Columbia faculty and alumni were recognized at the 2026 Equity Jeff Awards on Monday, Sept 14., showcasing the successful work done by faculty and alumni from the School of Theatre and Dance.
The Joseph Jefferson Awards, more commonly known as the Jeff Awards, are an annual award show honoring union-backed Chicago based theater productions.
James Sherman, an adjunct professor of instruction in the School of Theatre and Dance, was among eight of 23 Columbia community members to take home a Jeff Award.
Sherman was awarded for his writing on the show “The First Lady of Television,” winning the Best New Work category.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and this is the first time I’ve ever got nominated. So even just that was great,” Sherman said. “So to actually receive the award was very exciting.”
Sherman was met with applause from his “Playwriting I” class once the word had gotten out that he had won.
The Jeff Awards, hosted at the Harris Theater, was directed by Raymond Ferwen, practitioner in residence at the School of Theatre and Dance. He said that seeing so many Columbia staff be awarded will only better the reputation of Columbia’s theatre program.
“I think it’s good for the program because it’s like, ‘Oh my god, look at all of this influence that people from Columbia have on the professional scene in Chicago,’” Ferwen said. “All these people aren’t just doing theater. They’re being recognized and getting awards for their work.”
Grant Sabin, an adjunct professor of instruction in the School of Theatre and Dance, won in the midsize Scenic Design category for his work on American Blues Theater’s “Things With Friends.” He previously won the same award for his work in the play “Turret” in 2024.
“It was a bit of a Columbia reunion and I was just so proud of the artistic work of all the nominees,” Sabin said.
Maximo Grano de Oro, an assistant professor in the School of Theatre and Dance, alum Teressa LaGamba, a 2013 graduate, Milo Bue, a 2016 graduate, and JC Widman, a 2014 graduate, all took home awards for their work on “Octet.”
Daryl Brooks, adjunct professor of instruction in the School of Theatre and Dance, won an award for his work directing “Men of Soul.”
Fox Howard, a junior theatre design and technology major, said seeing so many Columbia faculty receive awards affirms to her that her teachers are people currently immersed in the theater scene.
“It means that we’re being taught by people who are actually in the field, and not people who knew what the field looked like twenty years ago,” Howard said. “It really just shows the quality of not only their work, but the person that they are.”
Sabin hopes that current students seeing their professors and past classmates highlighted in a real world setting will inspire them to keep building their own path.
“A little spotlight always helps highlight the passion and commitment of so many of Columbia’s artistic faculty,” Sabin said. “I know I’m always excited to share my excitement and love of the craft to the next generation of storytellers.”
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