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2019 - 2020 15th Annual National Youth Arts Awards!
 
~ Arizona - East Valley ~ 



National Youth Arts is excited to continue announcing the winners of our 15th Annual National Youth Arts Awards to honor outstanding work by youth in the arts. 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 Performances in productions designed for youth. College artists are eligible for our University Arts (UniArts) Awards presented in conjunction with the National Youth Arts Awards. Thank you all for your incredible work and all the unforgettable entertainment over the past year!

Obviously, due to the pandemic, this year will be far different. We will be posting the awards and nominations, but we won't be holding any live awards ceremonies and, without the ticket sales, won't be able to provide award trophies. Links to PDF printable certificates are next to each award and nomination below. We'll be adding submitted headshots, production photos, and videos to the ceremony page over the coming weeks. Most of the production photos will come from the theaters, but if you have a headshot, favorite production photos, photos of you with your award/nomination, and/or a video to send in of you performing a song or monologue from the show, please email them to rob@nationalyouththeatre.com. You can also send in text of an acceptance speech to that email address or via the Order Page. If you would like to receive an email when the ceremony page is fully updated with all the submissions, please check the box on the Order Page. 

Order Page [Trophies/T-shirts/Yearbooks/Memberships/Artist Pages]: If you're an award winner and would like a trophy to go with the certificate, you can order one directly from our trophy provider or place the order with us. You may also order NYA Awards T-shirts, masks, a yearbook for your area, or have an artist page added to our website. Please email any headshots/production photos for this awards page, your artist page, and/or the yearbook to Rob Hopper at rob@nationalyouththeatre.com.  There is some possibility that in late October/early November we may invite award winners to a limited outdoor event in Scottsdale for acceptance speeches and photos. This would depend on the status of the pandemic and, if it happens, may be done in shifts or on different nights to maintain a small gathering. If interested in attending such an event, award winners may check the appropriate box on the Order Form.

2020-21 NYA & University Arts Video Showcase: Award winners and nominees may submit a video of their performance of a musical number or monologue for the 2020-21 Video Showcase using this form: http://www.nationalyouththeatre.com/news/news_nya_showcase2021.asp. The 2020-21 showcase will wrap up either in the winter or spring of 2021. At that time the showcases will also be adjudicated for both regional and national showcase honors.

NYA Alumni: During the 2019-20 season, former NYA award winners have been involved in more than a dozen Broadway shows (including Hadestown, Hamilton, Jagged Little Pill, Come From Away, The Prom, Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon, The Ferryman, Mean Girls, Grand Horizons, West Side Story) and principal performers on more than twenty current or scheduled TV shows (including Dynasty, Stranger Things, Nancy Drew, Queen Sugar, DuckTales, The L Word, The Twilight Zone, The Stand, The Undoing, High School Musical, Criminal Minds, Black-ish, Batwoman, Dispatches from Elsewhere,  Arrow, The Prom, Mr. Iglesias, Atypical, Veronica Mars, The Gifted, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), as well as principals in films including Frozen 2, Eternals, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Doctor Sleep, Dinner in America, Kajillionaire, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

A few award-winning alumni include three Tony Nominees, Ashley Park [2009 Winner] (Gretchen in Mean Girls), Emily Skeggs [2008] (Medium Alison in Fun Home) & Madeleine Foster Bersin [2010] as producer of What the Constitution Means to Me, as well as Asher Angel [2013, '14, '15] (Film: Billy Batson in Shazam!, TV: Jonah Beck in Andi Mack), Lia McHugh [2018] (Film: Sprite in Marvel's Eternals), Jackie Foster [2010, '12, '13, '14] (TV: The Voice Semifinalist, Lollapalooza), Rachel Matthews [2011, '12] (Film: Honeymaren in Frozen 2, Danielle in Happy Death Day), Veronica Dunne [2011, '12, '13] (Broadway: Roxie in Chicago, TV: Marisa Clark in K.C. Undercover), Francesca Reale [2012] (TV: Heather in Stranger Things), Julia Lester [2017] (Ashlyn in Disney's High School Musical: The Musical), Rachel Redleaf [2011, '12, '13, '14] (Mama Cass in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Beth in Atypical),  Kennedy McMann [2013, '14] (TV: Nancy Drew in The CW's Nancy Drew), Brennyn Lark [2011] (Broadway: Eponine in Les Mis, TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and Grammy winner Ariana Grande [2009]

