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Hello Artists!

It is my honor to welcome you to the inaugural KPA Bradley Awards. The KPA Bradley Awards were created to recognize the very best student performers across Kentucky and Southern Indiana — and you are part of this historic beginning. Your creativity, discipline, and courage reflect the vibrant future of the arts. We are proud to elevate your work, honor your accomplishments, and connect you with opportunities that help you grow as both artists and individuals.

This would not happen without the commitment of many. We would like to thank all the participating schools, the family members and educators who encourage young artists, and, of course, our partners. Thanks to The Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet for their ongoing support of Kentucky Performing Arts and arts and culture throughout the Commonwealth and our friends and partners at Louisville Theatrical Association, who have joined us in launching this program.

Congratulations on all you’ve achieved to be here. We are cheering you on and can’t wait to see where your talents take you next.

With admiration and excitement,

BRADLEY BROECKERTHE MAN BEHIND THE NAME

Bradley L. Broecker was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Eastern High School and received his B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 1960. An amateur magician in his early years, he also played tuba and double bass in his schools’ bands and orchestras.

He spent the next ten years working for his family-owned Southern Star Meat Packing. He joined Brown & Williamson Tobacco in 1970 as a Brand Manager in B&W’s marketing department. He developed national programs which included the Kool Jazz Festivals, Kool Hot Air Balloon Tour and the Viceroy Indy Car.

On behalf of the Louisville Theatrical Association’s Board of Directors, welcome to the Inaugural KPA Bradley Awards ceremony.

For many years we’ve worked with Kentucky Performing Arts to bring the National High School Musical awards to Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Tonight, those dreams come true. We salute all the represented schools, the students, the teachers and faculty, and the families who’ve supported their child’s love of musical theatre and the arts. We’re proud that for the first time ever, two students will represent us in New York, at the Jimmy Awards ®, the “Tony Awards for High School Students”. Mark your calendar for June 23rd and keep an eye out for the live stream link.

Thank you to the team at Kentucky Performing Arts for a wonderful collaboration. And hats off to the Louisville Theatrical Association and its PNC Broadway in Louisville subscribers whose commitment to arts in education changes lives.

LESLIE BROECKER | President of Broadway Across America and The Louisville Theatrical Association

While working for B&W he joined the board of the Louisville Theatrical Association, presenter of touring Broadway shows in Louisville. He became president of the Board in 1979 and held that position until 2024, when he was appointed Chairman Emeritus. In 1984 he left B&W and created the Broadway Series Management Group which expanded his touring Broadway interests to Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, as well as six markets in Florida. He partnered with a New York/Houston based theatrical company to establish the largest Broadway presentation network in the country, now known as Broadway Across America.

Broecker retired from the Broadway Series Management Group in 2005. In 2006 the Board of the Louisville Orchestra asked him to manage the Orchestra. He continued in this pro-bono role for three years.

Broecker served as a Tony-voting member of the Broadway League and on its’ Board of Governors. He is a recipient of the Broadway League’s “Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management” award. In 2009, the Louisville Fund for the Arts presented him with the Leader’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. He currently serves on the Boards of the Heuser Hearing Institute and Trees Louisville. He married Carla Sue Broecker in 1961. He has two daughters, Leslie K. Broecker and the late Amy Kessler and two grandchildren, Christopher and Caroline Kessler.

KPA BRADLEY AWARDS CREATIVE TEAM

AUSTIN VAHLE | Staging Director

Austin is a theatre educator, arts administrator and freelance director who has performed, stage managed, choreographed, and directed within a variety of community, collegiate, regional and professional theatres. Austin has worked with Lexington Children’s Theatre, Woodford Theatre, Studio Players, Distilled Theatre Company, Gateway Regional Arts, SKyPAC, the WKU Theatre for Young Audiences programming, as well as with multiple school theatre programs/troupes across the state of Kentucky. In 2022, Austin was named one of the finalists and received an Honorable Mention for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University. SDC Member.

Jessica has honed her craft in theatre as a musical director, arranger, producer and performer for a plethora of theatre companies and schools throughout Central Kentucky. She received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from Berea College, a Masters in Conducting from Eastern Kentucky University and two Specialist Certificates in Educational Leadership (Principalship and Superintendency) from The University of Kentucky. She works at the Kentucky Department of Education supporting teachers throughout the Bluegrass in implementing the Kentucky Academic Standards for Visual and Performing Arts. She is excited to be part of the inaugural Bradley Awards and to celebrate the achievement of students in musical theatre throughout Kentuckiana.

