The cast of the Theatre Alliance production of Black Nativity accepts the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical, 2015.

For this week’s At Rise, writer Jamila Reddy sat down with theatreWashington’s President and CEO Amy Austin, to get the inside scoop on the Helen Hayes Awards, being celebrated May 23 at the Lincoln Theatre.

Sam Ludwig and Katrina Clark in Proof at 1st Stage through May 8.

Designer Kathryn Kawecki has brought her mind-broadening vision to a series of productions at 1st Stage, culminating with her evocative creations for Proof, running through May 8. Writer Jamila Reddy offers an indepth look at the artist's work in this month’s At Rise.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.

Helen Hayes Award nominee Karen Vincent and Paul Scanlan in the NextStop Theatre Company production of Kiss Me Kate.

At the announcement of this year’s Helen Hayes Award nominations, three companies were honored with first-time, stand-alone recognition. Flying V and Pointless Theatre, both recipients of the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company, received their first nominations. NextStop Theatre Company, which previously received nominations for co-productions with other theatres, was recognized with their first solo honor. Writer Jamila Reddy takes a look at all three in this week’s At Rise.

Shanta Parasuraman and Kiernan McGowan in The Welders production of Not Enuf Lifetimes, by Caleen Sinnette Jennings.

When the Helen Hayes Award nominations were announced on February 1, three theatre companies were named as finalists for the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company: Arts on the Horizon, Pallas Theatre Collective, and The Welders. In this month's At Rise, writer Jamila Reddy looks at the origins of each company and their goals for the future.

Aly B. Ettman and Aaron Tone in Time Stands Still, March 2015

In this month's focus on emerging theatre companies and up-and-coming individual artists, At Rise finds Peter's Alley Theatre Productions preparing for its upcoming run of Talley's Folley, February 5 through March 6. Writer Jamila Reddy spoke with Founder and Artistic Director Aly Ettman to track the evolution and future dreams of a company entering its fourth season.

Tell me your origin story. How did you all get started as a company?