The Indian Hills Community College Performing Arts department honored its top performers from the 2025-2026 theatre season at the annual Cake on an Empty Stage Celebration. The season featured two productions — Harvey in December 2025 and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder in April 2026 — both performed at St. John Auditorium on the Ottumwa campus. Awards were presented by IHCC Theatre Faculty Dr. Jennifer Terry Boyenga and Dr. Ray Slavens.
Several students with ties to the Jefferson, Keokuk, and Van Buren County area were among those recognized. Bella Earnest of Hedrick earned the Best Supporting Actor award for her performances as Myrtle Mae Simmons in Harvey and as Sibella Hallward in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and was also named a Star Performer for the 2025-26 season. Lizzie Hootman of Fairfield, Marc Jan M. Danas of Stockport, and Ayla Banes of Pekin each received Star Performer medals as well.
Several other students from across the broader southeast Iowa region also earned recognition, including honorees from Ottumwa, Albia, Bloomfield, Oskaloosa, Centerville, and beyond.
The Best Actor award for Harvey went to Jaclyn Blackwell of Ottumwa for her performance as Vita Louise Simmons, and the Best Actor award for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder went to Dawson Brown of Ottumwa for his portrayal of Montague Navarro. The Best Technical Awards for the year were presented to Markus Graber of Albia and Trenton Patton of Burlington.
Star Performer medals for the 2025-26 season were also awarded to Dawson Brown of Ottumwa, Jaclyn Blackwell of Ottumwa, Markus Graber of Albia, Trenton Patton of Burlington, Kass Hicke of Burlington, River Hibma of Pleasantville, Elexis Perry of Bloomfield, Aden Drummond of Memphis, Missouri, Andi Marshall of Muscatine, Ian Petersen of Oskaloosa, Megan Bell of Ottumwa, Rylie Anglesey of Ottumwa, Emilia Morrow of Bloomfield, Bella Prose of Chariton, Jason Prazak of Boone, Elizabeth Lopez Hernandez of Ottumwa, Toby Green of Albia, Braedon Payne of Bondurant, Adrian O’Leary of Chariton, Faith Warner of Gallatin, Missouri, Janie Antoine of Osceola, PJ Thomas of Oskaloosa, Elaina Johnson of Fremont, Cassidy Thompson of Albia, Ashlynn Hamilton of Centerville, Callie Wollinger of Waupun, Wisconsin, Ryat B. Blakely of Hamilton, and Ayla Banes of Pekin.