LYDIA AUSTIN | Choreographer

Lydia, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, loves investing her time in dance education and exploring creativity in her choreography. With more than twenty years in dance education as a dancer, teacher and choreographer, she specializes in modern, ballet, and jazz styles. Dance is a vehicle that has taken her many places and provided her with many awesome experiences. She is extremely grateful and ecstatic about her next adventure working with the performers at the inaugural KPA Bradley Awards this June.

ANGELA HOPPERTON | Music Arranger

Angela Hopperton holds a B.A. in Music from the University of Louisville, along with B.A. degrees in English, French, and Humanities. She arranged music for the show, recorded the performance tracks used in the ceremony, and plays keys I in the pit. With a background in performance, composition, and musical directing, she has enjoyed a lifetime of various musical experiences. Angela is thrilled to be a part of this inaugural ceremony.

Nick Covault is Vice President of Education & Community for Kentucky Performing Arts (KPA), providing oversight to KPA’s educational programs: The KPA Bradley Awards, ArtsReach, and the Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA). Nick also served as GSA’s Executive Director from 2016 through 2023. He first fell in love with theatre attending shows at The Kentucky Center as a child, inspiring him to obtain degrees in both Vocal Music Performance and Arts Administration; his career has since focused on empowering young artists and those who support them. His community leadership has included partnerships with the Kentucky Arts Council, the National Conference of Governor’s Schools, the Kentucky Rural Urban Exchange, and recognition as a Louisville Business First “40 Under 40” leader.

Dean Alan Muir is the KPA Bradley Awards Manager. His history with Kentucky Performing Arts (KPA) dates back to the summer of 2005 when he attended Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) as a student in the Musical Theatre discipline. He went on to work four summers on GSA staff in the roles of RA, DA, and Intern before joining the administrative team full time in 2022 as the GSA Alumni Coordinator. He was honored to accept his new role as the KPA Bradley Awards Manager in late 2024 and is thrilled to celebrate the talent shared by all sixteen participating schools in the program’s inaugural year. Dean holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Northern Kentucky University and an MS in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport. Fun Facts: Dean was the 2007 Poetry Out Loud Kentucky State Champion (where he placed in the top twelve at nationals) and his favorite role he has ever played is The Rum Tum Tugger in CATS at NKU. He would like to thank his Husband, David, and his parents, Lois and Merle, for their never-ending love and support throughout his life.

JESSICA GREENE | Music Director

NICK COVAULT | Vice President of Education & Community

DEAN ALAN MUIR | KPA Bradley Awards Manager

AWARDS CEREMONY

Opening Medley

Performed by KPA Bradley Awards Showcase Ensemble

Opening Remarks

Award Presentation: Behind The Scenes Excellence Sponsored by Bradley Broecker

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee Performance: Youth Performing Arts School; Beethoven Day from YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN!

Award Presentation: Outstanding Student Designer Sponsored by Think Tank Marketing

Award Presentation: Outstanding Technical Execution

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee Performance: Daviess County High School; Come Spirit, Come Charm from THE SECRET GARDEN

Award Presentation: Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Award Presentation: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee Performance: New Albany High School; We Both Reached For The Gun, from CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION

Award Presentation: Outstanding Dance Execution

Best Actor Character Group Medley Performed by Best Actor in a Leading Role Nominees

Intermission (15 minutes)

A Special Video Message from Broadway

Best Actress Character Group Medley Performed by Best Actress in a Leading Role Nominees

Award Presentation: Outstanding Arts Mentor Sponsored by Bruce Merrick and Karen McCoy

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee Performance: McCracken County High School; Be The Hero from BIG FISH

Award Presentation: Outstanding Community Engagement

Award Presentation: Outstanding Ensemble Sponsored by Frank and Paula Harshaw

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee Performance: Sacred Heart Academy; Act II Finale from INTO THE WOODS

Remarks: The Jimmy Awards

Award Presentation: Best Actor in a Leading Role

Award Presentation: Best Actress in a Leading Role

Award Presentation: Best Overall Musical Production Sponsored by Michael E. Berry in memory of Helen J. Berry

Closing Medley

Performed by KPA Bradley Awards Showcase Ensemble

MUSIC CREDITS (IN ORDER OF PRESENTATION)

KPA Bradley Awards Opening Medley

Arranged by Jessica Greene & Angela Hopperton

Contributions by Lydia Austin & Austin Vahle

Featuring: I Hope I Get It from A Chorus Line, Our Time from Merrily We Roll Along, Seize the Day from Newsies, One Short Day from Wicked, It’s My Life from & Juliet, Tonight Belongs to You from The Prom.

