Emilio Cress and Tammy Chavet of the Acting Zone Youth Theatre in Goodyear both took home “zoni” awards in the annual ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence ceremony Monday, Oct. 5.

Mr. Cress won for his supporting role in “Write By Me,” an original comedy written and directed by Jim Gradillas and Michelle Marie.

“Write By Me” tells the story of a teenaged introvert who expresses herself through writing, with characters who infiltrate her mind, where she creates and erases them.

Ms. Chavet won for original script - youth theatre for “Fairyland Protection Program: Hit Men and Tiaras,” which she wrote and directed with Mr. Gradillas.

The play tells the story of characters who must go into hiding and disguise themselfes in a normal daily life, knowing villains are out there.

READ: Theater returns to Goodyear’s Acting Zone

The youth theater, 1832 N. Litchfield Road, earned 22 “Zoni” nominations for the annual celebration of the 2019-20 season of live theater performances. More than 35 theaters Valleywide participate in the Zonis, with more than 150 productions adjudicated every year.

It offers original productions, acting programs and summer production experiences for kids ages 7 to 18.

Acting Zone nominees included:

For the production “Paradox”: Best Overall Production, Original Writing (Michelle Marie), Directing (Jim Gradillas and Michelle Marie), Actress in A Major Role (Haley Buford), Actress in A Supporting Role (Brieann Wilkins), and Rising Star (Brandt Marberry);

For “Write By Me”: Original Writing (Jim Gradillas and Michelle Marie), Actress in A Major Role (Hailey Buford), Actor in a Supporting Role (Mason Williams), Actor in as Supporting Role (Emilio Cress), Actor in a Supporting Role (Renan Katz), Actor in a Supporting Role (Nathan Guerra), Actor in a Supporting Role (Brandt Marberry);

For “Barnyard Breakout!”: Directing (Hailey Buford, Zoe Davis, Keeley Davis and Jim Gradillas), Original Writing (Hailey Buford, Zoe Davis and Keeley Davis), Actress in A Major Role (Ainsley Pollard), Actor in A Major Role (Renan Katz), Actress in A Major Role (Haley Buford);

For “Grandma’s Thanksgiving Farce”: Directing (Jim Gradillas), Actor in a Major Role (Mason Williams), Actor in A Major Role (Nathan Guerra); and

For “Fairy Tale Protection Program”: Original Writing (Tammy Chavet).

For a full list of nominees and winners, click here