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Nebraska Theater Academy

Omaha, NE

Omaha Performing Arts

2026 Ceremony Date: May 31, 2026

The Nebraska Theater Academy celebrates and supports theater education in high schools and middle schools across the state of Nebraska, connecting students and teachers directly to Broadway. Participating schools receive opportunities for master classes with Broadway artists, performance opportunities, professional feedback on school productions and so much more. The program celebrates the outstanding achievements of participating schools with awards for top performers, ensembles, excellence behind the scenes and more during the annual Showcase event.

The program was formerly known as the Nebraska High School Theater Academy.

Nominees

2026

Carter James Pflug
Carter James Pflug

Robert, The Drowsy Chaperone

Westside High School

Kolaya Michele Wilmer
Kolaya Michele Wilmer

Eponine, Les Misérables: School Edition

Fremont High School

2025

Myles Hardt
Myles Hardt

Orpheus, Hadestown: Teen Edition

Lincoln East High School

Natalie Kersten
Natalie Kersten

Eponine, Les Misérables: School Edition

Millard West High School

2024

Samara Follette
Samara Follette

Anya, Anastasia

Lincoln Northeast High School

Derek Penner
Derek Penner

Ren McCormack, Footloose

Blair High School

2023

Steven Dao
Steven Dao

The Beast, Disney's Beauty and The Beast

Lincoln Southwest High School

Jocelyn Tisdale
Jocelyn Tisdale

Sophie, Mamma Mia!

Lincoln High School

2022

Tyler Kalinowski
Tyler Kalinowski

Jesus, Godspell

Bellevue West Senior High School

Regan Wiseman
Regan Wiseman

Alice Murphy, Bright Star

Waverly High School

2021

Nathan Hiykel
Nathan Hiykel

Blair High School

Audrey Saucier
Audrey Saucier

Omaha Burke High School

2019

Piper Monson
Piper Monson

Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady

Lourdes Central Catholic High School

Drew Sinnard
Drew Sinnard

Baker, Into the Woods

Kearney High School

2018

Nathan Bonsall
Nathan Bonsall

Gomez Addams, The Addams Family

Kearney High School

Sierra Lancaster
Sierra Lancaster

Aida, Aida

Millard North High School

2017

Lauren Johnson
Lauren Johnson

The Drowsy Chaperone, The Drowsy Chaperone

Bellevue West High School

Lane Mongeon
Lane Mongeon

Gomez Addams, The Addams Family

Milford High School

2016

Matthew Hakel
Matthew Hakel

Don Lockwood, Singin' in the Rain

Lincoln Southwest High School

Lauren Johnson
Lauren Johnson

Gertrude McFuzz, Seussical

Bellevue West High School

2015

Emma Kate Brown
Emma Kate Brown

Princess Fiona, Shrek The Musical

Elkhorn South High School

Marcel Daly
Marcel Daly

Edward Bloom, Big Fish

Bellevue West High School

2014

David T. Beran
David T. Beran

Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd

Gretna High School

Deanna Richard
Deanna Richard

Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray

Millard West High School