Blumenthal Performing Arts Announces the 2021 Blumey Awards Best Actor and Best Actress Finalists

(April 28, 2021) Charlotte, NC - Blumenthal Performing Arts is pleased to announce the Best Actor and Best Actress finalists 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 25^th at 8pm.

 

Last week, the 66 Best Actor and Best Actress nominees from this year’s 34 participating schools took part in a Blumey Awards Bootcamp, a two-day audition workshop intensive led by industry professionals. The workshop culminated with a second round of auditions for a panel of judges.

 

A 30-minute Blumey Awards Celebration show, airing on PBS Charlotte May 25^th at 8pm, will feature the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees from every participating school, two medley numbers featuring the 6 top scoring finalists in each category and the announcement of the Best Actor and Best Actress winners. The winners will go on to 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 15^th.

 

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 finalists for the 2021 Blumey Awards:

 

Best Actor

 

Bryson Battle	Hickory Ridge High School
Cameron Meyer	Northwest Cabarrus High School
Daniel Turner	Mooresville High School
Jackson Randall	Central Academy of Technology and Arts
Keyon Pickett, Jr.	Northwest School of the Arts
Lance Lokas	Covenant Day School

 

Best Actress

 

Kate McCracken	Charlotte Latin School
Katherine Beason	Providence Day School
Kathleen Moore	Davidson Day School
Molly Neal	South Pointe High School
Rachel Ochoa	East Lincoln High School
Sophie Miller	Northwest School of the Arts

 

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 the 300+ original participants, this year’s program shifted to an individual audition-based model to allow for significant social distancing and safety protocols in excess of CDC and local recommendations.

 

“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.”

 

###

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 operating support from the Arts & Science Council and North Carolina Arts Council. Blumenthal Performing Arts is also supported by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights.