2020-2021 National Youth Arts Awards

The National Youth Arts Awards recognized Spotlight’s 2020-2021 season with 58 total nominations. Performers and artists won 23 NYA Awards for their work in Spotlight productions.

Outstanding Production

• Won: The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Artist of the Year

Awarded for outstanding performances of principle roles in multiple productions:

• Rachel Nathan for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (in addition to roles in Arizona Youth Theatre and Limelight Youth Theatre productions)

Junior Artist of the Year

Awarded for outstanding performances of principle roles in multiple productions:

• Brooklyn Martin for Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (in addition to performances at Valley Youth Theatre and NYA Showcase)

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

• Won: Lyda Armistead for The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Anna Koth in Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
• Nominated: Patrick Mullen in Emmett’s Art Project

Outstanding Lead Performance (Junior Division)

• Won: McKenzie Lopezlira in Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical

Outstanding Lead Performance (College Division)

• Won: Christian Bader in The Soul of Frankenstein
• Won: Dean Kelldorf in The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Christian Bader in Whatever, Just Wash Your Hands (A Potty Party)

Outstanding Supporting Performance (College Division)

• Nominated: Dean Kelldorf in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Nominated: Max Mendoza in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical

• Nominated: Jaely Damasco in Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play

• Won: Alexis Archer in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Won: Katelyn Karcher in The Soul of Frankenstein
• Won: Bethany Novotny in The Wolves
• Won: Alec Pursell in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Won: Zachary Snyders in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Won: Allison Watson in The Wolves
• Won: Josie Wright in The Wolves
• Nominated: Lyda Armistead in The Wolves
• Nominated: Carly Cairns in The Wolves
• Nominated: Dominic Cardenas in Whatever, Just Wash Your Hands (A Potty Party)
• Nominated: Jazlynn Damasco in The Wolves
• Nominated: Kendra Goodenberger in Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
• Nominated: Rylee Hoil in The Wolves
• Nominated: Julia Murphy in The Wolves
• Nominated: Raegan Parker in The Wolves
• Nominated: Bella Swope in Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
• Nominated: Callista Walker in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Nominated: Emma Woolstenhulme in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Outstanding Supporting Performance (Junior Division)

• Nominated: Mia Hurley in Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
• Nominated: Ava Newton in Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
• Nominated: William Richardson in Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
• Nominated: Kayla Treviño in Emmett’s Art Project

Outstanding Ensemble

• Won: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Won: The Wolves
• Nominated: Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
• Nominated: Emmett’s Art Project
• Nominated: The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Whatever, Just Wash Your Hands (A Potty Party)

Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division)

• Nominated: Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical

Outstanding Costume Design

• Won: Samantha Utpadel for A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Nominated: Naomi Jordon & Andi Marie Jordon for The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Audrey Wawro for Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Won: Josh Hontz for The Soul of Frankenstein

Outstanding Set Design

• Won: Bobby Sample for A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Nominated: Bobby Sample for Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare

Outstanding Choreography

• Nominated: Marley DeGroodt for Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical

Outstanding Fight Choreography

• Nominated: Bobby Sample, Kenny Grossman, Christian Bader, & Dominic Cardenas for The Soul of Frankenstein

Outstanding Sound Design / Original Music

• Won: Josh Hontz for The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Josh Hontz for A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Outstanding Hair/Makeup Design

• Won: Charlie Rabago for The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Alixandra Giordano for Whatever, Just Wash Your Hands (A Potty Party)

Outstanding Direction

• Won: Kenny Grossman & Bobby Sample for The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Adam Bei & Marley DeGroodt for Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
• Nominated: Kenny Grossman for A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Outstanding New Works

• Won: Bobby Sample for The Soul of Frankenstein
• Nominated: Kenny Grossman for Whatever, Just Wash Your Hands (A Potty Party)