And the 2021 Blue Star Awards Nominees Are…
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact schools and students alike, young theatre artists throughout Kansas City prove their adaptability and creativity on and off the stage. On Thursday, April 22, Starlight was proud to reveal the much-anticipated nominations for the 19th annual Blue Star Awards, honoring the hard work of area high school students.
In the 2020-21 school term, Starlight adjusted this year’s Blue Star Awards to highlight the broader work of schools and students, with the opportunity to submit materials in seven categories. The 99 nominations were revealed in a live premiere on Starlight’s Facebook page.
The annual Blue Star Awards Ceremony, sponsored this year by CommunityAmerica Credit Union and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, will take place Thursday, May 20, 2021, at Starlight Theatre. Tickets are free but reservations are required. To reserve tickets, visit kcstarlight.com or call the box office at (816) 363-7827. Masks, social distancing and safety protocols will be required. There will be limited concessions available for purchase. Stay up-to-date on all of the precautions Starlight is taking on Starlight’s Staying Safe webpage.
Please join us in congratulating the following nominees:
Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role
Leavenworth – Haley Engen as Jo – Little Women
Liberty North – Ava Wolesky as Esmeralda – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Oak Grove – Emma Nadeau as Ariel – Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Olathe East – Willa Walberg as Anya – Anastasia
Raymore-Peculiar – Kennedy Kinnick as Winnifred the Woebegone – Once Upon a Mattress
Rockhurst – Isabel Mayer as Cathy – The Last Five Years
Smithville – Sierra Quinn as Jo – Little Women
Truman – Myel White as Deloris Van Cartier – Sister Act
Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role
Liberty North – Jacob Hagen as Quasimodo – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Oak Park – Jacob Collier as Baker – Into the Woods
Olathe East – Justin Cooley as Dmitry – Anastasia
Olathe South – Max Pardo as Javert – Les Misérables
Park Hill South – Jack Blackburn as Billy Cane – Bright Star
Platte County – Myles Schmitt as Baker – Into the Woods
Raymore-Peculiar – Denton Meehan as Dauntless the Drab – Once Upon a Mattress
Raytown – Aiden Harkins as Pippin – Pippin
Performance Scholarship
Basehor-Linwood – Colton Coy
Belton – Isaiah Allison
Belton – Kayla Watts
Belton – Tucker Rushing
Grain Valley – Imani Vaughn
Grain Valley – Maddux Hughes
Grain Valley – Mariah Gattenby-Snyder
Grandview – Anastasia Coburn
Grandview – Hannah Fuller
Grandview – Samantha Lambert
Lee’s Summit North – Abby Knabe
Lee’s Summit North – Elaine Watson
Lee’s Summit North – Sophia Niblock
Oak Park – Brenden Blue
Oak Park – Kylie McLane
Oak Park – Madison Wells
Olathe East – Madeline King
Olathe East – Phoebe Mock
Olathe East – Sydney Nicks
Olathe South – Alana Shields
Olathe South – Elise Bowles
Olathe South – Rowan Farha
Olathe West – Brandon Heflin
Olathe West – Kalista Brown
Olathe West – Meredith McCalmon
Platte County – Emily Clark
Platte County – Madelynn Darst
Raymore-Peculiar – Meghan Larsen
Raymore-Peculiar – Spencer Barr
Ruskin – Willie Anderson
Saint Thomas Aquinas – Maddy Terril
Saint Thomas Aquinas – Maggie Halpin
Saint Thomas Aquinas – Sarah Phillips
St. Teresa’s Academy – Darcie Hingula
St. Teresa’s Academy – Liv Collet
Truman – Breana Smith
Truman – Kyleigh Hendrix
Truman – Paige Gonzales
Winnetonka – Blake Brinsa
Winnetonka – Zack Abrams
Technical Achievement Award
Belton – Wesley Freeman – Properties Master
Benton – Alex Duhn – Properties Master
Oak Park – Brenden Blue – Publicity
Oak Park – Emily Morrison – Costume Design
Oak Park – Kaleighan Chastain – Stage Management
Oak Park – Lily Dickson – Hair and Makeup Design
Olathe East – Breanna Kristian – Stage Management and Properties Design
Olathe East – Grant Martin – Costume Design
Olathe East – Saphron DeWitt – Stage Management
Park Hill South – Alyssa Espinosa – Scenic Design
Park Hill South – Sean Hall – Scenic Construction
Raymore-Peculiar – Nathan Caskey – Lighting Design and Scenic Construction
Winnetonka – Derek Walsh – Costume Design and Management
Winnetonka – Hunter Murray – Stage Management
Rising Star Scholarship
Belton – Jessica Frank
Belton – Tucker Rushing
Leavenworth – Haley Engen
Lee’s Summit North – Elaine Watson
Liberty North – Garrett Lampert
Liberty North – Nadia Higareda
Oak Park – Francesca Young
Oak Park – Reese Hill
Olathe East – Addison Landes
Olathe East – Willa Walberg
Olathe West – Emma Johnson
Park Hill South – Allison Miller
Raymore-Peculiar – Denton Meehan
Raytown – Cheyli Ferbet
St. Teresa’s Academy – Darcie Hingula
Truman – Gabrielle Petentler
Winnetonka – Blake Brinsa
Community Impact Award
Benton
Leavenworth
Oak Park
Winnetonka
Dream Production Award
Basehor-Linwood – Madi Messer – Hair and Makeup Design
Olathe East – Grant Martin – Costume Design
Olathe East – Millie Bell – Choreography
Olathe West – Ella Amos – Costume Design
Liberty North – Kiersten Schmalz – Choreography
Liberty North – Sydney Davis – Direction
Liberty North – Theresa Sudholt – Choreography
Raymore-Peculiar – Nathan Caskey – Lighting Design
Don’t forget to RSVP to the 19th annual Blue Star Awards Ceremony, taking place at Starlight Thursday, May 20, 2021.