AYAA Award Winners 2019

Thank you to everyone who voted on this year's AYAA Awards. I am so happy to announce the winners.

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Best Leading Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
Sarah Pansing - Sally Bowles - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
(Runner up: Abby Cardenas - Emma - Jekyll and Hyde - Actor's Youth Theatre)

Best Leading Actor in a Female Role in a Play
Ceili Olney - Crandal - The Sum of Me - YETi
(Runner up: Julia Murphy - Antigone - Antigone - Arizona School for the Arts)

Best Leading Actor in a Male Role in a Musical
Ethan Shanker - Emcee - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
(Runner up: Riley Thornton - Jesse Tuck - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre)

Best Leading Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Andy Wissink - Edward Tulane - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
(Runner up: Alex Flores - Old Man - Antigone - ASA)

Best Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
Sophie Vaughan - Fraulein Schneider- Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
(Runner up: Madison Brassow - Miss Hannigan -Annie - Actor's Youth Theatre)

Best Supporting Actor in a Female Role in a Play
Ava Newton - Helen Keller - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Thea Eigo - Marcy - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre)

Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Musical
Hayden Skaggs - Man in the Yellow Suit - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Alec Pursell - Herr Schultz - Cabaret -Arizona School for the Arts)

Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Noah Lanouette - Beethoven - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
(Runner up: tie - David Devine - James Keller - The Miracle Worker // Devon Policci - Matt - Dog Sees God, both Spotlight)

Best Vocalist
Sarah Pansing - Sally Bowles - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
(Runner up: Dylan Romero - Jack Kelly - Newies - Actor's Youth Theatre)

Best Dancer
Anna Mettes - Ballet Winnie - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Rayshawn Watkins - Romeo - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre)

Best Direction of a Musical
TIE - Bruce Goolsby and Tracie Jones - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
          Rob Chambers - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts

Best Direction of a Play
Kenny Grossman - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Kate Haas - The Sum of Me - YETi)

Best Music Direction
Tracie Jones and CJ O'Hara - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Elise Kurbat - Cabaret - ASA)

Best Choreography
Bruce Goolsby - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Jordan Daniels - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts)

Best Set Design
Bobby Sample - Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre, coordinated by Chris Klein)

Best Lighting Design
Jeff Davis - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts)

Best Sound Design
Josh Hontz - Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Thomas Strawser - Sum of Me - YETi)

Best Costume Design
Karol Cooper - Newsies - Valley Youth Theatre
(Runner up: Jacki Marin - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre)

Best Make Up Design
Brenda Goodenberger - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre

Best Stage Management
Jordan Weiner - Season of work - ASA

The Ferryman Award: Most Likely to have A LOT of Kids
Kale Burr

Hadestown Award: Most Mythical
Prescott Smidt

Beetlejuice: Most Likely to Haunt Someone
Bryce Dilullo

Tootsie: Most Likely to Rock a Red Sparkly Dress
Ethan Shanker

Ain't Too Proud Award: Most Likely to Be in a Boy Band/Girl Band
Ethan Shanker

The Prom: Most Likely to Stand Up for What They Believe In
Taylor Underwood

Oklahoma Award: Most Likely to Make a Conversation Go REALLY Dark
Ethan Shanker

Kiss Me Kate Award: Most Likely to have a Showmance
Madison Brassow

Best Play - High School
1st place - Antigone - Arizona School for the Arts
2nd place - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Cactus Shadows High School

Best Musical - High School
1st place - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
2nd place - Beauty and the Beast - Red Mountain High School
3rd place - Chicago - Desert Mountain High School
4th place - Newsies - ALA Queen Creek

Best Play - Community
1st place - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - VYT
2nd place - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
3rd place - Sum of Me - YETi

Best Musical - Community
1st place - Newsies - AYT
2nd place - Newsies - VYT
3rd place - Tuck Everlasting - VYT
4th place - Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight

One Week Left to Vote for AYAA Awards 2019

Hi Mark! I have a card for you! I was wondering if there was a good address to send it to? Hope you're doing well. Thanks, Mackenna

The AYAA Awards voting form is now live! It will close on Saturday, August 3rd at midnight. Congrats to this wonderful cohort of artists :)

https://forms.gle/6AMWgX7D9HQzaATs9

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Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Sarah Pansing - Sally Bowles - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
Abby Cardenas - Emma - Jekyll and Hyde - Actor's Youth Theatre
Drew MacCallum - Katherine - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Lainey Kenly - Winnie - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre
Hailey Gates - Velma Kelly - Chicago - Limelight Youth Theater

