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This year's award winners were selected from nominations by a panel of more than 50 judges and reviewers. In addition to the youth who performed in schools and youth arts companies, anyone age 18 and under who performed at a show reviewed by a judge was also considered for the NYA awards, as well as the adults who participated in the youth productions backstage (directors, set designers, costume designers, etc.) and guest adult performers in productions designed for youth. College artists are eligible for our University Arts (UniArts) Awards presented in conjunction with the National Youth Arts Awards. A few award-winning alumni include Tony Nominee Emily Skeggs [2008] (Broadway: Medium Alison in Fun Home, TV: Young Roma in When We Rise), Asher Angel [2013, '14, '15, '17] (TV: Jonah Beck in Andi Mack), Brian Crum [2005] (TV: America's Got Talent finalist), Veronica Dunne [2011, '12, '13] (Broadway: Roxie in Chicago, TV: Marisa Clark in K.C. Undercover), Emma Howard [2011, '16, '17] (Broadway: Hortensia in Matilda, Film: The Beguiled), Brennyn Lark [2011] (Broadway: Eponine in Les Mis), Ashley Park [2009] (Broadway: Tuptim in The King and I, World Premiere: Gretchen in Mean Girls), and multiple-Grammy Nominee Ariana Grande [2009]. 

The award winners will be formally presented with their awards on stage and nomination certificates will be available at the registration table for the nominees. The ceremonies honoring all of their accomplishments are held in different regions of the country including multiple ceremonies in Arizona, California, Colorado, Virginia, and New York. If award winners can't make it to their ceremony, they might be able to attend one of the other ceremonies. Thank you all for your incredible work and all the unforgettable entertainment over the past year, and we hope you can join us!

Ceremony Portfolio for Agents: Award recipients and nominees are eligible for talent agency submissions. If you're interested in having NY and LA agents review your headshot/resume, please email them to rob@nationalyouththeatre.com. If any of the agencies are interested, you'll be contacted directly via the email on your resume. Reminder: Your resume should only have the email and cell of someone age 18 or over (your parent or guardian if under 18). 

Rob Hopper
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts

Eastern Regional - Evening Ceremony
RSVP 
NYA Awards | Nominees
Sunday, August 20
Registration begins @ 6:15 p.m.
Awards Presentation begins @ 7:00 p.m.
Riverdale YM-YWHA
5625 Arlington Ave.
Bronx, NY 10471

Please click here for more details and ticket information

And the Winners are ...

Outstanding Production:
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)

Outstanding Production (Junior Division):
Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
Talon Ackerman as J. Pierpont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Jeffrey Castellano as Chad in All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Sam Dhobhany as Tony in West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Kevin Guillaume as Baker in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Elijah Levi-Dabby as Valjean in Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical:
Lauren DeMartino as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Tara Lellos as Natalie Haller in All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Francesca Manligoy as Maria in West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Rebecca Salzhauer as Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Maddie Rubin as Rosemary Pilkington in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:
Julian Lieber as Eddie Carbone in A View from the Bridge (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:
Julia Moore as Molly Aster in Peter and the Starcatcher (Broadway Training Center)
Sarah Rodriguez as Beatrice Carbone in A View from the Bridge (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division):
Joshua Austrian as Baker in Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)
Neri Frank as Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Riverdale Rising Stars)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division):
Ava Briglia as Matilda in Matilda (Sam S. Shubert Theatre)
Eliza Fisher as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Emma Jonas as Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Lauralie Mufute as Toni in The History Mystery (TADA! Youth Theater)
Riya Nagpal as Tess in New York, New Year (TADA! Youth Theater)
Alexis O’Rourke as The Drowsy Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
Madeline Sledge as Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical:
Joshua Goldin-McCarthy as Marius in Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Steven Thomas as Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
Kiley Rose Burke-Perez as Abuela Claudia in In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Ruby Comiskey as Daniela in In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Abby Fisher as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Nora Greenberg as Witch in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Francesca Guthrie as Sylvia in All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Gillian Lieberman as Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Isabel Rodriguez as Witch in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Olivia Ross as Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Natalia Senanayake as Miss Sandra in All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Juliet Schlefer as Cinderella in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Lindsey Thomas as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Kiera Welsome as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:
Eva Ury as The Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher (Broadway Training Center)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division):
Brandon Niederauer as Zack in School of Rock (Winter Garden Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division):
Amadi Chapata as Tomika in School of Rock (Winter Garden Theatre)
Olivia Chun as Summer in School of Rock (Winter Garden Theatre)
Ellie Leibner as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Lighthouse Youth Theatre)
Emma Nathenson as Witch in Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)
Sarah Rose Sammarone as Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:
Bailey Wilkinson as Wolf in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Ensemble:
All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Peter and the Starcatcher (Broadway Training Center)
A View from the Bridge (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division):
The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
The History Mystery (TADA! Youth Theater)
Matilda (Sam S. Shubert Theatre)
School of Rock (Winter Garden Theatre)

Outstanding Set Design:
Gerard Bourcier for In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)

Outstanding Choreography:
Sarah Hicks for Thoroughly Modern Millie (Broadway Training Center)
Kyle Pleasant for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Roberta Raymond for West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Student Orchestra:
Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Musical Direction:
Donald Christensen for Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Direction:
Jason Brantman and Fiona Santos for Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)
Laurie Walton for Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)

Outstanding Lead Actress (College Division):
Natalie Braha as Desiree in A Little Night Music (Pace University)
Erica Malachowski as Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music (Pace University)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (College Division):
Hanako Greensmith as Countess Charlotte in A Little Night Music (Pace University)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (College Division):
James Hunsaker as Count Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music (Pace University)

