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.

The 2025-2026 WAVE Award nominees are: 

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
• Hartford HS; “Mean Girls: High School Version,” Hailey Cunningham
• Lakeshore HS; “The Addams Family,” Paul Milligan
• Paw Paw HS; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor 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
• Edwardsburg HS; “Mamma Mia!,” Emma Hurley & Kyle Rehnlund
• New Buffalo; “The Wizard of Oz,” Lloyd Whitmyer
• Paw Paw HS; "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", Kristofer M. Perkins
• Penn HS; “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
• 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,” Christian Marquez
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 (2 actors awarded in this category)

• Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Torrey – Skyler Balamucki
• Concord HS; “Freaky Friday,” Fletcher Blake – Matthew Seabolt
• 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,” Marty – Ava Armstrong
• Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Frenchy - Rose Lawrence
• South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Thalia - Katherine Cox

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (2 actors awarded in this category)

• 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
• 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
• Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Sandy Dombrowski - Zoey Owens
• South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Zoe - Drew Olney
• South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Lexi – Serenity Scully

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,” Mickaela McLaughlin
• New Buffalo HS; “The Wizard of Oz,” Chris Beushausen
• 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”
• South Haven HS; “The Olympians,”

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.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION >>

2026 Participating Schools

Please support live theatre in our local schools. We hope you add your production to the list!

Brandywine Middle & High School - Beetlejuice, Jr.

Nov 20-21 at 7 p.m. & Nov 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Joseph High School - Grease

Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. & Nov. 22 at 2 & 7 p.m. 

Paw Paw High School - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Jan 30-31 at 7 p.m. & Feb 1 at 2 p.m.

Lakeshore High School - The Addams Family

Feb 13-14 at 7 p.m. & Feb 15 at 2 p.m.

Concord High School - Freaky Friday

March 5-6 at 7 p.m. & March 8 at 2 p.m.

Penn High School - Hadestown: Teen Edition

March 6-7 at 7 p.m. & March 8 at 3 p.m.

Hartford High School - Mean Girls

March 13-14 at 7 p.m. & March 15 at 2 p.m.

South Haven High School - The Olympians

March 13-14 at 7 p.m. & March 15 at 2 p.m.

James Whitcomb Riley High School - 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee

March 13-14 at 7 p.m. & March 15 at 2 p.m.

Dowagiac Union High School - Frozen, Jr.

March 13-14 at 7 p.m. & March 15 at 2 p.m.

Performance held at Dowagiac Middle School, 57072 Riverside Dr., Dowagiac, MI

New Buffalo Middle & High School - The Wizard of Oz

March 20-21 at 7 p.m. & March 22 at 2 p.m.

Bridgeman High School - Disney's Dare to Dream, Jr.

March 20-21 at 7 p.m. & March 22 at 2 p.m.

Edwardsburg High School - Mamma Mia!

March 20-21 at 7 p.m. & March 22 at 2 p.m.