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 over the age of 18 (your parent or guardian)


Rob Hopper
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts



Arizona - East Valley
Order Page 
NYA Awards
 | Nominees

And the Winners are ...



Outstanding Production:


Columbinus
(Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding College Production:

Rent
(Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Choral Production (College Division):
Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Home for the Holidays (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Artist of the Year:

Kylie Burge (Elle Woods in Limelight's Legally Blonde, Anna in EVCT's Frozen Jr., Toffee in Zombie Prom and Katherine Blake in Freaky Friday @ Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Kalei Cotecson (Danielle in Bring It On @ AYT, Leading Player in Pippin @ AYT, Top 10 Showcase National Finalist - They Just Keep Moving the Line from SmashNYA Certificate
Jack Yampolsky (Jack Kelly in DST’s Newsies, Bernstein in Spotlight’s Dogfight, Seymour in DMHS’s Little Shop of HorrorsNYA Certificate

Junior Artist of the Year:

Lachlan Henderson (Olaf in Frozen Jr. & Matilda Cobblestone in The Elves and the Shoemaker @ Fountain Hills Youth Theater, Edith Zuckerman in Charlotte’s Web @ TheaterWorks)  NYA Certificate  
It is with great pleasure, gratitude, and humility that I receive this award. 8 years ago, I attended my first ever theatre workshop at Fountain Hills Theater. I had no idea what to expect and no idea what was to come. Ms. Paige Beckman lit a fire in me that has continued to burn ever since. By being a theater kid I have learned about friendship, responsibility, organization, memorization, team work, fun, and creativity. I learned to show up, know my lines, and be on time (aka early, otherwise, you’re late). Theater became my happy place, and my second home. This year alone, I got to enter the magic world of Arendelle as a sidekick snowman, maintain poor posture in order to portray an old woman (sorry, Mom, I know, “Stand up straight!”), spread love and goodness through magical footwear in Elves and the Shoemaker, and I got my Cowgirl on, and witnessed the magic of Charlotte's Web. Thanks to theater, I have made more friends, had more interesting experiences (and a few notable injuries), and grown more as a young person than I otherwise would have. I would like to sincerely thank Rob Hopper and the NYAs. Without you, the youth arts would not be where it is today. You are every youth performers’ biggest fan. I also would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the staff and crew members at Fountain Hills Theater and TheaterWorks for their hard work on the shows this season, and every season. Thank you for believing in me, and giving me a chance to further grow and develop myself as a human being, and as an artist. And as always, thank you Mom and Dad for supporting me, ever since little six year old Lachlan walked through the doors of a Cinderella camp, and entered the magical world of the theater! Also, a huge shoutout to all of the castmates and techies that I had the opportunity to work with. Making magic is a team sport, and I’ve been extremely lucky to work with and grow with such talented people! Like everyone, I can’t wait till the curtains rise again. I can only hope that these “unprecedented times” move along and come to an end as fast as closing night arrives! Thank you, and see you when the curtains rise, again!

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical:
Nainoa Aguano as Chad in All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate

Tawny Audi as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Liv Boscardin as Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Abby Cardenas as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate
Grace Carlson as Donna in Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Kristiana Corona as Anna in Frozen Jr. (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate
Bennett Curran as Baker in Into the Woods (Notre Dame Prep)  NYA Certificate

Brach Drew as Cat in the Hat in Seussical (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate
  (Production photo by Devon Adams)
Gracie Gamble as Wednesday in The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
I am Honored and humbled to have been given this award. I could not of done it without the phenomenal cast and crew of The Addams Family that helped every step of the way! I would like to thank Ms. Heather Gillen for her guidance and support during production of the show. And lastly I want to thank my mom for all the hours on set for hair and makeup, plus the love, support and encouragement. Thank you!

