On April 6, Stage Door Miracles, Inc. presented the inaugural Broadway Ensemble Awards with big wins for the current revivals of “Chess” and “Ragtime.” Founded by Stepp Stewart, an Emmy Award winner, producer, director, choreographer, writer and ensemble member in national touring productions of “Jelly’s Last Jam,” “Applause” and “Dreamgirls,” Stage Door Miracles’ first-ever Ensemble Awards honored entire ensembles and individual ensemble members on Broadway.
The ceremony, which took place at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, was hosted by “Hamilton” ensemble member Thayne Jasperson, the only member of the original Broadway cast still performing in the show. Jasperson opened the show with a rendition of “It Don’t Mean a Thing” accompanied by Tony Award winner Lillias White. Presenters included Bradley Dean, Aisha Jackson, Rachelle Rak, JoAnn M. Hunter, Robert Montano, Seth Stewart, Kurt Csolak, Kevin Csolak and Kyra DaCosta.
The ensemble of “Chess” took home four awards, including for Most Outstanding Ensemble, Most Outstanding Dance Group and Most Outstanding Musical Direction. “Ragtime” walked away with two prizes: Most Outstanding Male in an Ensemble for Jacob Keith Watson, and Most Outstanding Vocal Group in an Ensemble for “New Music.” Anne Fraser Thomas won Most Outstanding Female in an Ensemble for her turn in “The Queen of Versailles.”
The original 1975 Broadway cast of “A Chorus Line” was honored with the 2026 Broadway Ensemble Legendary Award, accepted by Broadway icon Baayork Lee. A ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Actors’ Equity Legacy Robe honored Legacy Award recipient Stephanie Pope. The Awards also announced a special education partnership to bring theatrical training to junior high, high school and college students.
The Broadway Ensemble Awards are set to return in 2027, with voting for the 2026-2027 season set to begin later this month.
The full list of nominees and winners for the 2026 Ensemble Awards is below, with winners in bold and preceded by an asterisk.
Most Outstanding Male in an Ensemble
Sean McLaughlin (“Chess”)
*Jacob Keith Watson (“Ragtime”)
Shavey Brown (“Chess”)
George Vickers (“Mamma Mia”)
Most Outstanding Female in an Ensemble
Allison Blackwell (“Ragtime”)
*Anne Fraser Thomas (“The Queen of Versailles”)
Sarah Meahl (“Chess”)
Jasmine Overbaugh (“Mamma Mia”)
Samantha Pollino (“Chess”)
Most Outstanding Dance Group in an Ensemble
“Lay All Your Love on Me” (“Mamma Mia”)
*“One Night in Bangkok” (“Chess”)
“Gettin’ Ready Rag” (“Ragtime”)
“What a Game”/“Baseball” (“Ragtime”)
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” (“Mamma Mia”)
Most Outstanding Vocal Group in an Ensemble
“Nobody’s Side” (“Chess”)“Voulez-Vous” (“Mamma Mia”)
“New Music” (“Ragtime”)
*“’Till We Reach That Day” (“Ragtime”)
“Money, Money, Money” (“Mamma Mia”)
Most Outstanding Choreography for an Ensemble
Ellenore Scott (“Ragtime”)
Anthony Van Laast (“Mamma Mia”)
*Lorin Latarro (“Chess”)
Most Outstanding Musical Direction of an Ensemble
*Ian Weinberger (“Chess”)
Wendy Bobbit Cavett (“Mamma Mia!”)
James Moore (“Ragtime”)
Most Outstanding Ensemble
*“Chess”
“Mamma Mia”
“Ragtime”
2026 Broadway Ensemble Legendary Award
*Original 1975 Broadway ensemble of “A Chorus Line”
