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2015 - 2016 11th Annual National Youth Arts Awards!

~ Orange County - Westminster Ceremony ~

National Youth Arts is excited to begin announcing the winners of our 11th Annual National Youth Arts Awards to honor outstanding work by youth in the arts. This year more than 500 productions were considered for the awards, including shows from more than 160 different members in more than 70 cities spanning 15 states. For information on how to get involved, please click here.

This year's award winners were selected from nominations by a panel of more than 40 judges and reviewers. In addition to the youth who performed in schools and youth theatre 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. This year also sees the beginning of the 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!

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

Rob Hopper
rob@nationalyouththeatre.com
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts

Orange County Ceremony - Westminster
RSVP
NYA Awards | Nominees
UniArts Awards | Nominees
Wednesday, May 25
Registration begins @ 7:15 p.m.
Awards Presentation begins @ 8:00 p.m.
Rose Center Theater
14140 All American Way
Westminster, CA 92683

Please click here for more details and ticket information

And the Winners are ...

Outstanding Production:
The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)
Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)
Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
Jeffery Baker as Cat in the Hat in Seussical, Jr. (Mission Viejo High School)
Alex Gotch as Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd (Fullerton Union High School)
Ryan Han as Mortimer in Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)
Daniel Klevit as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Dane Madrigal as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)
Kian Morehead as Bobby Child in Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)
Cole Wachman as Pippin in Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical:
Taylor Aragon as Leading Player in Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Shanna Brajevic as Polly Baker in Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)
Mary Desmond as Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)
Sophia Didier as Morticia Addams in The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Madison Ligtermoet as Hope Cladwell in Urinetown (Orange County School of the Arts)
Alexandra Worden as Morticia in The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)
Alexandra Worden as Jo in Little Women: The Musical (Tri-School Theatre)
Siena Yusi as Mildred in Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:
Kyle Bode as C.B. in Dog Sees God (Coat-Hanger Sculpture Productions)
Josiah Haugen as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps (Fullerton Union High School)
Sam Johnson as Bernard in Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Jacob Menke as Robert in Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:
McCallister Selva as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division):
Tom Nellesen as Fagin in Oliver! (Junior Thespian Productions)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division):
Izzy Sarabia as Sorceress of Silence in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical:
Brandon Martinez as Fester in The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)
Ben Sellers as Oscar Lindquist in Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)
Adrian Villegas as Charlemagne in Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
Tamara Armstrong as Schwarzy in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Clemente High School)
Haley Fuchs as Meg in Little Women: The Musical (Tri-School Theatre)
Gianna Gazich as Beth in Little Women: The Musical (Tri-School Theatre)
Camryn Kim as Little Sally in Urinetown (Orange County School of the Arts)
Cassidy McCleary as Alice Beineke in The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Chanel Morehead as Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown (Orange County School of the Arts)
Allyson Peffers as Catherine in Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Hope Spires as Gertrude in Seussical, Jr. (Mission Viejo High School)
McKenna Wells as Irene Roth in Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division):
Trevor Yusi as Rodney in Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division):
Samantha Shon as Tangy Error in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play:
Christian Vunipola as Matt in Dog Sees God (Coat-Hanger Sculpture Productions)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:
Rachel Fishbough as Gabriella in Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Alyssa Hall as Gretchen in Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Alexa Hillman as Annabella Schmidt and McQuarrie in The 39 Steps (Fullerton Union High School)
Rosella Juliano as Berthe in Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Shannon Mahoney as Gloria in Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:
Delaney Marchant as Grandma Addams in The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)

Outstanding Ensemble:
The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Dog Sees God (Coat-Hanger Sculpture Productions)
On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Sweeney Todd (Fullerton Union High School)
Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division):
Musicville / Toy Story (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Oliver! (Junior Thespian Productions)

Outstanding Costume Design:
Sean McMullen for Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)

Outstanding Set Design:
Isabella DiLauro and Tatyana Miller for On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Scott Kahler for The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)

Outstanding Choreography:
Kristi Davar for Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)
Casey Garritano for Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)