Best Leading Actress in a Play
Aubrey Hoffer - Molly - Friend Art - AYAA
Julia Murphy - Annie Sullivan - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Bethany Novotny - Kate Keller - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Julia Murphy - Antigone - Antigone - Arizona School for the Arts
Ceili Olney - Crandal - The Sum of Me - YETi

Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Ethan Shanker - Emcee - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
Dylan Romero - Jack Kelly - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Noah Lanouette - Seymour - Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Jake Ashton - Julian Marsh - 42nd Street - Actor's Youth Theatre
Riley Thornton - Jesse Tuck - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre

Best Leading Actor in a Play
Payten Mcleod - Kevin - Friend Art - AYAA
Noah Manumaleuga - Captain Keller - Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Jack Taylor - CB - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Andy Wissink - Edward Tulane - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Alex Flores - Old Man - Antigone - ASA

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Olivia Timothy - Ursula - The Little Mermaid - Limelight Youth Theater
Madison Brassow - Miss Hannigan - Annie - Actor's Youth Theatre
Phoenix Cyphert - Brooke Wyndam - Legally Blonde - Desert Stages
Kendra Richards - Natalie - next to normal - Arizona Regional Theatre
Sophie Vaughan - Fraulein Schneider - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts

Best Supporting Actress in a Play
India Rose Chudnow - Lil - Friend Art - AYAA
Ali Giordano - Van's Sister - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Thea Eigo - Marcy - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Lindsay Gagnon - CB's Sister - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Ava Newton - Helen Keller - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Connor Brigola - Miles Tuck - Tuck Everlasting - Limelight Youth Theater
Kale Klein - Race Higgins - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Alec Pursell - Herr Schultz - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
Hayden Skaggs - Man in the Yellow Suit - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre
Noah Delgado - Pulitzer - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre

Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Kyle Watkins - Nate - Friend Art - AYAA
Christian Bader - Van - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Noah Lanouette - Beethoven - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
David Devine - James Keller - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Devon Policci - Matt - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre

Best Vocalist
Lina Cappellano - Ariel - The Little Mermaid - Limelight Youth Theater
Dylan Romero - Jack Kelly - Newies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Sarah Pansing - Sally Bowles - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
Jake Ashton - Julian Marsh - 42nd Street - Actor's Youth Theatre
Kendra Richards - Natalie - next to normal - Arizona Regional Theatre

Best Dancer
We had a couple of ties in this category, so the option was to either do 3 nominees or 7 so I decided 7!
Jessica Wastchak - Ballet Winnie - Tuck Everlasting - Limelight Youth Theater
Miranda Bellows - Peggy Sawyer - 42nd Street - Actor's Youth Theatre
Rayshawn Watkins - Romeo - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Anna Mettes - Ballet Winnie - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre
Summer Beckman - Roxie - Chicago - Desert Mountain High School
Tony Gurrieri - Billy Lawlor - 42nd Street - Actor's Youth Theatre
Benjamin Gittell - Race - Newsies - Valley Youth Theatre

Best Direction of a Musical
Jeff Deglow - Jekyll and Hyde - Actor's Youth Theatre
Bruce Goolsby and Tracie Jones - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Kenny Grossman - Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Aaron Thacker - Honk Jr. - Arizona School for the Arts
Rob Chambers - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts

Best Direction of a Play
Grey Smith - Friend Art - AYAA
Bobby Sample - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Kenny Grossman - Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Kate Haas - The Sum of Me - YETi

Best Musical Direction
Tracie Jones and CJ O'Hara - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Newsies - ALA Queen Creek
Mark Feary - Newsies - Valley Youth Theatre
Tristan Peterson-Steinart - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre

Best Choreography
Jackie Brecker - Tuck Everlasting - Limelight Youth Theater
Emma England - Chicago - Limelight Youth Theater
Bruce Goolsby - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Jordan Daniels - Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
Lynzee 4man - Wedding Singer - Desert Stages

Best Set Design
Chris Klein - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Newsies - Queen Creek ALA
Bobby Sample - Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Bobby Sample - Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Joslyn Settle - The Sum of Me - YETi

Best Lighting Design
Newsies - ALA Queen Creek
Jeff Davis - Tuck Everlasting - Valley Youth Theatre
Josh Hontz - Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Joanna Emmott - The Sum of Me - YETi
Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts

Best Sound Design
Newsies - ALA Queen Creek
Josh Hontz - Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Thomas Strawser - Sum of Me - YETi
Josh Hontz - Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight Youth Theatre

