2015-2016 National Youth Arts Awards

The National Youth Arts Awards recognized Spotlight’s 2015-2016 theatre season with 63 nominations, listed below. Performers and artists won 20 NYA Awards for their work in Spotlight productions.

Outstanding Production

• Won: Spring Awakening
• Also nominated: Bring It On: The Musical

Artist of the Year

Awarded to outstanding principle performers for multiple productions at multiple theatres:

• Addison Bowman for John Lennon & Me (in addition to Avenue Q at Desert Foothills Theatre and James and the Giant Peach at Valley Youth Theatre)
• Sam Primack for Spring Awakening and Bring It On: The Musical (in addition to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Chaparral High School; and Into the Woods, James and the Giant Peach, and The Little Mermaid at Valley Youth Theatre)
• Michael Schulz for 42nd Street and Spring Awakening (in addition to Into the Woods at Valley Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical

• Won: Vincent Pugliese for Spring Awakening

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical

• Won: Payton Bioletto for Spring Awakening
• Won: Carly Grossman for Bring It On: The Musical
• Won: Phoebe Koyabe for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Katie Czajkowski for 42nd Street
• Nominated: Lily Swope for Cinderella: A Rock and Roll Fairytale

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play

• Won: Ali Giordano for John Lennon & Me
• Nominated: Talya Ginsberg for Fairy Tale Courtroom 

Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division)

• Nominated: Sophia Matin for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Outstanding Guest Actor

• Nominated: Ken Goodenberger for Spring Awakening

Outstanding Guest Actress

• Nominated: Brenda Goodenberger for Spring Awakening

Outstanding Supporting Actor (College Division)

• Nominated: Cody Seaver for 42nd Street 
• Nominated: Cody Seaver for Bring It On: The Musical

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical

• Won: Trey DeGroodt for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Phoenix Briggs for 42nd Street
• Nominated: Spencer Claus for Spring Awakening
• Nominated: Brandon Reyes for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Brandon Reyes for Spring Awakening
• Nominated: Jeremy Yampolsky for Spring Awakening

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical

• Won: Jasmine Bassham for Bring It On: The Musical
• Won: Sophia Deyden for Spring Awakening
• Won: Ava Tyson for Bring It On: The Musical
• Won: Maggie Waller for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Cate Carlino for Bring It On: The Musical 
• Nominated: Cate Carlino for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Nominated: Hahnna Christianson for Spring Awakening
• Nominated: Katie Czajkowski for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Camden Wawro for 42nd Street

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division)

• Nominated: Amy Fishencord for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Nominated: Carly Jacobs for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Nominated: Ava Newton for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Nominated: Oriana Valcamp for John Lennon & Me
• Nominated: Callista Walker for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Nominated: Shannon Whitten for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Outstanding Supporting Actress (College Division)

• Won: Kira Kadel for 42nd Street

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play

• Nominated: Kayla Stillman for John Lennon & Me

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

• Nominated: Clay Rollon for Bring It On: The Musical

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

• Nominated: Sydnie Greger for 42nd Street

Outstanding Ensemble

• Won: Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: 42nd Street and Spring Awakening

Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division)

• Nominated: Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Outstanding Choral Concert

• Nominated: Pitches & Tones Concert

Outstanding Costume Design

• Nominated: Naomi Jordon and Andi Jordon for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Nominated: Josh Hontz for Bring It On: The Musical

Outstanding Set Design

• Won: Bobby Sample for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Nominated: Bobby Sample for Bring It On: The Musical

Outstanding Choreography

• Won: Lynzee 4man for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Lynzee 4man for Spring Awakening
• Nominated: Alicia Frazier for 42nd Street 

Outstanding Hair and Makeup Design

• Nominated: Trey DeGroodt for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Angel DeMichael and Spencer Claus for Spring Awakening

Outstanding Musical Direction

• Won: Mark 4man for Spring Awakening
• Nominated: Mark 4man for Bring It On: The Musical

Outstanding Direction

• Won: Kenny Grossman for Spring Awakening
• Nominated: Kenny Grossman for Bring It On: The Musical
• Nominated: Bobby Sample for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Outstanding New Works

• Nominated: Kenny Grossman for Cinderella: A Rock and Roll Fairytale