Local High School Musicals Awarded at LMC’s WAVE Awards

Local High School Musicals Featured and Awarded at LMC’s WAVE Awards honoring Excellence in High School Musical Theatre

Thirteen local High Schools participated in the fifth annual WAVE Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre at the Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre on the Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

This year the WAVE Awards has grown to include students and arts educators from Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass Counties in Michigan and St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in Indiana. The participating schools were evaluated by 10 adjudicators, and about 890 students participated in the musicals that were reviewed.

"When we launched the WAVE Awards five years ago, we dreamed of creating something that would unite and elevate high school musical theatre across our community, and the growth we've seen over these years is proof that dream has taken hold," said Kristopher Zook, LMC Dean of Arts & Sciences and founder of the WAVE Awards. "With more participating schools than ever before, the energy and talent on display each year is extraordinary. This event has become a true celebration of what young artists can achieve." 

All nominees received an LMC Red Hawk Scholarship good for a three-credit course taken within the next four academic years and written feedback from a panel of arts professionals. The lead actor recipients also received $1,000 Sierra Loughrin Scholarships to participate in LMC Visual & Performing Arts coursework at LMC. 

Loosely designed after Broadway's famed Tony Awards, the WAVE Awards recognizes, encourages, and promotes high school theater. Individuals and productions from participating schools were nominated in 14 acting and technical categories.

Wednesday's event began with red-carpet arrivals, followed by the awards ceremony, which included several musical production numbers. Students from all participating high schools and Lake Michigan College opened the night with a combined performance of I Hope I Get It from A Chorus Line, choreographed by Kelsey Trux. Concord HS performed Bring My Baby (Brother) Home from Freaky Friday, Edwardsburg HS performed Honey, Honey from Mamma Mia!, James Whitcomb Riley HS preformed the title song from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Lakeshore HS performed One Normal Night from The Addams Family Musical, Paw Paw HS performed Go, Go, Go, Joseph from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Penn HS performed All I’ve Ever Known/ Way Down Hadestown from Hadestown: Teen Edition, and South Haven HS performed Feel It Like Everyone from The Olympians: An Epic Muse-ical.

Presenters included LMC President Dr. Ken Flowers, PBS/WNIT President Amanda Miller-Kelley, Education & Community Engagement Coordinator for the Wharton Center at MSU & Leader of the Sutton Foster Awards Ben English, LMC Dean of Student Life & Engagement Melissa Grau, LMC Visual Art Faculty and international author/curator, Susan Wilczak, Notre Dame Voice Faculty and international opera singer, Deborah Mayer, United Way of Southwest Michigan Campaign Relationship Coordinator Dawn Howley, Midwest Family of Southwest MI’s longtime host of Moody in the Morning radio show and Publisher Emeritus of Moody on the Market Pat Moody, Co-Founder and Conductor of the Southshore Concert Band Dale Reuss, Sasha Farber (Dancing With the Stars), Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars & Hallmark Channel Movies), Ciara Renée (Broadway’s Frozen, Pippin, and Waitress as well as DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash and Arrow TV series), Paige Davis (TLC’s Trading Spaces and Broadway’s Chicago and Beauty & the Beast), Patrick Page (Broadway’s Hadestown), Kathy Najimy (Sister Act and Hocus Pocus movies, King of the Hill)

Participating High Schools and the musicals they performed are:

Brandywine Middle & High School - Beetlejuice, Jr.
Bridgman High School - Disney's Dare to Dream, Jr.
Concord High School – Disney's Freaky Friday
Dowagiac Union High School - Frozen, Jr.
Edwardsburg High School - Mamma Mia!
Hartford High School - Mean Girls: High School Version
James Whitcomb Riley High School – The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee
Lakeshore High School - The Addams Family Musical
New Buffalo Middle & High School - The Wizard of Oz
Paw Paw High School - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Penn High School - Hadestown: Teen Edition
South Haven High School - The Olympians: An Epic Muse-ical
St. Joseph High School - Grease

The Olympians

South Haven High School - The Olympians: An Epic Muse-ical

Here is the complete list of the 2025-2026 WAVE Award winners and nominees:  

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Scott Preheim
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Lincoln Clark
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!” Kyle Rehnlund, Andrew Hamilton, & Emma Hurley - WINNER
Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” Hailey Cunningham
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Paul Milligan
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph ... Dreamcoat,” Kristofer M. Perkins & Avery McCafferty
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Suzanne Button & Braden McMillen

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical

Brandywine HS; “Beetlejuice, Jr.,” Garrett Stoneburner
Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Scott Preheim
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Lincoln Clark - WINNER
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” Emma Hurley & Kyle Rehnlund
New Buffalo; “The Wizard of Oz,” Lloyd Whitmyer
Paw Paw (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Kristofer M. Perkins
Penn; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Chase Beachy