Noa Gauthier as Mimi in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Kyle Hoffmaster as Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate

George Nassar as Moritz in Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
  
(Production photo by Durant Photography)

Ainsley Orozco
as Wendla in Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Matthew Pitman as Jonny in Zombie Prom (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate
Haley Reed as Campbell in Bring It On (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Riley Thornton as Melchior in Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Jack Walton as Mark in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Jessica Wastchak as Elsa in Frozen Jr. (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate

Ryan Weiland as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate
Macie Wilson as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Desert Mountain High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play:

Nainoa Aguano as Loner/Dylan Klebold in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Kassandra Diaz as Alejandra in Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Brach Drew as Wadsworth in Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate

Manuel Edrozo as Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate
Cami Hagen as Francoise in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

Ever Ruiz as Freak/Eric Harris in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Olivia Woodward-Shaw as Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Lead Performance (Junior Division):

Ashley Gebhard as RJ in Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Adia Gleave as Patrice in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Hailey Laidig as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical Jr. (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Lily Nelson as Elsa in Frozen Jr. (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Taylor Peel as Anna in Frozen Jr. (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Jacob Price as Emmett in Legally Blonde Jr. (Cocopah Middle School)  NYA Certificate
Camryn Taylor as Grace Bradley in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
"I would like to thank all the wonderful people who helped put the show together. All my thanks to the directors, Emma England, Gillian Elliot and Brianna Fallon, and Carol Webb, vocal director/vocal coach. Also a big thanks to the set designers, costume designers, and parent volunteers who helped with the show as well. I am pleased to give a very special thanks to the amazing, talented cast of Best Christmas Pageant Ever. They were very fun to work with and very supportive. One last thanks to Limelight Performing Arts for giving me the opportunity to portray such a compassionate and determined character. The vision of the show came together in a remarkable way that spread a sweet holiday message to families and friends. One last shout-out to my family for their love and support. Thank You!"

Outstanding Lead Performance (College Division):

Kale Burr as Roger in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Noah Delgado as Leading Player in Pippin (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Supporting Performance (College Division):
Erin Tarkington as Lily St. Regis in Annie (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Greer Tornquist as Maureen in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Bennett Allen Wood as Angel in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate
Having the honor and privilege of playing such an important and relatable and relevant character such as Angel Dumott Schunard was truly life-changing. Angel sees the world for all that is has to offer and is most definitely a glass-half-full kind of gal. As a queer non-conforming gendered individual myself, Angel taught me how to always be 100% me and not to ever care what others think. Rent is a timeless piece of theatre that must be protected at all costs and never stop being produced. There are issues in the show that are unfortunately still very prevalent and pressing issues today: racism, sexism, mistreatment of sex workers, homophobia, the list goes on. Jonathan Larson knew what he was writing even back in the late 80’s, and I think if he were still alive today, he would be so proud to see what kind of an impact his show has made on so many people. Thank you to Rob Hopper and the NYAs, thank you to Maureen Dias Watson for entrusting me with such a beautiful and important role and for shaping Angel into me and me into Angel, thank you to my stage partner and my dear friend Micah Lawrence, or to me, my Tom Collins, congratulations to you, I’ll (always) Cover You, and congratulations and thank you from the bottom of my sequin-covered, high-heeled wearing heart to the rest of my cast AND crew. We may have been highly recognized as a production, but the biggest award for me was sharing the stage with each and every one of you. I love you all dearly and I look forward to a time where we can all reunite and sing Seasons of Love together... and cry a lot. Thank you to my close friends and family who are the reason why I am able to follow my dream every single day, and encourage me every step of the way. And lastly, thank you Angel. You taught me to be myself, to love myself, to love everyone around me, and to always love unconditionally, no matter who or what is in my way. “No day but today.” Black Lives Matter. Black Trans Lives Matter. Vote. I have rights as a gay person because of a black trans woman.

