SCP takes home four awards from The Encore Association

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 3:13 PM

By Staff report

SCP winners: (L-R) Cassie Gross, Chris Gross, Russ Gross, Karen Markle

Shelby County Players (SCP) continues to celebrate a successful 2025-26 season.

The Encore Association, a central Indiana association of community theatres, has recognized SCP cast and crew members with four awards across a variety of categories.

Winners were announced Monday, November 2nd at the 2026 Encore Awards Ceremony held at the Tobias Theater at Newfields in Indianapolis. A total of 30 SCP Friends and Family attended the event in support of the 16 SCP Nominees.

SCP’s Award Winners are:
•   Karen Markle – Best Leading Female Role in a Drama (Silent Sky)
•   Chris Gross & Cassie Gross – Best Lighting Design for a Play (Silent Sky)
•   Russ Gross - Best Set Design for a Comedy (Girls Weekend)
•   Silent Sky was recognized with a Judge’s Special Award for Lighting Technique.

SCP’s other Nominations included:
•   Shiela Fullerton – Best Costumes for a Drama (Silent Sky)
•   Chanta Quillen – Best Major Supporting Female Role in a Drama (Silent Sky)
•   Russ Gross – Best Set Design for a Drama (Silent Sky)
•   Peyton Raider - Best Leading Male Role in Comedy (Pirates of the Amazon)
•   Toby Schonfeld – Best Costumes for a Comedy (Pirates of the Amazon)
•   Bill Taylor – Best Set Design for a Comedy (Pirates of the Amazon)
•   Letitia Clemons- Best Leading Female Comedy (Girls Weekend)
•   Kelli Miller – Best Set Décor for a Comedy (Girls Weekend)
•   Tyler Amos – Best Leading Male Role in a Musical (Godspell)
•   Jacob Morningstar – Best Male Singer in a Musical (Godspell)
•   Tyler Amos – Best Male Singer in a Musical (Godspell)
•   Aaron Mann – Best Leading Male in a Drama (The Unexpected Guest)
•   Alyssa Lay – Best Leading Female Role in a Drama (The Unexpected Guest)
•   Braiden Adams – Best Major Supporting Male Role in a Play (The Unexpected Guest)
•   Russ Gross – Best Set Design for a Drama (The Unexpected Guest)