Blumenthal Performing Arts Announces 2021 Blumey Awards Nominees

Blumenthal Performing Arts has announced the nominees competing for Best Actor and Best Actress in this year's High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Blumey Awards, presented by Wells Fargo that will air on PBS Charlotte Tuesday, May 25th at 8pm.

"Wells Fargo is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of this program for the 9th year in a row. We are amazed by the talent of these students and the dedication of their theater arts teachers," said Jay Everette with the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Blumenthal Performing Arts is committed to continuing the celebration of high school musical theater. Despite the fact that many schools in the region were unable to produce a show this year given the impact of the coronavirus, Blumenthal still wanted to provide students the opportunity to perform. To achieve this goal and ensure the safety of all participants, students auditioned individually for a panel of judges to allow for significant social distancing and safety protocols in excess of CDC and local recommendations.

Throughout the month of March, over 330 students from 34 participating schools completed the audition process. Two nominees from each school were selected to advance and will participate in a two-day audition workshop intensive with industry professionals in April. All nominees will then audition a second time to determine the Best Actor and Best Actress winners, who will subsequently participate in the National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Jimmy Awards (named after famed Broadway producer, James M. Nederlander). That program will be presented virtually on July 15th.

"It is essential to keep theater alive in our schools and to give students the chance to express themselves, connect, and excel through the performing arts," said Blumenthal Vice President of Education Andrea Maloney. "The Charlotte region is packed full of exceptionally talented young artists and this year's Blumey Awards program proved that remains true even during a year deeply impacted by a pandemic."

A 30-minute Blumey Awards Celebration show, airing on PBS Charlotte May 25th at 8pm, will feature the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees from every participating school, two medley numbers featuring the top scoring students nominated and the announcement of the Best Actor and Best Actress winners.

The order of performances, arrangement and orchestration for the ceremony will be led by New York-based professional music composer/conductor, David Dabbon. All rehearsals and performance recordings will be conducted safely and follow local and state guidelines.

This year's nominees for the Blumey Awards:

	Best Actor	Best Actress
Ardrey Kell High School	William Kleinschmidt	Morgan Brenner
Bandys High School	Gabriel Beech	Haynes Baker
Central Academy of Technology and Arts	Jackson Randall	Lana Patel
Central Cabarrus High School	Jacob Scruggs	Chidera Dimkpa
Charlotte Country Day School	Jack Cooper	Lilah Peck
Charlotte Latin School	Matthew Marcus	Kate McCracken
Concord Academy	Kenan Starnes	Sophia DeJesus
Covenant Day School	Lance Lokas	Hallie Barnwell
Cox Mill High School	Camden Albury	Gracyn Hall
Cuthbertson High School	Thomas Johnston	Liz Betancourt
David W. Butler High School	Grant Bergeman	Leilany Sandoval
Davidson Day School		Kathleen Moore
East Lincoln High School	Arturo Galarza Chavez	Rachel Ochoa
Hickory Ridge High School	Bryson Battle	Rachel Wilson
Hopewell High School	Jackson Scullion	Danielle Deavers
Kings Mountain High School	Donald (Lee) Page	Olivia Wilson
Mallard Creek High School		Melissa Lozada
Mooresville High School	Daniel Turner	Sophia Choiniere
Nation Ford High School	Dylan Butler	Sarah Willoughby
North Lincoln High School	Jacob Nuhfer	Riley Washco
Northwest Cabarrus High School	Cameron Meyer	Mary Kathryn Brown
Northwest School of the Arts	Keyon Pickett	Sophie Miller
Northwestern High School	Christian Holmes	Savannah McCart
Piedmont Community Charter School	Andrew Moore	Sasha Lombardi
Pine Lake Preparatory	Dane Chilton	Abby Workman
Providence Day School	Carson Taylor	Katherine Beason
Providence High School	Daniel Binder	Mia Spies
South Mecklenburg High School	Cavan Meade	Ella Lowe
South Pointe High School	Donovan Mays	Molly Neal
Stuart W. Cramer High School	Tristan Nogueira	Molly Matthews
Weddington High School	Colin Pendergrast	Sarah Grimes
West Cabarrus High School	Gustavo Meza	Kayley Sansing
Westminster Catawba Christian School	Trey Buie	Jordan Smith
William A. Hough High School	Christopher Brammer	Jillian Lauder

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