Lake Michigan College is excited to announce the fifth annual WAVE Awards, which honor the musical theatre work of high school students and educators throughout Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana.
Loosely designed after Broadway’s famed Tony Awards, the WAVE Awards is meant to recognize, encourage and promote excellence in high school musical theatre.
This annual event also offers students and production staff a valuable educational opportunity through written feedback from highly qualified arts professionals, additional performance opportunities, scholarship opportunities, a sense of belonging and value in the local arts community, and public recognition for a job well done.
The Awards Showcase will be held May 20, 2026.
How It Works
This free recognition program is open to all high schools throughout Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana. Schools interested in participating should complete the WAVE Award Application. The Evaluation Committee, consisting of professional actors, vocal musicians, directors, designers, and choreographers will send evaluators to assess each production. Schools will need to provide LMC with 8 tickets to see the production. There is no other entry fee for participation.
Assessments
The purpose of any kind of assessment is to promote personal development and growth. Student performers will receive written feedback from the evaluation team following the show's run. Our evaluators have a rubric of criteria that includes numerical scoring and written commentary in a wide spectrum of technical and artistic components, including but not limited to:
- Accuracy
- Execution
- Expression
- Technique
- Unity
- Elements idiomatic to specific sub-categories
Most importantly, however, we are aware of what cannot be assessed, such as the intrinsic benefits of theatre to the individual:
- A stronger sense of self and an increased level of confidence
- A deeper understanding of the importance of “a team effort”
- An appreciation for and an improved work ethic
- The joyous feeling of accomplishment
- A better understanding of theatre and the arts
- The gift of lifetime memories and deepened friendships made
We extend our appreciation and accolades to those who have given of themselves so that everyone can reap these profound rewards.
Nominations/Awards
Nominations will be announced in categories similar to Broadway’s Tony Awards on April 27 at both an optional gathering for adult production staff and on this website (on or around April 28). Join us on May 20 as we present the WAVE Awards on the Jenkins Theatre stage at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center.
The event will include a red-carpet reception and musical production numbers by the schools nominated for Overall Outstanding Musical. Trophies and scholarships will be given at the awards ceremony. If selected to perform at the WAVE Awards, it is the responsibility of the individual school district to secure licensing for musical numbers from the appropriate performance rights organization.
We are enthusiastic about the ever-growing community of arts advocates and supporters that will contribute to this gala event.
Contact the Producer of the WAVE Awards with questions:
Kristopher Zook, Dean of Arts and Sciences
kzook@lakemichigancollege.edu
(269) 927-6588.
2026 Participating Schools
Please support live theatre in our local schools. We hope you add your production to the list!
St. Joseph High School - Grease
Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. & Nov. 22 at 2 & 7 p.m.
Brandywine Middle & High School - Beetlejuice, Jr.
Nov 20-21 at 7 p.m. & Nov 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.