# Constellation Theatre Company

Constellation Theatre Company is a non-profit theater company located in Washington, D.C., performing at the Source Theatre, a black box theatre. Since its founding in 2007, Constellation has received several Helen Hayes Awards, including the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company in 2009.

## Artistic leadership

Constellation Theatre Company's founding artistic director is Allison Arkell Stockman. Stockman was a freelance director in Washington, D.C., and New York City. In 2006, she quit her job as a teacher, and started the theater company in 2007.
A.J. Guban has been managing director and designer on multiple productions since the founding of the company.

## Productions
### Current productions

    2024-2025 Season: Infinite Possiblities
   * Constellations by Nick Payne
   * Head Over Heels with songs by The Go-Go's, based on The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney, conceived and original book by Jeff Whitty and adapted by James Magruder

### Production history

    2019-2020 Season
   * Little Shop of Horrors with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken
   * The 39 Steps adapted by Patrick Barlow from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock and the novel by John Buchan
   * Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl
    Note: Eurydice was announced but cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    2018–2019 Season: Epic Love
   * Melancholy Play: A Contemporary Farce by Sarah Ruhl
   * Aida with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang
   * The Master and Margarita adapted by Edward Kemp
   * The White Snake by Mary Zimmerman, based on the Chinese legend of the white snake
    2017–2018 Season: Survival Instincts
   * The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the silent film with live music by Tom Teasley
   * The Wild Party with book, lyrics, and music by Andrew Lippa
   * The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder
   * The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht
    2016–2017 Season
   * Metropolis, the silent film with live music by Tom Teasley
   * Urinetown music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann, book and lyrics by Greg Kotis
   * Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice
   * The Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman
    2015–2016 Season: Playtime for Grownups
   * The Adventures of Prince Achmed by Lotte Reiniger with live music by Tom Teasley
   * Avenue Q music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty
   * Equus by Peter Shaffer
   * Journey to the West by Mary Zimmerman, based on the 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West
    2014–2015 Season
   * Right You Are (if you think so) by Luigi Pirandello, adapted by Martin Sherman
   * The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh
   * The Fire and the Rain, by Girish Karnad and drawn from The Mahabharata
    2013–2014 Season
   * 36 Views by Naomi Iizuka
   * Scapin by Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell adapted from Les Fourberies de Scapin by Molière
   * The Love of the Nightingale, by Timberlake Wertenbaker
    2012–2013 Season
   * Taking Steps by Alan Ayckbourn
   * Zorro$^*$ by Janet Allard and Eleanor Holdridge
   * Gilgamesh, Poetry by Yusef Komunyakaa, concept & dramaturgy by Chad Gracia
    2011–2012 Season
   * The Ramayana (remount)
   * Arms and the Man
   * Blood Wedding
   * Metamorphoses
    2010–2011 Season
   * Women Beware Women
   * On The Razzle
   * The Green Bird
    2009–2010 Season
   * A Flea in Her Ear
   * Three Sisters
   * The Ramayana
    2008–2009 Season
   * Temptation
   * The Marriage of Figaro
   * Crazyface
    2007–2008 Season
   * A Dream Play by August Strindberg adapted by Caryl Churchill
   * The Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman
   * The Good Woman of Setzuan
   * The Oresteia
    $^*$ denotes world premiere

## Grants

In September 2013, the American Theatre Wing (the founder of the Tony Awards) awarded a National Theatre Company Grant to Constellation Theatre. The grant is for general operating support to companies that "have articulated a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre".

