(PC: Steve Leiken)

Written by Patrick Chavis

The Orange County Theatre Guild Awards put on their 3rd Annual Awards, celebrating theater in Orange County, CA. The event took place in The Samueli Theater at the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa on May 13th. Before the show, many of the talented nominees graced the Orange Carpet (not actually Orange) before the festivities unfolded. Here are a few of the styles people wore on one of Orange County theatre’s biggest nights of the year!

Far from Clybourne Park

Cody Aaron Hanify on the Orange Carpet.

2024 OCTG Outstanding Lead Performance in Play winner Cody Aaron Hanify on the Orange Carpet in a midnight blue suit with a navy Lorenzo style. 

The Host and Kataoka

From left: Brooke Aston Harper and Kristofer Kataokai (Photo by Steve Leiken)

Brea’s Curtis Theatre Manager Kris Kataoka with OCTG Host Brooke Aston Harper. Harper is in a light pink outfit from JC Penney. “It was the most comfortable dress I have ever worn, and while it didn’t have pockets, I got it on sale!”, said Harper from an Instagram message. Kataoka is in a navy blue Ralph Lauren suit accented with a dark red undershirt.

The Shape of Things (No Square theatre) Actress Abigail Cox stylish in Mint

Photo Credit: Erica Cox

2024 OCTG Nominee for Best Lead Performance Abigail Cox, who performed in Neil LaButes’s The Shape of Things at the No Square Theatre last year, was dressed in a flowing mint B. Darlin dress.

OC THEATRE VETERANS

From left: Christopher Spencer, Kerri Hellmuth, and Kalinda Gray (Photo by Francis Gacad)

Kerri Hellmuth in a Morgan Jacquard Mini Dress from Morning Lavender in Tustin. PC: William Hellmuth

2024 OCTG Outstanding Properties Design winner Kerri Hellmuth wearing a vintage-looking Morgan Jacquard Mini Dress from Morning Lavender in Tustin. On the right is 2023 OCR Award winner Kalinda Gray in purple, and on the left, in a suit and tie, is the Maverick Theater’s own Christopher Spencer.

Sibella & Monty Back in Action

2024 Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical winner Paul Zelhart’s black and burgundy suit has us forgetting why are all the D’Ysquiths dying. And once again, Kalinda Gray in purple.

The Larking House Goes Casual!

On the left, OCR Best Young Actress 2023, Sidney Aaron Aptaker, gives off rock star vibes with black slacks, an open white dress shirt from Zara and a vest from Design by Olivia. Larking House Resident Artist Emily Neva Boliver is in a blue piece with see-through long sleeves. OCTG Outstanding Production of a Musical winner Spike Pulice is in long grey slacks, black jacket, and blue tie. Larking House’s Scenic Painter and Properties Manager, Kate Gallran, is in a purple piece with a floral print. Larking House Founder Lizzy McCabe is in the long red dress with floral prints as well. Floral prints seem to be a common theme on this carpet. Last, but definitely not least, Matt B. Caballero looks like someone from the 80s with a thick black jacket and silver slacks.

Green is Good!

From Left to Right: Katherine Chatman, Sarah Pierce, Amanda Godoy, Charis Tshihmba, and Bryce Hamilton. PC: Matt Takahashi

On the left, actress Katherine Chatman is wearing a ruffled green farmer dress from Hill House. Sarah Pierce from Chance Theater’s Secret Garden the Musical with this red one-piece from Jason Wu. In the middle, 2023 OCR Best Actress in a Musical Amanda Godoy represents “In the Green” in a green one-piece with a V-neck short flared sleeve and a tiered belted ruffle hem from Dokotoo. Charis Tshihmba from Avenue Q (Wayward Artist) is wearing a light purple two-piece with a flower design. Was this planned? Bryce Hamilton is also in green with a HipGlamp dress.

The Shape of Things cast and Director with the Classy Fits

Cast of The Shape of Things on the OCTG Orange Carpet. PC: Erica Cox

OCTG nominees for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Abigail Cox and Dane Hobrecht with Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play nominees Griffin Glenn and Kristin Cortines with their director Ella Wyatt posing for the Orange Carpet at the 2024 OCTG Awards. Cox wore a flowing mint B. Darlin dress. Glenn, on the right, wore a Calvin Klein suit with a red tie and vest to finish off the outfit. Cortines wore a white cream-colored Rosetta dress from Petal & Pup (it will be doubling as a commencement dress as she will be graduating soon from the University of California, Irvine). Hobrecht goes simple with a suit jacket and slacks.

Jane Doe’s second act in Red

From left: Ron Hasting and Em Flosi (Photo by Francis Gacad)

2024 Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical Winner Actor Em Flosi from Ride the Cyclone at Chance Theatre stuns in a velvet-red Emmaline Formal Satin Bustier dress from Windsor.

The Revolutionist Director in Black

PC: Robert Edward

The Revolutionist director Amanda Hallman is wearing a black, lady vintage dress.

My favorite of the night would be a tie between Kerri Hellmuth Morgan Jacquard’s Mini Dress and Kristin Cortines’s elegant but relaxed dress from Petal & Pup. Congrats to all the winners, the nominees and all of the people who make theatre happen in Orange County.

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