Curtain Up: Wilmington Theater Awards 2025 to Shine with Hosts Chad and Terri Hsu
2025 Wilmington Theater Awards Set for March 26
The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, in association with Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 2025 Wilmington Theater Awards, set to take center stage on March 26, 2025. This dazzling celebration of Wilmington’s thriving performing arts scene will be hosted by the dynamic duo Terri and Chad Hsu, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and passion to this year’s event.
The Wilmington Theater Awards honor the outstanding contributions of the local theater community, celebrating the actors, directors, designers, and technicians who bring stories to life on Wilmington stages. This year’s ceremony promises to be especially memorable, as Steve Vernon, artistic director of Big Dawg Productions, will be presented with the prestigious Lela Thompson Award for Enduring Contribution to Wilmington Theater.
Vernon, a beloved fixture of Wilmington’s theater community for more than three decades, has excelled as an actor, director, comedian, voice artist, and sound designer. Before leading Big Dawg, he served as artistic director of BUMP Productions for a decade and spent 18 years performing with the improv troupe The Comically Impaired. A former host of the Wilmington Theater Awards, Vernon’s enduring commitment to theater has left an indelible mark on the community.
The awards event will begin at 7 p.m. on March 26 at historic Thalian Hall. The red carpet opens at 6 p.m.
But the excitement begins well before awards night. The nominees in 21 categories will be revealed at a special Nomination Party on January 29, 2025, at The Eagle’s Dare (420 N Third St, Wilmington). Join the hosts and local theater enthusiasts as this year’s contenders are announced. Once the nominations are live, the public will be invited to vote via the Arts Council’s website. As always, winners will be selected by a combination of votes from the public, a nomination committee, and local theater companies.
Also after the nomination party, tickets for the March 26 ceremony will be available for purchase through the Thalian Hall box office and website.
“The Wilmington Theater Awards are more than accolades,” said Rhonda Bellamy, president & CEO of the Arts Council of Wilmington. “They are a standing ovation to the countless hours, boundless creativity, and unyielding passion that our theater companies bring to the community throughout the year. In many ways, it is like orchestrating a grand finale — a celebration of the artistry, dedication, and magic of storytelling, where every detail must shine as brightly as the talent it honors.”
Meet the Hosts
Since moving to Wilmington three years ago, Chad and Terri Hsu have worked on stage and off with several local companies, including Opera House Theater Co., Big Dawg Productions and Thalian Association.
Terri has immersed herself in various facets of theater since the age of 9, showcasing her versatility in stage management, directing, and performing across the Southeast. She recently directed Big Dawg Productions’ “The Chinese Lady” (for which she was nominated for a 2024 Wilmington Theater Award) and “The Second to Last Chance Ladies League,” and co-directed “The Thanksgiving Play.” She also is a prolific stage manager, having served in that capacity for several local companies.
Chad is a versatile and accomplished actor with a rich and diverse range of experience in theater, film, commercials, and voice-overs. He won the 2024 Wilmington Theater Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play for his performance in “The Chinese Lady.” And in 2023 he won for his supporting turn in the musical “Kinky Boots” and was named Best Newcomer – a category that also featured Terri as a nominee.
“We’re excited to celebrate the magic of live performances and the powerful connections it creates within this prodigious artistic community,” Chad said. “We are honored to host this year’s Wilmington Theater Awards and deeply thank the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County for this incredible opportunity.”
For more information about the Wilmington Theater Awards, visit www.artswilmington.org.
About the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County
Celebrating our 12th year as the nucleus of Wilmington’s bustling arts scene, the Arts Council of Wilmington advocates, plans, and develops the county’s creative economy through grantmaking, market research, economic development partnerships with public and private institutions, and information and referral services to residents, visitors, and businesses.
About Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts
The Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (THCPA) hosts live professional, regional, and local performances, as well as film screenings and festivals. THCPA manages Thalian Hall on behalf of the citizens of Wilmington; Thalian Hall, built in 1858 is one of the most heavily utilized historic theatres in the nation. Last year there were over 700 events, with nearly 90,000 guests in attendance. THCPA also produces Pied Piper Theatre which was founded in 1949. Pied Piper provides live theatre, free-of-charge to every 1st and 2nd grader in New Hanover County and beyond.
