It’s not the most traditional 30th anniversary celebration, but the Gene Kelly Awards are moving full steam ahead.
Pittsburgh CLO, the HRH Foundation and the Michael J. Kara family announced the nominees Monday for the first virtual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. The ceremony will stream online at 7:30 p.m. May 29. Details on how and where to stream the event will be posted at pittsburghclo.org.
A panel of judges that included performing arts educators, arts administrators, entertainment professionals and performers met April 9 to review taped highlights provided by each nominee. Professional services firm Deloitte then tabulated the results.
Unlike past years, awards will be presented only for best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress due to the pandemic’s limitations on in-person performances and technical theater. Students from 31 schools across Allegheny County are participating in this year’s awards.
Winners of the Gene Kelly Awards for best actor and actress will go on to compete at the national level virtually at the Jimmy Awards, an arts education and professional development experience. The Jimmy Awards will be broadcast July 15. Here are the nominees:
Best Actor
Tyler Dumas, North Hills
Tyler Guinto-Brody, Elizabeth Forward
Zach Kautter, Central/Oakland Catholic
Logan Krushinski Pine-Richland
Jonathan Parker, Westinghouse Arts Academy
Caedon Vogel, Elizabeth Forward
Best Actress
Gracie Campbell, West Allegheny
Georgia Dale, Springdale
Angelina Guadalupe, Elizabeth Forward
Audrey Logan, South Fayette
Ellie Troiani, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Madison Vogel, Penn Hills
Best Supporting Actor
Broedy Geary, Westinghouse Arts Academy
Desmon Jackson, Woodland Hills
Matthew Luckiewicz, Central/Oakland Catholic
Maxwell Pratley, Baldwin
Dennis Thompson, Woodland Hills
Victor Williams, Pine-Richland
Best Supporting Actress
Elaine Gombos, Shady Side Academy
Isabella Gricar, Westinghouse Arts Academy
Katarina Hudock, Pine-Richland
Leah McConnell, Hampton
Jay Puff, Baldwin
Ellie Tongel, Plum
Tyler Dague: rdague@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1569 and on Twitter @rtdague.
First Published: April 19, 2021, 4:17 p.m.