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical:
Olivia Brydon as Catherine in Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
  (Photo by Devon Adams)
Donelly Clark as Alice in The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate

Manuel Edrozo as Eddie Flagrante in Zombie Prom (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Riley Glick
as Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate

Tatum Grell as Ilse in Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Preston Kersting as Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate

Micah Lawrence as Collins in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Destinee McCaster as Joanne in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Ronnie Mizquez as Rusty in Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Shayna Padjen as Fastrada in Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Hayden Skaggs as Billy Flynn in Chicago (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Noah Sucato as Crutchie in Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Autumn Towne as Sandra in All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate

Tyler Velarde as Vi Moore in Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate

Sydney Volker as Miss Delilah Strict in Zombie Prom (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play:
Liz Del Vecchio as Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
I am honored to be nominated and win my first NYA. The Great Gatsby was a show I'll never forget and the highlight of my freshmen year at Chandler High. Id like to give a huge thanks to Ms. Likes and Ms. Kolacki for being the amazing directors and women they are. If it wasn't for their phenomenal leadership I wouldn't have had such a developed character and successful performance.
Sabrina Harding as Mounette in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate
Hope Niven as Yvonne in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

Sophia Penn as Perfect in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Delaney Starks as Agnes in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

Ali Tichavsky as Faith in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Eden Tornquist as Rebel in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Supporting Performance (Junior Division):
Natalie Arko as Spider in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Evan Brady as Pugsley in The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Olivia Feldman as Lucy in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Ella Morelli as Ladybug in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Marco Velasquez as Olaf in Frozen Jr. (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate


Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical (College Division):
Joseph Cavazos as Benny in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical:

Kevin Wang as Hanschen & Rupert in Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play:

Riley Van Cleve as Teacher in The Butterfly Queen (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Featured Performance (Junior Division):

Mia Angelina as Serena in Legally Blonde (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Cole Blubaum as Wolf in Into the Woods (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Addison Nelson as Middle Elsa/Ensemble in Frozen Jr. (Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Choral Soloist:
Lauren Pawletzki as Glinda in Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Ensemble:
  (Photo by Devon Adams)
The Addams Family
(Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate

Columbinus
(Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Legally Blonde (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Little Shop of Horrors (Desert Mountain High School)  NYA Certificate
Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Spring Awakening
(Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate
Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate
Zombie Prom (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division):

13
(Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding College Ensemble:
A Long Time Ago (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Rent
(Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Costume Design:
Kristin Dybvig-Pawelko & Rebecca Call for Frozen Jr. (Valley of the Sun JCC)  NYA Certificate
Emma England for Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Lighting Design:

Stacey Walston for Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Set Design:
Pete Jacobson for Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate
Ross Collins for The Elves and the Shoemaker (Fountain Hills Youth Theater)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Student Choreography:
Lauren Oh for Little Shop of Horrors (Desert Mountain High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Choreography:
Audrey Sullivan for Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Sound Design/Original Music:
Maliqui Brown for Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

Karen Rolston for Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Youth Orchestra:
Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Musical Direction:

Curtis Moeller and Mary Ellen Loose for Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Direction:
Lisa Barton Figueroa for Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Pete Bish for Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Maureen Dias-Watson for Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate
Kyle Spitler for Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

 

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



Outstanding Production:

All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate
Frozen Jr. (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate
Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Seussical (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate

