Image: Since its inception in 2003, the Suzi Bass Awards have stood as Atlanta’s premier recognition of excellence in professional theatre. Named in honor of the late Suzi Bass—a beloved Atlanta stage and screen actress—the awards were established by director-playwright Gene-Gabriel Moore and colleagues to both celebrate outstanding artistry and elevate the visibility of the region’s vibrant theatrical community. Organized annually through a rigorous adjudication process, the Awards spotlight remarkable talent across 30+ categories, encompassing performances, direction, design, and theatre for young audiences. Finalists and winners are selected after a season-long evaluation and are celebrated at a formal ceremony each fall. Over time, the Suzi Bass Awards have not only honored artistry but also fostered community engagement through special recognitions—such as the Spirit of Suzi, Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Callboard, and the Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Awards—each with unique criteria and dedicated nomination procedures. This year, as we highlight our department’s proud tradition of excellence, the following alumni have earned Suzi Bass Award nominations for 2025—a testament to their extraordinary contributions to Atlanta theatre. THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES Outstanding Performance Doctor De Soto (Alliance Theatre) – Shelli Delgado Outstanding Design Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote (Center for Puppetry Arts) – Jennifer Schottstaedt (Costume) MUSICALS – PERFORMANCE Featured Performer (10 nominees – 2 winners selected) Daja Rice as "Becky" – Waitress (Aurora Theatre) Tiffany Denise Hobbs as "Shug Avery" – The Color Purple (Aurora Theatre) PLAYS – PERFORMANCE Ensemble JaJa’s African Hair Braiding (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company) – Adetinpo Thomas, Dane Troy The African Company Presents Richard III (Atlanta Shakespeare Company) – Vallea Woodbury Featured Performer (10 nominees – 2 winners selected) Marlon Andrew Burnley as "Joseph Asagai" – A Raisin in the Sun (Theatrical Outfit with Dominion Entertainment Group) Tiffany Denise Hobbs as "Mrs. Muller" – Doubt (Actor’s Express) PLAYS – DESIGN & DIRECTION Direction J.L. Reed – The African Company Presents Richard III (Atlanta Shakespeare Company) Costume Design Jennifer Schottstaedt – Émilie: La Marquise du Châtelet défend sa vie ce soir (Théâtre du Rêve) Jennifer Schottstaedt – Marie Antoinette (Actor’s Express with Oglethorpe Theatre) OUTSTANDING PRODUCTIONS Outstanding Production of a Play The African Company Presents Richard III (Atlanta Shakespeare Company) Doubt (Actor’s Express) A Raisin in the Sun (Theatrical Outfit with Dominion Entertainment Group) Read More: Suzi Bass 2025 Nominations
