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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), 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
rob@nationalyouththeatre.com
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts

Western Regional Ceremony
RSVP 
NYA Awards | Nominees
Monday, September 11
Registration begins @ 6:45 p.m.
Awards Presentation begins @ 7:30 p.m.
Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. 1st Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Please click here for more details and ticket information

And the Winners are ...

Outstanding Production:
In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)
The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
John Abbitt as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
Spencer Claus as Danny Zuko in Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Brandon Hayes as Jason in Bare (Nearly Naked Theatre)
Griffin LeBlanc as Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)
Chris Linthacum as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Mikey Rowe as Curly McLain in Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Daniel Weinberger as Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical:
Isabella Conner as Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)
Sophia Drapeau as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (St. Mary’s Theatre)
Carly Fonda as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Prescott Center for the Arts)
Jayda Mendiola as Wendla in Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Kendra Richards as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Emma Tolman as Laurey Williams in Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Gabby Vatistas as Rosemary in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
Julia Wihongi as Ti Moune in Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:
Spencer Cobin as Jerry Hyland in Once in a Lifetime (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Nico Pacioni as George Lewis in Once in a Lifetime (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:
Thea Eigo as Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)
Liz Grannis as May Daniels in Once in a Lifetime (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Taylor Penn as Boy (Peter) in Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division):
Matthew Dean as Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot (Phoenix Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division):
Elizabeth Birkner as Annie in Annie (Riverton Arts Council, UT)
Ryan Parker as Mary in The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (College Division):
Alyssa Lucero as Nadia in Bare (Nearly Naked Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical:
Colin Anderson as Marius in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Jared Barbee as Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Jack Bloome as Javert in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Steven Enriquez as Lion in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Griffin Fletcher as Biggley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
Vincent Pugliese as Dickon in The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)
Ethan Shanker as Moritz in Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Asher Sheppard as Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Tanner Sumens as Will Parker in Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
Payton Bioletto as Vanessa in In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Brenna Canaday as Holly in The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)
Carly Makani Copp as Betty Rizzo in Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
McKenna Dersam as Smitty in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
Joya Eans as Miss Dorothy Brown in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
Thea Eigo as Ilse in Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Ali Giordano as Linda in The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)
Riley Glick as Ballet Girl/Debbie Wilkinson in Billy Elliot (Phoenix Theatre)
Emily Goes as Eponine in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Alexis Harris as Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Piper Lewis as Fantine in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Cora Stone as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Greer Tornquist as Hedy in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division):
Ross Nemeth as Michael Caffrey in Billy Elliot (Phoenix Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division):
Alexis Archer as Mayzie LaBird in Seussical (Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center)
Faith Wheelington as Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play:
Lucas Kernan as the Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Alex Tuchi as Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:
Talya Ginsberg as Prentiss in Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)

Outstanding Ensemble:
Billy Elliot (Phoenix Theatre)
Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Peter and the Starcatcher (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)

Outstanding Costume Design:
Karol Cooper for Body of Work (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Lighting Design:
Maeson Busk for Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Bret G. Reese for The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Set Design:
Geoffrey M. Eroe for The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Choreography:
Kristina Nagaran, Caroline Wagner, and Ian White for In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)

Outstanding Musical Direction:
Mark Fearey for Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Tristan Peterson-Steinert for The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Direction:
Bobb Cooper for The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)
Maureen Dias for The Laramie Project (Brophy/Xavier Theatre)
Janice Robillard for In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Bronson Todd for Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)