Outstanding Youth Orchestra:
Sweeney Todd (Fullerton Union High School)
Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)

Outstanding Direction:
Paris Arrowsmith for Dog Sees God (Coat-Hanger Sculpture Productions)
Kathleen Cannarozzi Harris for Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)
Daniel Ingram for The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Tim Nelson for Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Robert Rotenberry for Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actor (UniArts Awards):
Nick Manfredi as Dr. Thomas Stockmann in Enemy of the People (UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts)
Jordan Schneider as Berger in Hair (Chapman University)

Outstanding Lead Actress (UniArts Awards):
Anna Belmer as Sheila in Hair (Chapman University)
Kristen Daniels as Petra Stockmann in Enemy of the People (UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts)
Jennifer Holcombe as Mayor Betta Stockmann in Enemy of the People (UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts)
Alex Raby as Catherine Stockmann in Enemy of the People (UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts)
Dayna Sauble as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (Golden West College Theater Arts)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (UniArts Awards):
Parker Apple as Woof in Hair (Chapman University)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (UniArts Awards):
Victoria Bohush as Jeanie in Hair (Chapman University)

Outstanding Ensemble (UniArts Awards):
Hair (Chapman University)

Outstanding Direction (UniArts Awards):
Shannon Corenthin and Tosh Turner for Hair (Chapman University)
Jane Page for Enemy of the People (UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts)
Martie Ramm for Mary Poppins (Golden West College Theater Arts)

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

Outstanding Production:
The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Boeing Boeing (Academy for the Performing Arts)
The Would-Be Gentleman (Tri-School Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
Adam Blanchard as Irwin S. Irving/Buddy Fidler in City of Angels (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Daniel Klevit as William Morris Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Clemente High School)
Ben Sellers as Horton in Seussical, Jr. (Mission Viejo High School)
Adrian Villegas as Stone in City of Angels (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Cole Wachman as Stine in City of Angels (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical:
Katherine Chatman as Clara in The Light in the Piazza (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Alexa Hillman as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Fullerton Union High School)
Rossella Juliano as Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Cassidy McCleary as Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Clemente High School)
Vitoria Villalobos as Wednesday in The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:
Ryan Han as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (Laguna Playhouse)
Jonathan Jackson as Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (San Clemente High School)
Andy Jacobson as Christopher in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Daniel Lesnick as Eugene Gant in Look Homeward, Angel (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Jacob Menke as Weinberl in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Grant Rincon as W. O. Gant in Look Homeward, Angel (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Grant Rincon as Zangler in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:
Emma Baltodano as Eliza Gant in Look Homeward, Angel (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Kaylie Flowers as Antigone in Antigone (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Genna Hewett-Abbott as Olive Madison in The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Mission Viejo High School)
Virginia Rumbaugh as Mary Tilford in The Children�s Hour (Mission Viejo High School)
Katie Van Horn as Florence Unger in The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Mission Viejo High School)

Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division):
Jake Czochanski as Radical Rhythm in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Casey Hirsh as Radical Rhythm in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Tommy Jacobs as Woody in Toy Story (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Milan Jovanovic as Buzz in Toy Story (Canyon Vista Elementary School)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division):
Sophia Anapoell as Maiden Melody in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Sara Lloyd as Nancy in Oliver! (Junior Thespian Productions)
Samantha Wyatt as Maiden Melody in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical:
Garrett Claud as Fester Addams in The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Noah Martinez as Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd (Fullerton Union High School)
Adrian Villegas as Signor Naccarelli in The Light in the Piazza (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
Tamara Armstrong as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Annie Combs as Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Clemente High School)
Laura Harris as Berthe in Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Autumn Kirkpatrick as Fastrada in Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Brionne Kirkwood as Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Clemente High School)
Jenna Luck as Nikki in Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)
Carlie McCleary as Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Kayla Morgan as Mayzie in Seussical, Jr. (Mission Viejo High School)
Kayla Morgan as Helene in Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)
Devoree Shields as JoJo in Seussical, Jr. (Mission Viejo High School)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division):
Joey Laderer as Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division):
Alana Ervoes as Half-Rest in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Sophie Jacobs as Eighth-Rest in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Ava Messerschmidt as Solo of Soul in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Haley Polich as Counterpoint in Musicville (Canyon Vista Elementary School)
Brynn Savage as Jessie in Toy Story (Canyon Vista Elementary School)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play:
Jeremy Garcia as Beethoven in Dog Sees God (Coat-Hanger Sculpture Productions)
Sam Johnson as Melchior in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Daniel Klevit as Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol (San Clemente High School)
Jacob Menke as Creon in Antigone (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Jacob Menke as Hugh Barton in Look Homeward, Angel (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:
Bianca Beach as Mrs. Amelia Tilford in The Children�s Hour (Mission Viejo High School)
Danielle Dimarco as Spirit: Past in A Christmas Carol (San Clemente High School)
Sidney Farrar as Frau Fischer in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Alyssa Hall as Madame Knorr in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Katie McGowan as Spirit: Present in A Christmas Carol (San Clemente High School)
Kate Napoli as Frau Fischer in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Sophia Racke as Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (San Clemente High School)
Sarah Rochelle as Van�s Sister in Dog Sees God (Coat-Hanger Sculpture Productions)
Siena Yusi as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:
Ryan Livesay as Victorio Vidal in Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:
Cecilia Balagot as Patsy in Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play:
Rachel Fishbough as Lisette in On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Valerie Robfogel as Nurse in Antigone (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Featured Actress (Junior Division):
Samia El-Erian as Date � Heart in Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)
Nini Guerry as Date � Candy in Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Ensemble:
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Clemente High School)
The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)
Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)
Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Romeo and Juliet (Laguna Playhouse)
Seussical, Jr. (Mission Viejo High School)
Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)

Outstanding Costume Design:
Jordan Carabajal, Marissa Sellers, Marissa Wilson for Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Gianna Francisco and Reanne Wang for On the Razzle (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Sean McMullen for The Fantasticks (Orange County School of the Arts)
Holly Nellesen for Oliver! (Junior Thespian Productions)
Dwight Richard Odle for Romeo and Juliet (Laguna Playhouse)
The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)

Outstanding Set Design:
Molly Godlewski and Jenny Park for Look Homeward, Angel (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Sean McMullen for Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)
Jim Prodger for Romeo and Juliet (Laguna Playhouse)

Outstanding Lighting Design:
Josh Behrens for Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Choreography:
The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Marco A. Carreon for Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)
Diane Makas for Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)
Laurie Mason for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Clemente High School)
Melissa Staab for Urinetown (Orange County School of the Arts)

Outstanding Hair/Makeup:
The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)

Outstanding Youth Orchestra:
The Addams Family (San Clemente High School)
Pippin (Academy for the Performing Arts)

Outstanding Musical Direction:
Amy Eklund for Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)
John Hannan for Sweet Charity (Mission Viejo High School)

Outstanding Direction:
Kelly Herman for Zombie in Love (Laguna Playhouse)
Jeff Paul for Crazy For You (Orange County School of the Arts)
Hillary Pearson for The Addams Family (Tri-School Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actor (UniArts Awards):
Austin Kinzer as Claude in Hair (Chapman University)
Zackery White as Bert in Mary Poppins (Golden West College Theater Arts)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (UniArts Awards):
Jay Harbison as George Banks in Mary Poppins (Golden West College Theater Arts)
Rehjii Martin as Hud in Hair (Chapman University)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (UniArts Awards):
Samantha Isidro as Dionne in Hair (Chapman University)
McKenna Ryan as Crissy in Hair (Chapman University)

Outstanding Choreography (UniArts Awards):
Spencer Biggs, Chris Marks, and Courtney Zelter for Hair (Chapman University)
Martie Ramm for Mary Poppins (Golden West College Theater Arts)

Outstanding Orchestra (UniArts Awards):
Hair (Chapman University)