FOLLANSBEE — Follansbee may be small, but it has proven itself a giant in the West Virginia arts scene.

Two of the city’s community theater companies — Stage and Steel Productions and Striplight Community Theater — scored victories at the West Virginia Theater Association’s Community Theater Conference, a statewide competition open to all community theaters. The wins put Follansbee on the map, showcasing a community rich with talent, dedication and passion for the performing arts.

Stage and Steel Productions captivated judges and audiences with their production of “Don’t Kill the Messenger.” Their performance earned four awards, including outstanding production of a one-act play, which is the top honor in its category; outstanding costume design; outstanding fight choreography and outstanding performance by an actor.

Striplight Community Theater delivered a performance of “Even Numbers,” the first U.S. performance of the piece, as the playwright, Tony Domaille, is from the UK. Their production was awarded first runner-up for outstanding production, taking home an outstanding performance by an actor award, highlighting the depth of performing talent within a single community.

The success at the state level has catapulted Stage and Steel onto a larger stage. By securing outstanding production, they have earned the opportunity to represent the state at the Southeastern Theater Conference regional, national competition, one of the largest theater conferences in the United States.

“This isn’t just a win for our theaters, it’s a victory for the entire community, and not just for Follansbee, but for the upper Ohio Valley,” said Samuel Kiser, Stage and Steel board member. “It shows what passion and a love for storytelling can achieve. We are so proud to bring this recognition home.”

The twin triumphs show why Follansbee is home to two award-winning theater companies that do more than just put on shows — they are vital institutions that train local talent, provide creative opportunities for all ages, and compete and win at the highest levels, bringing pride and positive recognition to their hometown.