Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv announces nominees for WAVE Awards honoring High School Musical Theatre
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – The Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv Visual & Performing Arts Department has announced the nominees for its 2025-2026 WAVE Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre.
Loosely designed after Broadway's famed Tony Awards, the WAVE Awards recognizes, encourages, and promotes high school theater. Ten adjudicators evaluated 13 high schools and about 890 students who participated in high school musical productions in the 2025-2026 academic year. Ìý
Individuals and productions from participating schools were nominated in 14 acting and technical categories. Winners will be announced during an award ceremony at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at the Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre on the Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. All students and production staff will receive written feedback from a panel of arts professionals. Nominees may also receive additional performance and scholarship opportunities.
Now in its fifth year at LMC, the WAVE Awards includes students and arts educators from Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass Counties in Michigan and St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in Indiana.Ìý
“It’s truly inspiring to witness the ongoing development of students and the programs that bring the magic of musical theatre to local high schools,†said Kristopher Zook, Dean of Arts & Sciences at LMC and founder of the WAVE Awards. “Through the Visual & Performing Arts department, LMC remains committed to championing arts education, nurturing creativity, and celebrating the incredible dedication of both students and educators.â€Ìý
The awards ceremony begins with red carpet arrivals at 6 p.m., followed by the awards, which include musical production numbers from Concord, Edwardsburg, James Whitcomb Riley, Lakeshore, Paw Paw, Penn, and South Haven high schools, as well as an opening number comprised of students from participating schools and LMC.
The 2025-2026 WAVE Award nominees are:Ìý
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Scott Preheim
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Lincoln Clark
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!†Kyle Rehnlund, Andrew Hamilton, & Emma Hurley
•ÌýÌý ÌýHartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,†Hailey Cunningham
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Paul Milligan
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph ... Dreamcoat,†Kristofer M. Perkins & Avery McCafferty
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Suzanne Button & Braden McMillen
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýBrandywine HS; “Beetlejuice, Jr.,†Garrett Stoneburner
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Scott Preheim
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Lincoln Clark
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,†Emma Hurley & Kyle Rehnlund
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo; “The Wizard of Oz,†Lloyd Whitmyer
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Kristofer M. Perkins
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Chase Beachy
Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS: “Freaky Friday,†Stephanie Vaughan
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Jessica Wiersbe
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,†Deb Rancatore & Eliza Zook
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,†Claudia LeeÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Kathryn Hein
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Jessica Wiersbe
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians,†Melanie Ruppert Ìý
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Heather Schoenherr
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,†Catherine Wood
•ÌýÌý ÌýHartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,†Cessie FinleyÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†Christian MarquezÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Theresa GrazianoÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Jenn Wolfe
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Beth Gray
Outstanding Orchestra (Band) in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Nicole Knouse
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,†Jennifer Haynes
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Matthew Pagel
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,†Sydney BrownÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Zac Coudret
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Burke Lokey
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians,†Jeff Bopp Ìý
Outstanding Music Direction in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†James Bennett
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,†Kyle Rehnlund
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†Kyle Schreiber & John Mink
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†David GaileyÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,†August GallagherÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Ethan Schopp
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Beth Gray
Featured “Special†AwardÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýBrandywine HS; “Beetlejuice,†The Sandworm
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Angry Bob & Caspian
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Sven & Olaf
•ÌýÌý ÌýHartford HS; Mean Girls: High School Version,†Damian & Janis’ wheels
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†Leaf’s Sock Puppet
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Iguanodon Monster
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,†Flying Monkeys, & Winkies, & Jitterbugs... Oh, my!â€
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,†The Camel
•ÌýÌý ÌýSt. Joseph HS; “Grease,†Greased Lightning
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians,†Appollo’s Horses (& his Abs...)
