Awards and RecognitionsNews & Updates

2022-2023 National Youth Arts Awards

The National Youth Arts Awards recognized Spotlight’s 2022-2023/ season with 44 total nominations. Performers and artists won 23 NYA Awards for their work in Spotlight productions.

Outstanding Production

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical

  • Won: Owen Donsker as Benny Perkins in Hands on a Hardbody
  • Won: Braiden Lee as Guy in Once
  • Won: Zoey Waller as Girl in Once
  • Nominated: Charlize Cornejo as Laurey Williams in Oklahoma!
  • Nominated: Bella Cucchetti as Lizzie in Lizzie
  • Nominated: Mia Hurley as Donkey in Shrek Jr.
  • Nominated: Zoey Waller as Heather Stovall in Hands on a Hardbody

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

  • Won: Patrick Mullen as Macbeth in Macbeth

Outstanding Lead Performance (Junior Division)

  • Won: Brooklyn Martin as Moana in Moana Jr.

Outstanding Lead Performance (College Division)

  • Won: Wardeh Hanna as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth
  • Won: Josh Pike as Curly McClain in Oklahoma!

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical

  • Won: Olivia Martinez as Various Roles in Runaways
  • Won: Isabella Menzel as Bridget Sullivan/Maggie in Lizzie
  • Won: Zoie Moller as Ado Annie in Oklahoma!
  • Won: Lauren Youngstedt as Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody
  • Nominated: Katerina Anderson as Alice Russell in Lizzie
  • Nominated: Mia Hurley as Kelli Mangrum in Hands on a Hardbody
  • Nominated: Andrei Igdanes as Various Roles in Runaways
  • Nominated: Eeshan Kumar as Billy in Once
  • Nominated: Addi Lauder as Various Roles in Runaways
  • Nominated: Braiden Lee as Frank Nugent in Hands on a Hardbody
  • Nominated: Braiden Lee as Will Parker in Oklahoma!
  • Nominated: Sophia Mengel as Various Roles in Runaways
  • Nominated: Owen Morris as Various Roles in Runaways
  • Nominated: Jay Schwab as Various Roles in Runaways
  • Nominated: Shane Sedivy as Various Roles in Runaways
  • Nominated: Anyiah Smith as Ronnie McCowan in Hands on a Hardbody

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play

  • Nominated: Zoie Moller as Lady MacDuff in Macbeth

Outstanding Supporting Performance (Junior Division)

  • Won: William Richardson as Lord Farquaad in Shrek Jr.
  • Nominated: JR Riddle as Maui in Moana Jr.

Outstanding Supporting Performance (College Division)

  • Won: Lyda Armistead as Janis Curtis in Hands on a Hardbody
  • Won: Jazlynn Damasco as Emma Borden in Lizzie
  • Nominated: Lyda Armistead as Banquo in Macbeth
  • Nominated: Alec Pursell as Jud Fry in Oklahoma!

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

  • Nominated: Amaya Read as First Witch in Macbeth

Outstanding Featured Performance (Junior Division)

  • Won: Reagan Little as Pinocchio in Shrek Jr.
  • Nominated: Sienna Stoll as Gingy in Shrek Jr.
  • Nominated: Valerie Winch as Dragon in Shrek Jr.

Outstanding Ensemble

Outstanding Costume Design

  • Nominated: ANJ, Inc. for Macbeth
  • Nominated: Heather Riddle & Chanel Bragg for Lizzie
  • Nominated: Samantha Utpadel for Runaways
  • Nominated: Audrey Wawro & Camden Wawro for Oklahoma!

Outstanding Lighting Design

Outstanding Set Design

  • Nominated: Rob Adams for Once

Outstanding Choreography

  • Won: Katie Czajkowski for Once
  • Nominated: Katie Czajkowski for Lizzie
  • Nominated: Falin Ossipinsky for Oklahoma!

Outstanding Sound Design

Outstanding Hair/Makeup Design

  • Nominated: Angel DeMichael for Lizzie

Outstanding Musical Direction

  • Won: Elise W. Kurbat for Oklahoma!
  • Nominated: Elise W. Kurbat for Lizzie
  • Nominated: Elise W. Kurbat for Once

Outstanding Direction