Winner — Best Play
Jessie Holder Tourtellotte
Jessie Holder Tourtellotte is an actor, writer, and performing arts professional and teaching artist. Her writing has been recognized with wins including the Los Angeles International Screenwriting Competition, placement on the Capitol Hot 100, and semifinalist status in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowships.
She is the producer of Nora Fiffer's feature film Another Happy Day, starring Lauren Lapkus and Carrie Coon, which played festivals including Vail, Beverly Hills International, and Santa Barbara International.
Her work with classical text is extensive — acting, coaching, text work, movement direction, and adaptation for companies and training programs nationwide. She currently serves as a Senior Teaching Artist on Faculty with Acting for Young People, George Mason Community Arts Academy, and The Artists' Initiative.
In the three years since relocating to the DC Area, she has worked in leadership on thirteen full productions and contributed creatively to twenty others locally — including Romeo and Juliet and The Trojan Women — earning consecutive Best Play and Best Musical designations from the Cappies of the National Capital Area. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.