Paxon Masters
Phantom of the Opera, The Phantom of the Opera
Avonworth High School
Jimmy Awards
Regional Awards Programs
Gene Kelly Awards
Pittsburgh, PA
2026 Ceremony Date: May 23, 2026
The Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater recognize and encourage student achievement and focus the attention of the community and school districts on the importance of musical theater and arts education.
Nominees
2026
Loren Prisuta
Velma Kelly, Chicago: Teen Edition
Pine-Richland High School
2025
Mariana Mangual
Ella, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Seton LaSalle Catholic High School
Eamonn McElfresh
Pierre Bezukhov, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12
2024
Emma Hopf
William Barfee, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
North Hills High School
Kai Sachon
Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12
2023
Tyler Guinto-Brody
Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Elizabeth Forward High School
Kaitlyn Majewski
Natalie Haller, All Shook Up
McKeesport Area High School
2022
Kylie Edwards
Janet Van De Graaff, The Drowsy Chaperone
Gateway High School
Tyler Guinto-Brody
Seymour, Little Shop of Horrors
Elizabeth Forward High School
2021
Tyler Guinto-Brody
Elizabeth Forward High School
Audrey Logan
South Fayette High School
2019
Tyler Hepler
Sky Masterson, Guys and Dolls
Pine-Richland High School
Morgan Traud
Mame Dennis, Mame
Baldwin High School
2018
Nasir Butler
Jean Valjean, Les Misérables
Capa High School
Johanna Loughran
Cassie, A Chorus Line
Oakland Catholic High School
2017
Chloe Kehm
Millie Dillmount, Thoroughly Modern Millie
West Allegheny Senior High School
Jake Pedersen
Joseph, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Pine-Richland High School
2016
Devin Moore
Jean Valjean, Les Misérables
Chartiers Valley High School
Marnie Quick
Doralee Rhodes, 9 to 5
Barack Obama Academy of International Studies
2015
Larry McKay
J. Pierrepont Finch, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Pittsburgh Allderdice High School
Marnie Quick
Orange, SHOUT! The Mod Musical
Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy
2014
Ryan Borgo
Frank Abagnale, Jr., Catch Me If You Can
West Allegheny High School
Marnie Quick
Tinman, The Wiz
Barack Obama Academy of International Studies
2013
Rachael Houser
Reno Sweeney, Anything Goes
Quaker Valley High School
Angelo Ragghianti
Usnavi, In the Heights
Pittsburgh CAPA
2012
Nathan Pool
Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd
Avonworth High School
Brooke Tate
Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd
Avonworth High School
2011
Luke Halferty
Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof
Central Catholic High School
Kirsten Hoover
Nanette, No, No, Nanette
North Hills High School
2010
Alex Field
Tinman, The Wiz
Central Catholic High School
Andrea Weinzierl
Mame Dennis, Mame
Avonworth High School
2009
Elizabeth Bailey
Anna Karenina, Anna Karenina
Pittsburgh CAPA
Kian McCollum
Robbie Hart, The Wedding Singer
Chartiers Valley High School