Best Costume Design
Emma England - Little Mermaid - Limelight Youth Theater
Pamela Oborn - Jekyll and Hyde - Actor's Youth Theatre
Jacki Marin - Newsies - Actor's Youth Theatre
Audrey Wawro - Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Karol Cooper - Newsies - Valley Youth Theatre

Best Hair and Makeup Design
Newsies - AYT
Brenda Goodenberger - The Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Emma England - The Little Mermaid - Limelight Youth Theater

Best Stage Management
Bailey David Gorman - Season of work - AYT
Joycelin Jacobs - Season of work - VYT
Jordan Weiner - Season of work - ASA

The Ferryman Award: Most Likely to have A LOT of Kids
Maya Weber
Anson Romney
Kale Burr

Hadestown Award: Most Mythical
Vincent Pugliese
Joey J Grado
Prescott Smidt

Beetlejuice: Most Likely to Haunt Someone
Bryce Dilullo
Brody Wurr
Sabrina Kiepke

Tootsie: Most Likely to Rock a Red Sparkly Dress
Addison Alicia Bowman
Drew MacCallum
Ethan Shanker

Ain't Too Proud Award: Most Likely to Be in a Boy Band/Girl Band
Garrett Will Lindsey
Ethan Shanker
Jake Ashton

The Prom: Most Likely to Stand Up for What They Believe In
Taylor Underwood
Julia Murphy
Jake Ashton

Oklahoma Award: Most Likely to Make a Conversation Go REALLY Dark
Devon Policci
Cole Denham
Ethan Shanker

Kiss Me Kate Award: Most Likely to have a Showmance
Nick Williams
Addison Bowman
Madison Brassow

Best Play - High School
Antigone - Arizona School for the Arts
Loco-Motion, Commotion, Dr. Gorilla, and Me - Hamilton High School
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 - Perry High School
Twelve Angry Jurors - Mountain View High School
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Cactus Shadows High School

Best Musical - High School
Cabaret - Arizona School for the Arts
A Chorus Line - Williamsfield High School
Newsies - ALA Queen Creek
Honk Jr. - Arizona School for the Arts
Les Miserables - Chandler High School
Little Women - Hamilton High School
Beauty and the Beast - Red Mountain High School
Chicago - Desert Mountain High School

Best Play - Community
Dog Sees God - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Miracle Worker - Spotlight Youth Theatre
Sum of Me - YETI
Friend Art - AYAA
The Lost Boys of Neverland - EVCT
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - VYT

Best Musical - Community
Freaky Friday - Valley Youth Theatre
Newsies - AYT
Tuck Everlasting - VYT
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson - Spotlight
Little Shop of Horrors - Spotlight
Newsies - VYT
Wedding Singer - DST
Bring It On - DST
The Little Mermaid - Limelight
Chicago - Limelight

2019 AYAA Award Nominations

Hi, everyone! First of all, thank you to everyone who came out to the AYAA Young Playwright's Festival last night. I'm really passionate about New Work, so it was so great to be able to offer that sort of event to our community. Thank you to Grey, the actors, the directors, and the writers for making it happen.

I am super duper excited to do the AYAA Awards again this year. As my life in theatre mostly exists outside Arizona at this point, it is always so wonderful to be updated on the wonderful work being made in Arizona youth theatre through these awards. And I wanted to emphasize that even though I call these awards, they're really more celebratory and reflective! We're just thinking about all the great work we've done this year and honoring each other!

(I'm also going to be graduating from college next May, so depending on where life ends up taking me, these could be the last one of these. Unclear, but hey, that's the future, baby.)

So this awards program will have some classic awards, but it will also feature some more silly awards.

Nominations begin today (July 13th) and run until July 20th at Midnight! A final list of nominees will be announced sometime on July 21st.

You can click through to the nominations link HERE to read the rules and submit your noms!

AYAA Short Play Festival: Now accepting submissions!

Submit your plays here!

Hi all! Long time, no see! This summer, AYAA will be presenting a night of short plays written by, directed by, and acted in by young artists in Arizona. This project will be led by Grey Smith, in collaboration with myself (from Pittsburgh), Bryce Dilullo, and India Rose Chudnow. We are currently accepting play submissions and are looking for directors! More information about auditions will be forthcoming.

Auditions will be happening on June 9th at noon and the process will until approximately July 12th.

Auditions and performances will take place at The FuseBox, 943 S. Gilbert Rd. Suite 202
Mesa, Arizona 85204.

If you have any questions or would be interested in directing, please shoot me an email at Mackenna.azyoungactors@gmail.com.