Spring Awakening
(Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate
Young Frankenstein (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Zombie Prom (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Production (Junior Division):
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Frozen Jr. (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical:
Kara Armstrong as Aunt Spiker in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Jake Ashton as Pippin in Pippin (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
  (Photo by Devon Adams)
Benton Blonde as Gomez in The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
Lexi Field as Ariel Moore in Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Ashleigh Herek as Aunt Sponge in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Logan Holmes as Ren McCormack in Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
  (Photo by Devon Adams)
Isla Hubbard as Morticia in The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
Dean Kelldorf as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Kayla King as Leading Player in Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Sadie Krotonsky as Katherine in Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Olivia La Porte
as Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Notre Dame Prep)  NYA Certificate
Garrett Lindsey as Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Tré Moore as Kristoff in Frozen Jr. (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Brandt Norris as Pippin in Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Danielle Obergh as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Kyra O’Connor as Velma Kelly in Chicago (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Amelia Oliver as Natalie/Ed in All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Ashley Thomson as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate
Eden Tornquist as Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Jamie Villarreal as Morticia in The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Sydney Volker as Ellie Blake in Freaky Friday (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate
Bonnie Wanstreet as Inga in Young Frankenstein (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Annie Washburn as Roxie Hart in Chicago (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play:
Ryan Cogley as Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Charlize Cornejo as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Matthew Gross as Juror Eight in 12 Angry Jurors (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Elijah Newton as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate

McKennah Olson as Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate

Matthew Pitman
as Boy/Peter in Peter and the Starcatcher (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Lauren Skemp as Macy in Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse (Notre Dame Prep)  NYA Certificate
Ashley Thomson as Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate

Tyler Velarde as Juror Eight in 12 Angry Jurors (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Haley Whinery as Gina in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Lead Performance (Junior Division):
Carter Gianetti as Bert in Mary Poppins (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Hailey Glicksman as Ladahlord in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Brynn Granger as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Kayla Hardin as Miss Nelson in Miss Nelson is Missing (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Baylee Horvath as Annie in Annie (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Baylee Horvath as Aunt Sponge in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Baylee Horvath as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Evan Kaushesh as Evan in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Noelle Krugman
as Anna in Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Carter Neef as Kristoff in Frozen Jr. (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Nora Palermo as Elsa in Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Ethan Roga as James Trotter in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Hana Schmidt as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde Jr. (Cocopah Middle School)  NYA Certificate
Meg Shembekar as Aunt Spiker in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Bennett Smith as Jesus in Godspell (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Moranda Smith as Virginia in Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Audra South as JoJo/Boy in Seussical Jr. (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Sophie Swingler
as Anna in Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Xander Zeeb as James Trotter in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Lead Performance (College Division):

Noah Delgado as Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Bailey Gorman as Igor in Young Frankenstein (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Supporting Performance (College Division):
Bear Golden as J. Finch Fletchley in Puffs (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Will Rippenkroeger as Cedric/Mr. Voldy in Puffs (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical:
Libby Carr as Helen Armstrong in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Avery Chisenski as Dean in All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Charlize Cornejo as Sylvia in All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Hunter Frye as Witch in Into the Woods (Notre Dame Prep)  NYA Certificate
Jordan Gingell as Professor Callahan/Winthrop in Legally Blonde (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Kyler Glazier as Toby in Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate

Trey Godzich as Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate
Maile Griego as Rosie in Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Matthew Gross as Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Dean Kelldorf as Amos Hart in Chicago (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Connor Klein as Davey in Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
  (Photo by Devon Adams)
Kale Klein as Lucas in The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
Kennady MacDonald as Paulette in Legally Blonde (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
  (Photo by Devon Adams)
Brennan Merrill as Fester in The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
Caitlyn Miller as Catherine in Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Ava Pack as Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Lauren Reilly as Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors (Desert Mountain High School)  NYA Certificate
Chloe Rozalsky as Mayor Clankbattle in The Elves and the Shoemaker (Fountain Hills Youth Theater)  NYA Certificate
Ever Ruiz as Dennis in All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Anne Schermerhorn as Alice in The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Hayden Skaggs as Sam in Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Owen Stewart as Harry in Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Noah Sucato as Glen Guglia in The Wedding Singer (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Avery Taulbee as Lady Larkin in Once Upon a Mattress (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate

