2025 U.S. Army IMCOM Europe Tournament of Plays (TOPPERs) Show and Ceremony (Kat Nickola)
The U.S. Army IMCOM Europe Tournament of Plays, called TOPPERs, saw the military-affiliated community theaters across Europe honored for their talent and local contribution.
A red-carpet event, the TOPPERs Awards Show and Ceremony was an opportunity to recognize teams and individuals across 55 categories. With hundreds of nominations across eight military communities in Europe, it is truly a prestigious event.
The mission of TOPPERs is to enhance resiliency and readiness of military communities in three ways. It recognizes the theatrical achievements of soldiers, civilians and family members at community theaters. The organization also provides educational theater training opportunities with workshops, classes and cast and crew feedback. Lastly, the awards ceremony is held as a way to thank the thousands of participants who volunteer thousands of hours putting on live theater events at overseas military installations.
The 2025 TOPPERs Awards Ceremony was held on April 26 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Victoria Hanrahan and Dane Winters emceed the event while a live band directed by Alan Buxkemper accompanied the show. Awards were presented by honored guests and theater sponsors including a few video-presentations by stars such as David Hyde Pierce, Lin Manuel-Miranda and Chris Pine.
Winner received recognition and a coveted TOPPERs trophy. In addition, winners in the military performance categories received additional travel awards from airline sponsors Air France, KLM and Delta Air Lines.
2025 U.S. Army IMCOM Europe Tournament of Plays (TOPPERs) Show and Ceremony was held at the Wiesbaden Fitness Arena on Clay Kaserne, Germany. (Kat Nickola)
Outstanding hair & makeup for a play or musical: “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” at The Amelia Earhart Playhouse
Outstanding costume design for a play: CeLyna Chichester and Cast, “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding costume design for a musical: Judith Kerle, “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” at The Amelia Earhart Playhouse
Outstanding sound design for a play: Barry Robinson, “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding sound design for a musical: Sarah Viola Wilson and Alan Buxkemper, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding lighting design for a play: Jerry Brees, “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding lighting design for a musical: Brett Harwood, Collin Steed and Vic Phillipson, “Frozen Jr.” at SHAPE Players Performing Arts
Outstanding stage properties and dressing for a play: “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding stage properties and dressing for a musical: Amanda Kimball and Zola Carbone, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at The Amelia Earhart Playhouse
Outstanding set design for a play: Alyssa Brown and Nina Kladnik, “Orphans” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding set design for a musical (TIE): James Earp, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center AND Beth Dougherty, “Ruthless!” at KMC Onstage
Outstanding stage management of a play: Rachel Kern, “Silver’s Secret” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding stage management of a musical: SSG Devyn Freeze, “Ruthless!” at KMC Onstage
Outstanding technical direction of a play: “Silver’s Secret” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding technical direction of a musical: Chris Wright, “Frozen Jr.” at The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
Outstanding choreography: Andrea Korbel, Abigail Castilla and Zoey Stubbs, “Nunsense, the Mega Musical” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding orchestra or musical accompaniment: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding musical direction: Alan Buxkemper, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding ensemble in a play: “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding ensemble in a musical: “Nunsense, the Mega Musical” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding chorus members in a musical: Ginnette Roman, “Mama Mia!” at Bavaria Performing Arts
Outstanding debut in a play: Merry McKeown as “The Pundit,” “The Book Club Play” at Bavaria Performing Arts
Outstanding debut in a play: Jules LaSalle-Bryant as “Troy Boyton,” “High School Musical Jr.” at Aviano Community and Schools Theater
Outstanding youth performance in a play: Catherine Lightfoot as “Irene Rudolph,” “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding youth performance in a female role in a musical: Zoey Stubbs as “Sister Mary Hubert,” “Nunsense, the Mega Musical” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding youth performance in a male role in a musical: Rowan Obcemea as “Olaf,” “Frozen Jr.” at The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
Outstanding featured performance in a play: Leah Waller as “Anna Fryer,” “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding featured performance in a female role in a musical: Claire Bingham as “The Countess,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding featured performance in a male role in a musical: Judson McGill as “The Dodo Bird,” “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” at The Amelia Earhart Playhouse
Outstanding supporting performance in a male role in a play: Chris Cassell as “Tom Kreider” and “Dr. Knef,” “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding supporting performance in a female role in a play: Angela Wilson as “Diane Roeder,” “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding supporting performance in a male role in a musical: Jacob Barnes as “The White Rabbit,” “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” at The Amelia Earhart Playhouse
Outstanding supporting performance in a female role in a musical: Cathy Kelly Stolle as “Eve,” “Ruthless!” at KMC Onstage
Outstanding military performance in a male role in a play: SPC Stephen Wylke as “Harold,” “Orphans” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding military performance in a female role in a play: LTC Leah Sanchez as “Grace Fryer,” “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding military performance in a musical: TSGT Aaron Vonderharr as “The D’Ysquiths,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding lead performance in a male role in a play(TIE): Emil Navarrete as “Phillip,” and SGT Marco Contreras as “Treat,” “Orphans” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding lead performance in a female role in a play: Christina Swanson as “Kathryn Schaub,” “Radium Girls” at The Soldiers’ Theatre
Outstanding lead performance in a male role in a musical: David Wilson as “Monty Navarro,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding lead performance in a female role in a musical: Erica Page as “Phoebe,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding direction of a play: Alyssa Brown, “Orphans” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding direction of a musical: Sarah Viola Wilson, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
Outstanding family show: “High School Musical Jr.” at Aviano Community and Schools Theater
Outstanding play: “Orphans” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding musical: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at The Stuttgart Theater Center
For participating in the spirit of TOPPERs and serving their community: “Finding Nemo Jr.” at Aviano Community and Schools Theater
For outstanding commitment to self-taught en pointe ballet: Abigail Castillo, “Nunsense, the Mega Musical” at The Ansbach Terrace Playhouse
Outstanding debut for a majority of the cast: “The Book Club Play” Bavaria Performing Arts
For excellence in creative community service without a facility: The Amelia Earhart Playhouse and director Autumn Mann
In addition to the award winners, all theater volunteers were recognized with a ceremonial check in the amount of $4,317,430.33, a representation of the value contributed by their hours of volunteerism.
Read about all the award nominees and watch the awards ceremony at the Army MWR 2025 TOPPERs web page.
Table decor at the 2025 U.S. Army IMCOM Europe Tournament of Plays (TOPPERs) Show and Ceremony (Kat Nickola)