charlene Willoughby, Unsex Me Here, Shakespeare, UNO Theatre
- Deborah Overturff, Going Solo, American Midwest Ballet
- Leah Skorupa-Mezger, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- Lindsay Pape, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Zach Kloppenborg, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, The Rose Theater
Outstanding Sound Design
- Bill Kirby, Songs for a New World, UNO Theatre
- Christy Hernandez, Penguin Problems, The Rose Theater
- Dan Brennan, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave On Productions
- John Gibilisco, Fully Committed, Omaha Community Playhouse
- John Gibilisco & Jay Hanson, Grounded, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Tim Burkhart, The Last 5 Years, Omaha Community Playhouse
Outstanding Choreographer
- Debbie Massey-Schneweis, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- Kimberly Faith Hickman, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Rave On Productions
- Michelle Garrity, The Last 5 Years, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Nadia Ra’Shaun, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Ray Mercer, Ain’t MisBehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Sue Gillespie Booton, Penguin Problems, The Rose Theater
Outstanding Music Direction
- Boston Reid, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Papillion La Vista Community Theatre
- Chris Ebke, The Addams Family, Ralston Community Theatre
- Hal France, Songs for a New World, UNO Theatre
- Jerry Brabec, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, The Rose Theater
- Jim Boggess, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Omaha Community Playhouse
- Liz Stinman, Before After, BLUEBARN Theatre
- Matthew McGuigan, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rave on Productions
How OEAA Nomination and Voting Works
The Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards collected public nominations on its website between Sept. 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021, for the upcoming 16th Annual OEA-Awards Show. After public voting closed on Aug. 31, the accounting firm Dickinson & Clark PC tallied the nominees in each category (Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Music). The ranked public results went on to genre review committees for vetting and preparation of final nominee lists. OEAA Academy members will receive their ballots by email in the coming week. The deadline for Academy members to vote is Nov. 30; these votes will determine trophy winners in each category. The winners will be announced during a free live stream of the awards ceremony on Feb. 20 via Facebook Live and YouTube.
Upcoming OEAA Events
Visual Arts Showcase: The Roberta & Bob Rogers Gallery (RBRG) will again host a showcase of visual arts nominees. The showcase will open Friday, Feb. 4, two weeks before 16th Annual OEA-Awards Show, and it will remain up until Saturday, March 5. Interested visual artists may email gallery director John Rogers at jrogers@gallery72.com or the OEAA Board of Directors at oea.awards@gmail.com for more information about participating in the showcase. RBRG is located in the space formerly known as Gallery 72 (at 1806 Vinton St.).
16th Annual Award Show: Out of precaution for the ongoing pandemic, the OEA-Awards will host a virtual awards ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. We will be streaming on Facebook Live and YouTube. Follow the Facebook event page for more information. Thanks to Bergman Incentives for sponsoring trophies again this year.
Follow the Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards online for updates:
- Website: https://www.oea-awards.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oeaawards/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oeaawards/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/oeaawards
Support
Please help us recognize and celebrate local music, performing art, and visual art. The OEAA organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Your tax-deductible donations help us to continue this mission. As an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, we rely on the support of our community to continue our efforts. If your organization is interested in a sponsorship, please contact us. We offer many opportunities to get involved. We value our partners, and so do the artists! See our Share Omaha profile at: https://shareomaha.org/nonprofit/omaha-entertainment-and-arts-awards