05/06/2025

Two Saint Louis University Theatre and Dance faculty members brought home awards at the 2025 St. Louis Theater Circle Awards.

Nancy Bell, professor of theatre, was awarded Outstanding Director of a Comedy for “As You Like It”. The show also received Outstanding Production of a Comedy. Lucy Cashion, associate professor of theatre, directed “Romanov Family Yard Sale,” which received Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy.

Bell said she was thrilled by the award.

“It always feels wonderful when people go to the trouble and expense to acknowledge your work publicly and festively,” she said. “The truth is, though, that in the theatre, every effort is collaborative, so I share the award with all the many people who made As You Like It a success—including the amazing Forest Park audiences.”

Cashion echoed Bell and said she was honored to be recognized. She noted that her award was the result of a fully collaborative effort.

“Recognition can be embarrassing because it always feels like I'm taking credit for something that required the contributions of so many other artists and institutions,” she said. “This production, Romanov Family Yard Sale, won a 'Best Ensemble' award, which I felt was very appropriate. The production was a multimedia theatrical experience. Most aspects of its success were the result of more than one person's contribution.”

Cashion said her work in the classroom has had a direct impact on her career outside of SLU.

“My work at SLU is intertwined with my professional work,” she said. “Two plays that I originally developed and directed at SLU were later produced by professional companies and community-engaged companies. I directed and helped produce those subsequent productions. On several occasions, I've had independent study students assist in play development, and I cast alumni in my productions and hire SLU students as interns. What I'm working on professionally affects what I focus on in the classroom. What I'm teaching affects what I prioritize in a professional theatrical process.”

Three other members of the SLU faculty joined Bell and Cashion as nominees. Full-time faculty members Gary Wayne Barker, professor of theatre, and Denisse Chavez, assistant professor of visual and performing arts, received nominations for their work with various productions. Adjunct theatre faculty member Joel Moses was also recognized by the St. Louis Theater Circle.

“The Theater Circle Awards were a big night for SLU theatre faculty,” Bell said. “I think it's always a benefit to students when theatre professors are actively working in their profession and know what's up with both the craft and business of making live entertainment. I'm proud to teach with such dedicated and talented artists, and I know our students appreciate them, too.”

A full list of the 2025 Theater Circle Award winners can be found online.