2023 Blue Star Awards Honor Local High School Students

Starlight is pleased to share the 2022-23 Blue Star Awards winners, who were just announced in a red-carpet ceremony at Starlight Theatre Wednesday, May 17. Twenty-nine winners took home the top prizes in 26 categories, and more than $6,500 in scholarships were awarded to deserving high school students. The ceremony also featured 11 onstage performances. The 2023 Blue Star Awards were made possible by Community America Credit Union, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and the generosity of Starlight donors.

Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, Starlight’s annual Blue Star Awards recognize achievement and excellence in musical theatre among Kansas City area high school students. In the 2022-23 Blue Star Awards season, 54 schools and more than 4,000 metro area students participated, making it one of the largest and most respected high school musical awards programs in the nation.

In order of announcement at the Blue Star Awards Ceremony, the full list of winners can be found below.

Outstanding Actor in an Ensemble Role
Michael Bell as Finch
Olathe East High School
Disney’s Newsies

Outstanding Actress in an Ensemble Role
Leah Pal as Robby the Stockfish
Olathe Northwest High School
Urinetown

Outstanding Technical Crew
Raymore-Peculiar High School
Costume Crew
Something Rotten!

Outstanding Costume Design, Tier I
Central High School
Disney’s Mary Poppins

Outstanding Costume Design, Tier II
Raymore-Peculiar High School
Something Rotten!

Community Impact Award
Blue Springs High School

Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role
Peter Dessert as Will Parker
Bishop Miege High School
Oklahoma!

Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role
Elsa Thompson as Lily
Lee’s Summit High School
Anastasia: The Musical

Rising Star Scholarship Sophomore Award
Adrianne Turner
Leavenworth High School

Rising Star Scholarship Junior Award
Grace Puchalla
St. James Academy

Rising Star Scholarship Senior Award
Bryce Williams
Lee’s Summit High School

Ceremony Ensemble Scholarships:

Ellie Eisele – Olathe East High School
Gen Anderson – Olathe West High School
Grace Fisher – Liberty High School
Layla Abu Saada – Olathe East High School

Dream Production Award
Sierra Quinn for Direction
Smithville High School

Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier I
Truman High School
Disney’s High School Musical

Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II
Raymore-Peculiar High School
Something Rotten!

Outstanding Ensemble
Olathe East High School
Disney’s Newsies

Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role
Jay Allen as Smee
Olathe South High School
Peter Pan

Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role
Molly Brusven as Flotsam
Liberty High School
Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Outstanding Orchestra
Olathe West High School
Disney’s Freaky Friday

Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design
Platte County High School
The Addams Family (High School Edition)

Outstanding Lighting Design
Raymore-Peculiar High School
Something Rotten!

Technical Contribution Award
Isaac Lowe for Stage Management
Olathe West High School

Creative Contribution Award
Breana Smith for Choreography
Truman High School
Disney’s High School Musical

Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role
Skylar Kline as Bert
Central High School
Disney’s Mary Poppins

Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role
Layla Abu Saada as Katherine Plumber
Olathe East High School
Disney’s Newsies

Outstanding Overall Production
Raymore-Peculiar High School
Something Rotten!