Blumenthal Performing Arts Announces The 9th Annual Blumey Awards Winners

May 29, 2022 (Charlotte, NC) – The ninth annual Blumenthal Performing Arts High School Musical Theater Awards culminated Sunday, May 29, at a gala award celebration where winners in 15 categories were announced and nominees for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Wells Fargo Best Musical performed live on stage at Belk Theater. The Blumey Awards were presented by Wells Fargo.

Concord Academy won the Tier 1 Wells Fargo Best Musical Award for their production of Newsies. Central Academy of Technology and Arts won the Tier 2 Wells Fargo Best Musical Award for their production of Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition. Kate McCracken from Charlotte Latin School won Best Actress for her portrayal of “Alice Murphy” in Bright Star. Jared Garcia from North Lincoln High School won Best Actor for his portrayal of “The Baker” in Into the Woods.

“We’re thrilled that The Blumeys are back,” said Blumenthal CEO Tom Gabbard. “This year felt especially triumphant for the students, teachers, and staff. All who participated from the 41 schools this year should be proud of their achievements on stage and off. It was an unforgettable night that showcased the amazing drive, resilience, and collaboration of our city’s talented young people. Bravo!”  

Award-winning TV news anchor and reporter, Brigida Mack, emceed the black-tie event. Among the award presenters and special guests were Kristen Miranda (WBTV), Thomas Laub (two-time Blumey Awards Best Actor nominee and Broadway producer), Emily Harris (2019 Blumey Awards Technical Achievement winner), Arella Flur (2019 Blumey Awards Best Actress winner), Tyler Hanes (Broadway actor), Tyler McKenzie (Universal Swing, Hamilton), Bryson Battle (2021 Blumey and Jimmy Awards winner), and Nalan Karakaya Mulder (Head of Virtual Channels Compliance – Wells Fargo).

 

2022 Blumey Award winners:

Wells Fargo Best Musical – Tier 1 (Musical production budget of under $10,000)
Concord Academy - Newsies

Wells Fargo Best Musical – Tier 2 (Musical production budget of $10,000 and greater)

Central Academy of Technology and Arts - Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition

Best Actress

Charlotte Latin School – Kate McCracken as Alice Murphy - Bright Star

Best Actor

North Lincoln High School – Jared Garcia as The Baker - Into the Woods

Best Supporting Actress
North Lincoln High School - Jillian Joyce as The Baker's Wife - Into the Woods

Best Supporting Actor

Providence Day School – Max Odom as Danny - Xanadu

Best Featured Performer
Charlotte Latin School – Dominick Charles as Daryl - Bright Star

Best Overall Direction

Charlotte Country Day School – Anastasia

Best Ensemble/Chorus
Concord Academy – Newsies

Best Choreography Execution
Charlotte Country Day School – Anastasia

Best Student Orchestra

Central Academy of Technology and Arts – Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition

Best Student Costume Designer

Ardrey Kell High School – Olivia Chiseck and Keeley Schmidt - Matilda the Musical

Best Student Set Designer

Gaston Day School – Eli Dills – Newsies

Best Student Stage Manager

Central Academy of Technology and Arts – Margo Smith - Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition

Best Student Critic
Northwest School of the Arts - Isabella Meltzer
 

Along with The Blumey Awards themselves, five students were awarded college scholarships. The Mary Doctor Performing Arts Scholarship annually benefits two graduating high school seniors within the Charlotte region who are preparing to major in performance or a technical area of the performing arts. Scholarships are typically $10,000 and are annually renewable during a student’s four-year undergraduate program. This year, the Mary Doctor committee selected Laila Brothers from Northwest School of the Arts, and Marley Noel from Harper Middle College High School. Laila will be pursuing a BFA in Dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Marley will be attending North Carolina A&T University in the fall, pursing a visual arts undergraduate degree. 

The Gordon Hay Scholarship Committee recently selected Evie Nootenboom from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts as this year’s scholarship recipient. Each year, a deserving high school senior or college freshman or sophomore is selected to receive this unique $5,000 scholarship. The award is not for tuition, class fees, or living expenses, but for special learning opportunities related to the recipient’s career interest in a nonperforming area of the performing arts (e.g. lighting and sound design, set design, costume design, stage management, etc.). Evie is currently majoring in Lighting Design & Technology at UNCSA with a goal of working professionally in technical theater after graduation. 

This year’s Gordon Hay scholarship application deadline is June 6, 2022. High school seniors as well as college freshmen and sophomores are eligible to apply. Information can be found at blumenthalarts.org/college-scholarships.

The gala celebration was a highlight of the competition, which started in January when local schools began presenting their annual musical theater productions, many which were back for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Each school’s musical was viewed and evaluated by a panel of three judges, who awarded points according to detailed guidelines. 

The Blumey Awards is produced by Blumenthal Performing Arts and is presented by Wells Fargo. The Doctor Family Foundation and The Leon Levine Foundation provide additional support. Charlotte joins more than 40 other cities, including Pittsburgh, Houston, and Atlanta, in hosting annual high school musical theater awards programs.

“Wells Fargo has been the presenting sponsor of the Blumey Awards since its inception in 2012,” said Rodrick Banks, Vice President, Community Relations for Wells Fargo. “We are always excited to see the talent exhibited on stage and which outstanding young adults are selected. We are particularly proud of this year’s deserving winners.”

Like the Tony Awards®, The Blumey Awards Ceremony featured a performance by each of the six nominated schools in the best musical category, a medley of performances by the six finalists for Best Actor and for Best Actress, and an opening and closing number that featured two students from each of the forty-one participating schools.

David Dabbon once again served as music director and orchestrator for The Blumey Awards. David is a New York–based composer and Grammy-nominated orchestrator and has served as the music director since the inaugural Blumey Awards ceremony in 2012. 

Broadway actor Tyler McKenzie, a graduate of Central Academy of Technology & Arts in Monroe and Western Carolina University, choreographed the opening and closing numbers as well as the medleys. He is currently a Universal Swing in Hamilton and has performed on Broadway as well as in several national tours. Tyler is also a skilled educator, working across the country, including on the Musical Theatre faculty at Penn State University.

The schools that competed this year included: Ardrey Kell High School, Bandys High School, Butler High School, Carmel Christian School, Central Academy of Technology and Arts, Central Cabarrus High School, Charlotte Country Day School, Charlotte Latin School, Concord Academy, Corvian Community School, Covenant Day School, Cox Mill High School, Cuthbertson High School, Davidson Day School, East Lincoln High School, Gaston Christian School, Gaston Day School, Hickory Ridge High School, Hopewell High School, Kings Mountain High School, Lake Norman High School, Lincolnton High School, Mooresville High School, Myers Park High School, Nation Ford High School, North Gaston High School, North Lincoln High School, Northwest Cabarrus High School, Northwest School of the Arts, Northwestern High School, Piedmont Community Charter School, Pine Lake Preparatory, Providence Day School, Providence High School, Shelby High School, South Mecklenburg High School, South Pointe High School, Weddington High School, West Cabarrus High School, Westminster Catawba Christian School, and William A. Hough High School.

For more information: BlumenthalArts.org/BlumeyAwards
 

For photos and interview requests: Contact Rachel Peterson, rachel.peterson@blumenthalarts.org

 

ABOUT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS
Blumenthal Performing Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education provider. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Performing Arts receives support from the Infusion Fund and the North Carolina Arts Council. Generous support is also provided by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights series, and Equitable, sponsor of the Equitable Bravo Series.