## Awards

In 2009, Constellation received the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company.
Constellation has received 90 competitive Helen Hayes Award nominations and has received 19 of these awards.
Helen Hayes Awards :
| Year | Category | Recipient(s) | Results |
| 2024 | Outstanding Set Design - HELEN | Sarah Reed, The School for Lies | Nominated |
| 2024 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Play - HELEN | The School For Lies | Nominated |
| 2024 | Outstanding Costume Design - HELEN | Frank Labovitz, The School for Lies | Recipient |
| 2023 | Outstanding Production in a Musical - HELEN | Once On This Island | Nominated |
| 2023 | Outstanding Musical Direction - HELEN | Elisa Rosman & Refiye Tappan, Once On This Island | Nominated |
| 2023 | Outstanding Direction in a Musical - HELEN | Angelisa Gillyard, Once On This Island | Nominated |
| 2023 | Outstanding Choreography in a Musical - HELEN | Maurice Johnson, Once on This Island | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical - HELEN | Marty Austin Lamar, Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical - HELEN | Alana Thomas, Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical - HELEN | Chani Wereley, Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Tom Teasley & Chao Tian, The White Snake | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Set Design - HELEN | A.J. Guban, "Little Shop of Horrors" | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Production in a Musical - HELEN | Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Musical Direction - HELEN | Walter "Bobby" McCoy, Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical - HELEN | Christian Montgomery, Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical - HELEN | Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Direction in a Musical - HELEN | Nick Martin, Little Shop of Horrors | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Costume Design- HELEN | Frank Labovitz, Little Shop of Horrors | Recipient |
| 2020 | Outstanding Choreography in a Musical- HELEN | Ilona Kessell, Little Shop of Horrors | Recipient |
| 2019 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical - HELEN | Da'von Moody, Aida | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Gordon Nimmo-Smith (Sound Designer), Brian Lotter & Matthew Schleigh (Composers), The Caucasian Chalk Circle | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Set Design - HELEN | A.J. Guban, The Caucasian Chalk Circle | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Production in a Play - HELEN | Melancholy Play: A Contemporary Farce | Recipient |
| 2019 | Outstanding Musical Direction - HELEN | Walter "Bobby" McCoy, Aida | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play - HELEN | Tonya Beckman, The Skin of Our Teeth | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play - HELEN | Billie Krishawn, Melancholy Play: A Contemporary Farce | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical - HELEN | Shayla Simmons, Aida | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Play - HELEN | Melancholy Play: A Contemporary Farce | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Direction in a Play - HELEN | Nick Martin, Melancholy Play: A Contemporary Farce | Recipient |
| 2019 | Outstanding Costume Design - HELEN | Kelsey Hunt, The Caucasian Chalk Circle | Recipient |
| 2019 | James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play - HELEN | Scott Abernathy, The Caucasian Chalk Circle | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical - HELEN | Kari Ginsburg, The Wild Party | Recipient |
| 2018 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Justin Schmitz, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Tom Teasley, The Arabian Nights | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Set Design - HELEN | Tony Cisek, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Set Design - HELEN | A.J. Guban, The Arabian Nights | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Production in a Musical - HELEN | The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Musical Direction - HELEN | Walter "Bobby" McCoy, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Lighting Design - HELEN | A.J. Guban, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play - HELEN | Megan Graves, Peter and the Starcatcher | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical - HELEN | Jimmy Mavrikes, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Play - HELEN | Peter and the Starcatcher | Recipient |
| 2018 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical - HELEN | The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Direction in a Musical - HELEN | Allison Arkell Stockman, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Costume Design - HELEN | Erik Teague, The Arabian Nights | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Costume Design - HELEN | Erik Teague, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Choreography in a Musical - HELEN | Ilona Kessell, The Wild Party | Nominated |
| 2018 | James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play - HELEN | Jordan Campbell, Peter and the Starcatcher | Nominated |
| 2018 | James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play - HELEN | Matt Dewberry, Peter and the Starcatcher | Nominated |
| 2018 | James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play - HELEN | Alex Vernon, Peter and the Starcatcher | Nominated |
| 2017 | Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actors in a Play - HELEN | Dallas Tolentino, Journey to the West | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play - HELEN | Justine Icy Moral, Journey to the West | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical - HELEN | Jenna Berk, Urinetown | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical - HELEN | Matt Dewberry, Urinetown | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Palmer Hefferan, Equus | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Tom Teasley, Journey to the West | Recipient |
| 2017 | Outstanding Set Design - HELEN | A.J. Guban, Journey to the West | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Play - HELEN | Equus | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Musical - HELEN | Urinetown | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Musical Direction - HELEN | Urinetown | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Lighting Design - HELEN | Colin K. Bills, Journey to the West | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Direction, Musical - HELEN | Allison Arkell Stockman, Urinetown | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Costume Design - HELEN | Kendra Rai, Journey to the West | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Choreography, Musical - HELEN | Ilona Kessel, Urinetown | Nominated |
| 2017 | James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play - HELEN | Ryan Tumulty, Journey to the West | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical - HELEN | Jenna Berk, Avenue Q | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical - HELEN | Justine Icy Moral, Avenue Q | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical - HELEN | Emily Zickler, Avenue Q | Recipient |
| 2016 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical - HELEN | Mikey Cafarelli, Avenue Q | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical - HELEN | Vaughn Ryan Midder, Avenue Q | Recipient |
| 2016 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Tom Teasley, The Fire and The Rain | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Musical - HELEN | Avenue Q | Recipient |
| 2016 | Outstanding Musical Direction - HELEN | Jack Null, Avenue Q | Recipient |
| 2016 | Outstanding Lighting Design - HELEN | A.J. Guban, Avenue Q | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical - HELEN | Katy Carkuff, Avenue Q | Recipient |
| 2016 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical - HELEN | Matt Dewberry, Avenue Q | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical - HELEN | Avenue Q | Recipient |
| 2016 | Outstanding Director of a Musical - HELEN | Allison Arkell Stockman, Avenue Q | Recipient |
| 2016 | Outstanding Costume Design - HELEN | Kara Waala, Avenue Q | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Choreography in a Play - HELEN | Casey Kaleba & Matthew R. Wilson, The Lieutenant of Inishmore | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Choreography in a Musical - HELEN | Rachel Leigh Dolan, Avenue Q | Nominated |
| 2015 | Outstanding Sound Design - HELEN | Tom Teasley, The Love of the Nightingale | Nominated |
| 2014 | Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production | A.J. Guban, 36 Views | Nominated |
| 2014 | Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production | A.J. Guban, 36 Views | Nominated |
| 2013 | The James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play | Matthew Aldwin McGee, Taking Steps | Recipient |
| 2012 | Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production | Tom Teasley, Green Bird | Nominated |
| 2012 | Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production | Kendra Rai, Green Bird | Nominated |
| 2011 | Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production | Tom Teasley, The Ramayana | Recipient |
| 2010 | Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production | Tom Teasley, Crazyface | Recipient |
The Constellation Theatre Company was nominated for the following Audience Choice Awards
* 2008 Crazyface (Favorite Ensemble)
* 2009 Three Sisters (Favorite Plays, Favorite Actress in a Play)
* 2013 Taking Steps (Best Play, Best Actor in a Play), Zorro (Best Ensemble Cast, Best Actor in a Play)
Costume Designer Kendra Rai was awarded a 2014 Princess Grace Foundation honorarium to be used for the company's 2014–2015 season costumes