Outstanding Featured Ensemble in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Police officers
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Pabbie, Bulba & the Rock Trolls
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,†The Dynamos & Wedding Guests
•ÌýÌý ÌýHartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,†The Plastics
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Ancestors
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,†Munchkins
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,†Joseph’s Brothers
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†The Fates & Workers
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Burger Palace Boys & Pink LadiesÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians,†Greek Chorus & Featured Dancers
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Ìý Ìý
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Mrs. Time – Keira Dykema
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Oaken – Madeline Steenbeke
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,â€ÌýMs. Midge Mahoney - Kelis Johnson
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Pugsley Addams - Laney Stempien
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,†Wicked Witch of the West / Mrs. Gulch- Bianca Ilescas-Villa
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,†Professor Marvel / Oz - Aaron Ilescas-Villa
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Patty Simcox - Gianna McClellanÌý
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical (two awards will be given)
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Torrey – Skyler BalamuckiÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Fletcher Blake – Matthew Seabolt
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Kristoff – Brady FrazierÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,†Bill Austin – Lucas BentzerÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýHartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,†Ms. Norbury – Valeria Perales
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†Leaf Coneybear - Babacar Thiam
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre - Ella Farrough
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Alice Beineke - Kya Butcher
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Uncle Fester - Jorin Tabbert
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Lucas Beineke - Ian Sokol
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,†Pharaoh - Bryn Carlsen
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Jan – Ava Armstrong
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Marty – Elle Durocher
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Frenchy - Rose LawrenceÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians,†Thalia - Katherine CoxÌý
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (two awards will be given)
•ÌýÌý ÌýBrandywine HS; “Beetlejuice, Jr,†Lydia - Hailey AmsterÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Katherine Blake – Sydney Trowbridge
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Friday,†Ellie Blake – Julia Witt
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Elsa – Makaylin Mauai
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,†Sophie Sheridan – Erin Solarek
•ÌýÌý ÌýHartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,†Cady Heron – Destiny Davis-Russell
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†Olive Ostrovsky - Cady Bango
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†William Barfee - Oliver Pollock
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Gomez Addams - Camden King
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,†Dorothy Gale - Angelina Bryk
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,†Narrator – Kami Crandall
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Eurydice - Meadow Mager
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,†Persephone - Riley Newcomer
•ÌýÌý ÌýSaint Joseph HS; “Grease,†Sandy Dombrowski - Zoey Owens
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians,†Zoe - Drew OlneyÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians,†Lexi – Serenity ScullyÌý
Outstanding Direction in a Musical
•ÌýÌý ÌýBrandywine HS; “Beetlejuice, Jr.,†Daysha Amster
•ÌýÌý ÌýDowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,†Ryan Murray
•ÌýÌý ÌýHartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,†Hailey Cunningham
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,†Meghan BeardÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,†Mikaela McLaughlin
•ÌýÌý ÌýNew Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,†Chris BeushausenÌý
•ÌýÌý ÌýSt. Joseph HS; “Grease,†Beth Gray
Outstanding Musical Production
•ÌýÌý ÌýConcord HS; “Freaky Fridayâ€
•ÌýÌý ÌýEdwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!â€
•ÌýÌý ÌýJames Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beeâ€Ìý
•ÌýÌý ÌýLakeshore HS; “The Addams Family Musicalâ€
•ÌýÌý ÌýPaw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatâ€Ìý
•ÌýÌý ÌýPenn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Editionâ€Ìý
•ÌýÌý ÌýSouth Haven HS; “The Olympians: An Epic Muse-ical,â€
The event is free and open to the public. Parents, friends, fans, teachers, and school administrators are all encouraged to attend.Ìý
Any local business or organization that is interested in becoming a sponsor of the LMC WAVE Awards’ efforts to build character and community through excellence in our region’s high school performing arts is asked to contact kzook@lakemichigancollege.edu.Ìý
For more information, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/wave, email Mindy McCaffrey at mmccaffrey@lakemichigancollege.edu, or call the Visual & Performing Arts office at 269-927-8876.
Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv WAVE Awards
