The Port City Playhouse, The Little Theatre of Alexandria and Aldersgate Church Community Theatre each took home honors from Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) for artistic and technical excellence in community theater.

"We are excited about the wealth of talent represented by this year's WATCH Award nominees and winners," said Roy Peterson, WATCH chair. "This group is just one indicator of the vitality of the DC-metro community theatre scene."

WATCH is the organization that judges productions and presents annual awards recognizing artistic and technical excellence in community theater in the Washington, D.C. area. There were a total of 114 productions (42 musicals and 72 plays) judged in 2013 from which nominations and awardees were chosen. The WATCH awards were announced at a ceremony at the Birchmere on Sunday evening, March 9.

The Aldersgate Church Community Theatre WATCH Award was for Outstanding Hair Design in a Play — Rachel Royall in "Life with Father." Staging theater productions since 1990, the Aldersgate Church Community Theatre performs at Wesley Hall of Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 1301 Collingwood Road. Visit www.acctonline.org.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria received two awards: Outstanding Light Design in a Play — Ken and Patti Crowley in "33 Variations" and Outstanding Set Design in a Play — John Downing and Bill Glikbarg in "Twentieth Century." Founded in 1934, the Little Theatre of Alexandria performs at 600 Wolfe St. Visit www.thelittletheatre.com.

Port City Playhouse won for Outstanding Sound Design in a Play — Sean Doyle in "Shiloh Rules." Founded in 1977, the Port City Playhouse performs at 1819 N. Quaker Lane. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.org.

For more on WATCH, visit www.washingtontheater.org.