Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards

Celebrate the successes of local high school musical theater programs in this thrilling showcase featuring nominated performances from participants in our Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards program. The culmination of a year-long education initiative, students will be recognized in categories such as Outstanding Production, Outstanding Ensemble, Community Engagement and Backstage Spirit. This evening will feature stunning performances by tomorrow’s future stars.

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 3RD AT 10AM

APPLETON - The Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards return to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on May 18 and a new class of theater departments and students will be honored. 

The Center Stage awards program, an education initiative celebrating and supporting the achievements of northeast Wisconsin high school theater, is in its third year. 

Awards are handed out in 10 categories. Some have up to five winners each, others are given to a single person or program. 

Along with the honors, involved students had the opportunity to take part in workshops with professional artists throughout the year. A group of trained judges also attended the participating schools' productions and gave feedback and selected the standouts. 

Tickets for the showcase are $15 for adults and $10 for students and go on sale at 10 a.m. May 3 through the Fox Cities PAC ticket office, foxcitiespac.com and 920-730-3760.

The show also will feature the announcement of one lead actor and one lead actress who, chosen through a separate audition process, will represent the Center Stage program at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (aka the Jimmys) in New York City on June 24. 

Last year's winners were Kimberly's Travis Vandenberg and Green Bay East's Paige Neumeyer.

Here are this year's recipients:

Outstanding Overall Production
Green Bay East High School's "Billy Elliot"
Green Bay Preble High School's "Newsies"
Green Bay Southwest High School's "Footloose"
Neenah High School's "Chicago" (High School Edition)

Outstanding Ensemble
Denmark High School's Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"
Green Bay East High School's "Billy Elliot"
Green Bay Preble High School's "Newsies"
Green Bay Southwest High School's "Footloose"
Neenah High School's "Chicago" (High School Edition)

Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor
Kani Johnson as Horton the Elephant in Little Chute High School's "Seussical the Musical"
Simon Mueller as Jacob Marley in Fond du Lac High School's "A Christmas Carol"
Michael Murphy as Billy Flynn in Neenah High School's "Chicago" (High School Edition)
Christian Schommer as Jack Kelly in Green Bay Preble High School's "Newsies"
Matthew Wautier as Ren McCormack in Green Bay Southwest High School's "Footloose"

Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress
Sydney Egger as Katherine Plumber in Green Bay Preble High School's "Newsies"
Kyra Hietpas as Gertrude McFuzz in Little Chute High School's "Seussical the Musical"
Marki Hietpas as The Cat in the Hat in Little Chute High School's "Seussical the Musical"
Reese Keyser as Vi Moore in Green Bay Southwest High School's "Footloose"
Lily Slivinski as Velma Kelly in Neenah High School's "Chicago" (High School Edition)

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor
Joey Gutzmann as Mr. Fezziwig in Fond du Lac High School's "A Christmas Carol"
Jarren Holloway as Jackie Elliot in Green Bay East High School's "Billy Elliot"
Aaron Huntley as Davey in Green Bay Preble High School's "Newsies"
Colin Krueger as Bela Zangler in Fox Valley Lutheran High School's "Crazy For You"
Sean Nelson as Chuck Cranston in Green Bay Southwest High School's "Footloose"

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress
Elizabeth Cantwell as Wendy Jo in Green Bay Southwest High School's "Footloose"
Katelyn Flanagan as Sister Mary Lazarus in St. Mary Catholic High School's "Sister Act"
Elizabeth Geoffrey as Rosie in Kaukauna High School's "Mamma Mia!"
Marissa Krueger as Ghost of Christmas Present in Fond du Lac High School's "A Christmas Carol"
Olivia VandenPlas as Nicky in Green Bay West High School's "Avenue Q" (School Edition)

Rising Star
Recognizes an underclassman in a feature role who is not eligible for a lead or supporting role nomination.
Robin VandenLangenberg as Race in Green Bay Preble High School's "Newsies"
Lucas Weigand as Chef Louis in Winnebago Lutheran Academy's Disney's "The Little Mermaid"

Community Engagement Award
Celebrating one outstanding school who connected their production back to their community.
Mishicot High School with their production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"

Outstanding Achievement Award
Celebrating a student who has triumphed over and defied challenges. 
Kimberly Haima from Little Chute High School

Backstage Spirit Award
Recognizing the individual or crew who tirelessly contributed to the creation of seamless storytelling on stage. 
Trinity Oliver from Green Bay Southwest High School

The high schools participating this year: Ashwaubenon, Brillion, Denmark, Fond du Lac, Fox Valley Lutheran, Green Bay East, Green Bay Preble, Green Bay Southwest, Green Bay West, Hortonville, Kaukauna, Little Chute, Luxemburg-Casco, Mishicot, Neenah, St. Mary Catholic and Winnebago Lutheran Academy.