Riley Thornton as Eddie in Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Carson Ware as King Sextimus in Once Upon a Mattress (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Andy Wissink as Bill in Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Zoe Woods as Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Chase Zeiner as The Monster in Young Frankenstein (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play:

Logan Aryes as Gamma in Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Connor Besemer as Alf in Peter and the Starcatcher (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Spencer Blanchard as Jock in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Benton Blonde as Fenris Ulf in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate

Bennett Curran as Prep in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Mia Dickson as Norma Pike, Marion Jay in Trap (Desert Vista High School)  NYA Certificate
Jasper Dillon as Juror Four in 12 Angry Jurors (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Jasmyn Gade as Denise in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate
Gianna Iorio as Willow in Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse (Notre Dame Prep)  NYA Certificate
Emily Jacoby as Mrs. Bumbrake in Peter and the Starcatcher (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate
Lindsay Kaminsky as Juror Four in 12 Angry Jurors (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Sam Klinghagen as Juror Three in 12 Angry Jurors (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate

Grace Kuhn as Alpha in Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Antonio Lovato as Mr. Green in Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate
Sienna Madriaga as Berthe in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

Tatum Mason as Dwarf in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate

Cora Mesa as White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
Rashad Moore as Colonel Mustard in Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate

George Nassar as AP in Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Delani Piasecki as Gwendolyn Heche in Trap (Desert Vista High School)  NYA Certificate
Jamie Ross as Angela in Trap (Desert Vista High School)  NYA Certificate
Belle Scialo as Claire in Who Will Carry the Word (Queen Creek High School)  NYA Certificate

Rylee Scott as Wolf in Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Kyrian Sowards as Professor Plum in Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate
Izzy Stephens as Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Diego Wagner as Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Supporting Performance (Junior Division):
Laine Bombard as Lewis in Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Max Casale as Earthworm in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Kylan Chait as Archie in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Paige Erdmann as Mayzie La Bird in Seussical Jr. (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Olivia Rose Feldman as Nala in The Lion King Jr. (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Samia Hankinson-Miller as Gladys Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Sydney Hassler as Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Hailey Laidig as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Raquel Murrietta as Kendra in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Aaron Neubeck as Timon in The Lion King Jr. (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Bo O’Brasky as Pumbaa in The Lion King Jr. (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Declan Skaggs as Brett in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Abigail Springer as Imogene Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Samantha Stinnett as Ladahlord in James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Samantha Stinnett as Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Marco Velasquez as Nugget in Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Xander Zeeb as Lion in The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical:

Hailey Boiarsky as Rosie in The Wedding Singer (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Liv Boscardin as Martha in Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Taylor Penn as Mark’s Mom/Ensemble in Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate
Christopher Poulios as Race in Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Allie Rose as Grandma in The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Annika Seoane as Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady (Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play:
Vincent Farley as Detective McSmogg in Miss Nelson is Missing (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Hunter Frye as Gym Teacher in Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse (Notre Dame Prep)  NYA Certificate
Frankie Keffer as Police Operator in Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse (Notre Dame Prep)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Featured Performance (Junior Division):
Kai Ahlman as Weasleton in Frozen Jr. (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Morgan Anderson as Middle Elsa in Frozen Jr. (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Petra Danek as Young/Mid Elsa in Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Lynden Jarman as Eddie in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Boston Laney as Malcolm in 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

McKenzie Lopezlira as Molly in Annie (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Riley Mellon as Young/Mid Elsa in Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Ella Morelli as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Kendall Morgan as We Be Glee Company in Beehive (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Anna Scales
as Young/Mid Anna in Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Anna Swingler as Young/Mid Anna in Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Choral Soloist:
Wyatt Eastman as Audrey II in Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Ross Nemeth as Seymour in Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Bridget Rhee as Audrey in Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Hudson Wilcox as Dentist in Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Jaxon Wilcox as Soloist in Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Ensemble:
The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
The Butterfly Queen (Hamilton High School) 
Chicago (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
The Elves and the Shoemaker (Fountain Hills Youth Theater)  NYA Certificate
Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate
Freaky Friday (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate