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical

Concord HS: “Freaky Friday,” Stephanie Vaughan
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Jessica Wiersbe
New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Deb Rancatore & Eliza Zook
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Claudia Lee
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Kathryn Hein - WINNER
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Jessica Wiersbe
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Melanie Ruppert

Outstanding Choreography in a Musical

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Heather Schoenherr
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” Catherine Wood
Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” Cessie Finley
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Cristian Marquez - WINNER
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Theresa Graziano
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Jenn Wolfe
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Beth Gray

Outstanding Orchestra (Band) in a Musical

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Nicole Knouse
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” Jennifer Haynes
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Matthew Pagel
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Sydney Brown - WINNER
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Zac Coudret
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Burke Lokey
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Jeff Bopp

Outstanding Music Direction in a Musical

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” James Bennett
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” Kyle Rehnlund
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Kyle Schreiber & John Mink - WINNER
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” David Gailey
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” August Gallagher
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Ethan Schopp
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Beth Gray

Featured “Special” Award

Brandywine HS; “Beetlejuice,” The Sandworm - WINNER
Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Angry Bob & Caspian
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Sven & Olaf
Hartford HS; Mean Girls: High School Version,” Damian & Janis’ wheels
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Leaf’s Sock Puppet
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Iguanodon Monster
New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Flying Monkeys, & Winkies, & Jitterbugs... Oh, my!”
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Camel
St. Joseph HS; “Grease,” Greased Lightning
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Apollo’s Horses (& his Abs...)

Outstanding Featured Ensemble in a Musical

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Police officers
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Pabbie, Bulba & the Rock Trolls
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” The Dynamos & Wedding Guests
Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” The Plastics
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Ancestors
New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Munchkins
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Joseph’s Brothers
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” The Fates & Workers - WINNER
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Burger Palace Boys & Pink Ladies
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Greek Chorus & Featured Dancers

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Mrs. Time – Keira Dykema
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Oaken – Madeline Steenbeke
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Ms. Midge Mahoney - Kelis Johnson
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Pugsley Addams - Laney Stempien -WINNER
New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Wicked Witch of the West / Mrs. Gulch- Bianca Ilescas-Villa
New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Professor Marvel / Oz - Aaron Ilescas-Villa
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Patty Simcox - Gianna McClellan

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical (two awards given)

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Torrey – Skyler Balamucki
Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Fletcher Blake – Matthew Seabolt – WINNER (TIE)
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Kristoff – Brady Frazier
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” Bill Austin – Lucas Bentzer
Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” Ms. Norbury – Valeria Perales
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Leaf Coneybear - Babacar Thiam
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre - Ella Farrough
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Alice Beineke - Kya Butcher
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Uncle Fester - Jorin Tabbert
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Lucas Beineke - Ian Sokol
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Pharaoh - Bryn Carlsen
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Jan – Ava Armstrong
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Marty – Elle Durocher
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Frenchy - Rose Lawrence - WINNER (TIE)
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Thalia - Katherine Cox - WINNER (TIE)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (two awards given)

Brandywine HS; “Beetlejuice, Jr,” Lydia - Hailey Amster
Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Katherine Blake – Sydney Trowbridge
Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Ellie Blake – Julia Witt
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Elsa – Makaylin Mauai
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” Sophie Sheridan – Erin Solarek
Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” Cady Heron – Destiny Davis-Russell
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Olive Ostrovsky - Cady Bango - WINNER
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” William Barfee - Oliver Pollock
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Gomez Addams - Camden King
New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy Gale - Angelina Bryk
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Narrator – Kami Crandall
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Eurydice - Meadow Mager
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” Persephone - Riley Newcomer - WINNER
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Sandy Dombrowski - Zoey Owens
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Zoe - Drew Olney
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Lexi – Serenity Scully

Esprit d’Corps*

Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” - WINNER

Outstanding Direction in a Musical

Brandywine HS; “Beetlejuice, Jr.,” Daysha Amster
Dowagiac Union HS; “Frozen, Jr.,” Ryan Murray
Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” Hailey Cunningham
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Meghan Beard
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Mikaela McLaughlin
New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Chris Beushausen - WINNER
St. Joseph HS; “Grease,” Beth Gray

Outstanding Musical Production

Concord HS; “Freaky Friday”
Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!”
James Whitcomb Riley HS; “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family Musical”
Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Penn HS; “Hadestown: Teen Edition” - WINNER
South Haven HS; “The Olympians: An Epic Muse-ical,”

* The Esprit de Corps Award celebrates the cast and crew who elevate each other, who understand that true artistry often lies in collective effort, and who create harmony both on stage and behind the scenes.

About Lake Michigan College

Lake Michigan College is a comprehensive community college serving Berrien County and surrounding communities from its main campus in Benton Harbor, Michigan. LMC offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs designed to help students reach their academic and career goals. For more information, visit lakemichigancollege.edu.