* ...And the additional Nominees are ... *

Outstanding Production:
All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Edward R. Murrow High School)
A View from the Bridge (Edward R. Murrow High School)
West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Dance Production:
Syncopation: Essence of Imagination (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
Justin Cohen as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Broadway Training Center)
Marcos Rivera as Usnavi in In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical:
Marianna Ceccatti as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Broadway Training Center)
Keara Fernandez as Nina Rosario in In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Kelly Lavery as Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Francesca Manligoy as Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:
Lee Ann Bael as Florence Unger in The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Teslyne Junior as Olive Madison in The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Lylia Khazoula as Catherine Carbone in A View from the Bridge (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division):
Nick Morelli as Man in Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
AJ Walker as Marty in The History Mystery (TADA! Youth Theater)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division):
Ceren “JJ” Akman as Janet Van De Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
Jesse Besca as Maggie in Ezra Jack Keats (TADA! Youth Theater)
Michaela Jonas-Giugni as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Mya Rosado as Jenny in The History Mystery (TADA! Youth Theater)
Emma Sobel as Toni in The History Mystery (TADA! Youth Theater)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical:
Andrew Binder as Jack in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Yanniv Frank as Javert in Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Anthony Garcia as J.B. Biggley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Marlon Gordon as Jack in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Ryan Green as Kevin Rosario in In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Oren Kornfeld as Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Elijah Levi-Dabby as Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
John Madigan as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Rob Moderelli as Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Cameron Quinones as Thenardier in Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Rashawn Sangster as Bernardo in West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Trevor Scott as Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Tyquan White as Budd Frump in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Bailey Wilkinson as Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
Lindsey Cooper as Vanessa in In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Leila Haller as Eponine in Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Lorna Fontana as Anita in West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Lexi Leitner as Smitty in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Leela McClintock as Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Aviva Michaeli as Cosette in Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Aviva Michaeli as Cinderella in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Julia Moore as Miss Dorothy Brown in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Broadway Training Center)
Rebecca Salzhauer as Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Margaret Schultzberg as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Emma Tayor as Lorraine in All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Eva Ury as Trevor Graydon III in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Broadway Training Center)
Nuala Vizard as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Broadway Training Center)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play:
Walker Ames as Rodolpho in A View from the Bridge (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Walker Ames as Jesus Costazuela in The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Justin Cohen as Mrs. Bumbrake in Peter and the Starcatcher (Broadway Training Center)
Ian C. Luchini as Manolo Costazuela in The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:
Hannah Brown as Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher (Broadway Training Center)
Dani Rich as Bill Slank/Hawking Clam in Peter and the Starcatcher (Broadway Training Center)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division):
Cosmo Bayes as Ben Franklin in The History Mystery (TADA! Youth Theater)
Max Binder as Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls (Riverdale Rising Stars)
David Fonseca as Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
Daniel Fooksman as Ethan in New York, New Year (TADA! Youth Theater)
Maxwell Passaro as Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
Walden Sullivan as Lawrence in School of Rock (Winter Garden Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division):
Romi Drubetskay as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Riana Giacone as Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
Anya Eder as Eleanor Roosevelt in The History Mystery (TADA! Youth Theater)
Karli Johnn as Cinderella in Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)
Ella Kahan as Jack in Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)
Marissa Michel as Amanda in New York, New Year (TADA! Youth Theater)
Christina Moore as Little Red Ridinghood in Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)
Maya Ifrah as Sarah in New York, New Year (TADA! Youth Theater)
Jolie Leibner as Jack in Into the Woods (Lighthouse Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:
Dean Manikas as Sonny in In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Cameron Quinones as Wolf in Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:
Ljubinka Gallardo Petkovich as Mayor Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Christina Jimenez as Miss Jones in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Shellvia Lazarre as Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Featured Actress (Junior Division):
Halleli Abrams Gerber as Miss Flannery in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Lucy Richer as Milky White/Giant in Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)

Outstanding Ensemble:
Ezra Jack Keats (TADA! Youth Theater)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Thoroughly Modern Millie (Broadway Training Center)
West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division):
Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)

Outstanding Costume Design:
Seth Bodie for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Allison Galker for Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Lighting Design:
John Lavigne for Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)
David Pentz for Les Miserables (Riverdale Rising Stars)
Mary Ellen Stebbins for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)

Outstanding Set Design:
Bryce Cutler for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Carlos Rosado for Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Choreography:
Vittoria Fronte for In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Doug Gipple for All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Joanna Greer for Ezra Jack Keats (TADA! Youth Theater)

Outstanding Musical Direction:
Donald Christensen for West Side Story (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Kurt Kelley for Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Fiona Santos for Into the Woods (Broadway Training Center)
Brad Siebeking for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Todd Olson and Jonathan Parks for Into the Woods (Riverdale Rising Stars)

Outstanding Direction:
Steven Arrigoitia and Brian Lang for The Drowsy Chaperone (Lyndhurst Middle School)
Frank Avellino for In the Heights (Stage Scene & Song Performing Arts)
Jason Brantman and Fiona Santos for Peter and the Starcatcher (Broadway Training Center)
Doug Gipple for All Shook Up (Ramsey High School)
Thomas O'Sullivan for Hairspray (Fordham Preparatory School)
Kyle Pleasant for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Professional Performing Arts School)
Roberta Raymond for A View from the Bridge (Edward R. Murrow High School)
Donnie Tuel for Into the Woods (Edward R. Murrow High School)

Outstanding Lead Actor (College Division):
Jonathan Miller as Fredrik in A Little Night Music (Pace University)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (College Division):
Hillary Fisher as Anne in A Little Night Music (Pace University)
Iris Sharp as Petra in A Little Night Music (Pace University)