Lake Michigan College announces nominees for WAVE Awards

Lake Michigan College announces nominees for WAVE Awards honoring High School Musical Theatre

The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department has announced the nominees for its 2025-2026 WAVE Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre.

Loosely designed after Broadway's famed Tony Awards, the WAVE Awards recognizes, encourages, and promotes high school theater. Ten adjudicators evaluated 13 high schools and about 890 students who participated in high school musical productions in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Individuals and productions from participating schools were nominated in 14 acting and technical categories. Winners will be announced during an award ceremony at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre on the Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. All students and production staff will receive written feedback from a panel of arts professionals. Nominees may also receive additional performance and scholarship opportunities.

Now in its fifth year at LMC, the WAVE Awards includes students and arts educators from Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass Counties in Michigan and St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in Indiana.

“It’s truly inspiring to witness the ongoing development of students and the programs that bring the magic of musical theatre to local high schools,” said Kristopher Zook, Dean of Arts & Sciences at LMC and founder of the WAVE Awards. “Through the Visual & Performing Arts department, LMC remains committed to championing arts education, nurturing creativity, and celebrating the incredible dedication of both students and educators.”

The awards ceremony begins with red carpet arrivals at 6 p.m., followed by the awards, which include musical production numbers from Concord, Edwardsburg, James Whitcomb Riley, Lakeshore, Paw Paw, Penn, and South Haven high schools, as well as an opening number comprised of students from participating schools and LMC.

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 ... 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 (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
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,” Appollo’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 (two awards will be given)

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,” Jan – Ava Armstrong
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Marty – Elle Durocher
Saint Joseph HS; “Grease,” Frenchy - Rose Lawrence
South Haven HS; “The Olympians,” Thalia - Katherine Cox

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (two awards will be 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
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,” Mikaela 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: An Epic Muse-ical,”

The event is free and open to the public. Parents, friends, fans, teachers, and school administrators are all encouraged to attend. 

Any local business or organization that is interested in becoming a sponsor of the LMC WAVE Awards’ efforts to build character and community through excellence in our region’s high school performing arts is asked to contact kzook@lakemichigancollege.edu .

For more information, visit l akemichigancollege.edu/wave, email Mindy McCaffrey at mmccaffrey@lakemichigancollege.edu, or call the Visual & Performing Arts office at 269-927-8876.  