2022-2023 ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence

Spotlight Youth Theatre was honored with 15 wins and 47 nominations for ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence for the 2022-2023 season.

Best Overall Production – Youth Musical

• Won: Once

Best Overall Production – Youth Play

• Nominated: Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Actress in a Major Role – Youth Musical

• Won: Zoey Waller for Once
• Nominated: Brooklyn Martin for Disney’s Moana Jr.

Actor in a Major Role – Youth Musical

• Won: Braiden Lee for Once

Actress in a Major Role – Youth Play

• Won: Wardeh Hanna for Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Actor in a Major Role – Youth Play

• Won: Patrick Mullen for Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Actress in a Supporting Role – Youth Musical

• Won: Olivia Martinez for Runaways
• Nominated: Zoie Moller for Oklahoma!
• Nominated: Sophia Mengel for Runaways
• Nominated: Mia Hurley for Shrek the Musical Jr.

Actor in a Supporting Role – Youth Musical

• Won: Eeshan Kumar for Once
• Nominated: Braiden Lee for Oklahoma!
• Nominated: Corban Adams for Once
• Nominated: Owen Morris for Runaways
• Nominated: Shane Sedivy for Runaways
• Nominated: William Richardson for Shrek the Musical Jr.

Actress in a Supporting Role – Youth Play

• Won: Lyda Armistead for Shakespeare’s Macbeth
• Nominated: Zoie Moller for Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Director – Youth Musical

• Won: Kenny Grossman for Once
• Nominated: Luke Bader for Disney’s Moana Jr.

Director – Youth Play

• Nominated: Jack Taylor for Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Musical Direction – Youth Theatre

• Won: Elise Kurbat for Once
• Nominated: Heather Walker for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Nominated: Josh Hontz for Runaways

Choreography – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: Falin Ossipinsky for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Nominated: Katie Czajkowski for Once

Specialized Choreography – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: Kenny Grossman & Katie Czajkowski for Once (Set change choreography)
• Nominated: Jack Taylor for Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Fight choreography)

Scenic Design – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: Mike Armstrong for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Nominated: Rob Adams for Once
• Nominated: Amber Suding, Brianna Funk, & Becky Funk for Shrek the Musical Jr.

Costume Design – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: ANJ, Inc. for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Nominated: Heather Riddle for Shrek the Musical Jr.

Hair and Makeup Design – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: Vicki Jensen for Shrek the Musical Jr.

Lighting Design – Youth Theatre

• Won: Josh Hontz for Once

Sound Design – Youth Theatre

• Won: Anthony Rozzen for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Won: Josh Hontz for Once

Property Design – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: Kenny Grossman & Vicki Grossman for Once

Artistic Specialization – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: ANJ, Inc. for Disney’s Moana Jr.

Original Script – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: Bobby Sample for The Last Chance Angels

Original Score – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: Bobby Sample & Katie Sample for The Last Chance Angels

Media Design – Youth Theatre

• Won: Luke Bader & Anthony Rozzen for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Won: Josh Hontz for Once

Rising Star – Youth Theatre

• Nominated: JR Riddle for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Nominated: Kinlee Adams for Disney’s Moana Jr.
• Nominated: Reagan Little for Shrek the Musical Jr.