Frozen Jr.
(East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

My Fair Lady
(Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate
Peter and the Starcatcher (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate
Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada
(East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Trap (Desert Vista High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division):
Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Seussical Jr. (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Guest Ensemble:
Annie (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Costume Design:
Benjamin Bozovich for Frozen Jr. (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Benjamin Bozovich for Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Emma England for Into the Woods (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Emma England for Seussical Jr. (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Petra Jakubczyk and Sam Landtiser for My Fair Lady (Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate

Barbara Jakucki for Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Barbara Jakucki for Frozen Jr. (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Maxine Kruse for Frozen Jr. (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate
Diana Likes for All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Marcie Rozalsky and Allison Hacker for The Elves and the Shoemaker (Fountain Hills Youth Theater)  NYA Certificate
Amanda Zeeb for The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)

Outstanding Lighting Design:
Michael Bouchard for Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate
Brady Fiscus for The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Abby Flanigan for Frozen Jr. (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate
Natalie Hale for Trap (Desert Vista High School)  NYA Certificate
Bill Lorentz for All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate

Dale Nakagawa for Columbinus (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Bob Nelson for Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Matthew Steward for Footloose (Saguaro High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Set Design:
Tanja Bauerie and Kym Smith for Frozen Jr. (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Dori Brown for Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Tom Holmberg for Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Choreography:
Lynzee 4Man for Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Emma England for Legally Blonde (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Emma England for Seussical Jr. (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Madison MacDonald for Chicago (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Madison MacDonald for Mamma Mia! (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Dale Nakagawa for Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate
Emily Temple for My Fair Lady (Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate

Johnna Watson for Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Tiffany White, Stephanie Likes, Katie Kolacki for All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Sound Design/Original Music:
Amanda Bell for Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate
Matthew Steward for Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Vance “Kit” Williamson for The Wizard of Oz (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Hair/Makeup Design:

Cori L. Johnson for Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Youth Orchestra:
Pippin (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Musical Direction:
Mark 4Man for Newsies (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Vance Acker for Frozen Jr. (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate
Mary Ellen Loose for Rent (Scottsdale Community Players)  NYA Certificate
Lori Lyford for All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding Direction:
Kristin Alba and Erin Tarkington for James and the Giant Peach (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Lisa Barton Figueroa for The Addams Family (Desert Stages Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Ed Como for Sweeney Todd (Chaparral High School)  NYA Certificate
Don Crosby for My Fair Lady (Veritas Prep Academy)  NYA Certificate
Randy Duren for Zombie Prom (Perry High School)  NYA Certificate
Gillian Elliott, Emma England, & Brianna Fallon for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Heather Gillen for The Addams Family (Williams Field High School)  NYA Certificate
Jim Gradillas for 13 (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Shawn Hansen for Pippin (Limelight Performing Arts)  NYA Certificate
Allison Kluch and Jeanette Winzeler for Broadway Under the Stars: Once Upon a Time (Horizon High School)  NYA Certificate
Stephanie Likes and Katie Kolacki for All Shook Up (Chandler High School)  NYA Certificate
Patrick McChesney for Clue on Stage (Marcos de Niza High School)  NYA Certificate
Karen Rolston for Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Bob Sorenson for Spring Awakening (Greasepaint Youtheatre)  NYA Certificate
Seth Tucker for Young Frankenstein (Actor’s Youth Theatre)  NYA Certificate
Christina Vail for Frozen Jr. (Hamilton High School)  NYA Certificate

Outstanding New Works:

Laura Winters for Space Mission #5379: Saving Rachel Nevada (East Valley Children’s Theatre)  NYA Certificate



 

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