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

Outstanding Production:
Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
The Laramie Project (Brophy/Xavier Theatre)
Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Peter and the Starcatcher (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)
Rock of Ages (Archbishop Mitty High School)
This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (St. Mary’s Catholic High School)
Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
Jack Bloome as Drew Boley in Rock of Ages (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Griffin Fletcher as Usnavi in In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Alex Tuchi as Melchior in Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical:
Kalie Chambers as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
Liz Grannis as Sandy Dumbrowski in Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Julia Miller as Nina Rosario in In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:
Sawyer Bland as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)
Ivan Bracy, Jr. as Boy/Peter in Peter and the Starcatcher (Archbishop Mitty High School)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:
Sophia Drapeau as Albienne in This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (St. Mary’s Catholic High School)
Lauren Engelthaler as Beatrix in This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (St. Mary’s Catholic High School)
Sophie Vaughan as Winnie-the-Pooh in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (Valley Youth Theatre)
Amelia Whitney as Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher (Archbishop Mitty High School)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division):
Kate Brink as Alice in Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical:
Sam Arnold as Jud Fry in Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Max Carter as Daniel in Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Spencer Coben as Benny in In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Jonathan Collins as Moonface Martin in Anything Goes (St. Mary’s Theatre)
Steven Enriquez as Roger in Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Erik Federwisch as Lonny Barnett in Rock of Ages (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Corban Figueroa as Mr. Trevor Graydon III in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
Lucas Kernan as Thenardier in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Ethan Maxwell as Wizard in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Justin Moore as Homer Zuckerman in Charlotte’s Web (Valley Youth Theatre)
Mark Munoz as Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)
Matthew Nathan as George in The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
Kelyn Adams as Camila Rosario in In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Cydney Capulong as Erma in Anything Goes (St. Mary’s Theatre)
Isabella Conner as Jan in Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Tatum Dial as Lily in The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)
Liz Grannis as Daniela in In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Haley Hanni as Frenchy in Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Cynthia Holmes-Landry as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
Natalie Kenning as Mama Euralie in Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Jin-Hee Lee as Cosette in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Caiter Martinez as Rosie in The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)
Shanaya Sales as Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Kate Shein as Abuela Claudia in In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Mariah Stanelle as Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Cora Stone as Erzule in Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Brytan Todd as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Brytan Todd as Papa Ge in Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Sabrina Wilhite as Asaka in Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division):
Josh Pike as Dormouse in Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)
Riley Thornton as Eeyore in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (Valley Youth Theatre)
Owen Watson as Christopher Robin in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (Valley Youth Theatre)
Andy Wissink as Templeton in Charlotte’s Web (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division):
Olivia Fearey as Piglet in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play:
Stokely Berg as Various Roles in The Laramie Project (Brophy/Xavier Theatre)
Devin McManimon McNally as Various Roles in The Laramie Project (Brophy/Xavier Theatre)
Charles Moore as Tweedledum in Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)
Alec Pursell as Tweedledee in Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:
Katie Coury as Susan Walker in Once in a Lifetime (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Mary Long as Various Roles in The Laramie Project (Brophy/Xavier Theatre)
Kate Shein as Miss Leighton in Once in a Lifetime (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Rachel Steinheiser as Various Roles in The Laramie Project (Brophy/Xavier Theatre)

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:
Jared Barbee as Gander in Charlotte’s Web (Valley Youth Theatre)
Jake Bonar as Ernst in Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Sam Brown as Gatekeeper in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:
Theresa Girard as Evangeline Harcourt in Anything Goes (St. Mary’s Theatre)
Fiona Pestana as Enjolras in Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Sophie Vaughan as Martha in Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Ashley Wineinger as Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
Kaitlin Wyse as Ruth in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)

Outstanding Featured Actress (Junior Division):
Vivian Nichols as Lamb in Charlotte’s Web (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Featured Actor (Junior Division):
Ian Gray as Coroner in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Caleb Smalley as Mayor of Munchkinland in The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Riley Thornton as Lurvy in Charlotte’s Web (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Ensemble:
Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)
In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
The Laramie Project (Brophy/Xavier Theatre)
Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Once On This Island (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)
Rock of Ages (Archbishop Mitty High School)
The Secret Garden (Valley Youth Theatre)
The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Costume Design:
Karen Brady for Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Kristina Nagaran for Once in a Lifetime (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)

Outstanding Lighting Design:
Mike Eddy for Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Todd Muller for The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Jonah Nelson for In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Stan Reed for Little Shop of Horrors (Prescott Center for the Arts)

Outstanding Set Design:
Marc Kelly for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
Dori Brown for Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)
Teresa Corderman and Thomas Lytle for In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)
Justin Karr for Peter and the Starcatcher (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Randel Wright for Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Choreography:
Dale Nakagawa for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
Nathalie Velasquez for The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Jessi Young for Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Sound Design/Original Music:
Preston Doyle for In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)

Outstanding Musical Direction:
Lauren Bevilacqua for Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
McKenzie Denison for Oklahoma! (Desert Star Youth Theater, UT)
Curtis Moeller for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Brophy-Xavier Theatre)
Elise W. Kurbat for Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Reynaldo Saenz for In the Heights (Xavier-Brophy Theatre)

Outstanding Direction:
Adam Berger for The Wedding Singer (Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics)
Sandi Carll for Alice in Wonderland (Valley Youth Theatre)
Bobb Cooper for The Wizard of Oz (Valley Youth Theatre)
Bobb Cooper for Grease (Valley Youth Theatre)
Rusty Ferracane for Spring Awakening (Arizona School for the Arts)
Amanda Folena for Les Miserables (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Mary Jane McCloskey for Thoroughly Modern Millie (Northwest Christian School)
Doug Santana for Peter and the Starcatcher (Archbishop Mitty High School)
Sarah Stowell and Xanthia Angel Walker for Peter and the Starcatcher (Arizona School for the Arts)
Kellie Taylor & Kat Schabel for This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (St. Mary’s Catholic High School)