The CSUDH Department of Theatre and Dance production of Clyde’s was honored with 15 awards by the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) at their 2026 National Production Awards and Meritorious Commendations. The play, by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, was staged at the Edison Theatre in October 2025.

Clyde’s is a darkly comedic story set in a sandwich shop where formerly incarcerated employees seek redemption and purpose while trying to rebuild their lives. “At its core, the play is about resilience, redemption, and the power of community,” said Director Jozben Barrett.

“It brilliantly spotlights the people who have been pushed to the margins yet continue to dream and rebuild. Our students brought their own diverse lived experiences into the work, making the story feel urgent, authentic, and alive.” The awards are given out each year to recognize outstanding achievement in collegiate theater across the United States.

Among the many awards ACTF bestowed upon Clyde’s was the Citizen’s Artist Award, which “recognizes programs in higher education using theatrical production to promote long-term societal impact in artistic terms, encouraging empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and advocating for justice on campus and throughout the world.”

ACTF Awards

Citizen Artist Award

Outstanding Production of a Play

Distinguished Scenic Design: Brittany Bodley

Outstanding Performance in a Play: Carol Alana, Kevin Mendez, Norene Flowers

Distinguished Performance in a Play: Jaime Banuelos

Outstanding Performance and Production Ensemble

Distinguished Lighting Design: Matthew Wukman

Outstanding Direction of a Play: Jozben Barrett

Distinguished Costume Design: Yesenia Correa-Soltero

Distinguished Sound Design: Angelica Mejia

Outstanding Production Design

Outstanding Performance Ensemble

Meritorious Commendations

Prop Manager/Artisan: Andre PoloIntimacy

Direction: Kelly Herman

Stage Management Team: Alexander Braddock, Wynetta Carter, Jabari Williams Jr.

Performance: Jeremiah Simpson

Bravery in Performance: Jaime Banuelos

Comedic Physical Performance: Carol Alana

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