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee: Youth Performing Arts School

Beethoven Day from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee: Daviess County High School

Come Spirit, Come Charm from The Secret Garden

Music and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee: New Albany High School

We Both Reached for the Gun from Chicago: Teen Edition

Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb

Best Actor Character Group Medley

Arranged by Jessica Greene & Angela Hopperton

Contributions by Austin Vahle

Featuring: Wick from The Secret Garden, Grow for Me from Little Shop of Horrors, I’m Not a Loser from The Spongebob Musical, Book Report from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, What’s Next from Big Fish

Best Actress Character Group Medley

Arranged by Jessica Greene & Angela Hopperton

Contributions by Austin Vahle

Featuring: My New Philosophy from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Steps of the Palace from Into the Woods, I Don’t Need a Roof from Big Fish, Chop to the Top from The Spongebob Musical, All That Jazz from Chicago: Teen Edition

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee: McCracken County High School

Be the Hero from Big Fish

Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa, Book by John August

Best Overall Musical Production Nominee: Sacred Heart Academy

Act II Finale from Into the Woods

Book by James Lapine, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

KPA Bradley Awards Closing Medley

Arranged by Jessica Greene, Angela Hopperton

Contributions by Lydia Austin & Austin Vahle

Featuring: For the Dreamers from Back to the Future, Everybody Rejoice/Brand New Day from The Wiz, You Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray, Let Me Be Your Star from SMASH

AWARD CATEGORIES & NOMINEES

Behind the Scenes Excellence

Outstanding Student Designer

Outstanding Technical Execution

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - BIG FISH

Mercer County Senior High School, Harrodsburg, KYLITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

New Albany High School, New Albany, IN - CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION

Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, KY - INTO THE WOODS

Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KYYOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN!

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Cyrus Jaques as Mr. Krabs Franklin County High School, Frankfort, KY - THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

Sam Lynn as Don Price

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - BIG FISH

Landon Howard as Audrey II Mercer County Senior High School, Harrodsburg, KYLITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Aneesh Nair as Kevin Gnapoor Paul Laurence Dunbar, Lexington, KY - MEAN GIRLS: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION

Finnegan Broyles as Rapunzel’s Prince Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, KY - INTO THE WOODS

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Elaina Norton as Rose Daviess County High School, Owensboro, KY - THE SECRET GARDEN

Silvia Periago as Clarisse Floyd Central High School, Floyds Knobs, IN - THE LIGHTNING THIEF

Lyvia McCutchen as Pearl Krabs Franklin County High School, Frankfort, KY - THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

Janeway Howard as Countess Ipolitov Lafayette High School, Lexington, KY - ANASTASIA

Evie Robertson as Jenny Hill

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - BIG FISH

Outstanding Dance Execution

Franklin County High School, Frankfort, KY - THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - BIG FISH

New Albany High School, New Albany, IN - CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION

Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, KY - INTO THE WOODS

Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KYYOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN!

Oustanding Arts Mentor

SPONSORED BY BRUCE MERRICK & KAREN MCCOY

Sarah Fain

Ballard High School, Louisville, KY - SHREK: THE MUSICAL

Phyllis Westfall

John Hardin High School, Elizabethtown, KY - MAMMA MIA!

Amanda Simmons

New Albany High School, New Albany, IN - CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION

Maddie Anderson

Randall K Cooper High School, Union, KY - INTO THE WOODS

Cayce Crowder-Abellard

Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KYYOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN!

Oustanding Community Engagement

Bryan Station High School, Lexington, KY - SHREK: THE MUSICAL

Floyd Central High School, Floyds Knobs, IN - THE LIGHTNING THIEF

Lafayette High School, Lexington, KY - ANASTASIA

Randall K Cooper High School, Union, KY - INTO THE WOODS

Oustanding Ensemble Performance

Best Actor in a Leading Role

John Brasher as Dickon Daviess County High School, Owensboro, KY - THE SECRET GARDEN

Joey Webb as Squidward Franklin County High School, Frankfort, KY - THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

Carson Chesnut as Will Bloom McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - BIG FISH

Braydon Branam as Seymour Mercer County Senior High School, Harrodsburg, KYLITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Jeremiah Stephens as Schroeder Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KYYOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN!

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Kelsie Thacker as Sandy Cheeks Franklin County High School, Frankfort, KY - THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

Abigail Scheer as Sandra Bloom McCracken County High School, Paducah, KY - BIG FISH

Jenna Morrison as Velma Kelly New Albany High School, New Albany, IN - CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION

Caylen Judd as Cinderella Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, KY - INTO THE WOODS

Kennedy Julian as Sally Brown Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KYYOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN!

Best Overall Musical Production

ABOUT THE JIMMY AWARDS ®

The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) program impacts approximately 150,000 students who participate in 55 regional high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of touring Broadway productions throughout the United States.

Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $6,000,000 in educational scholarships since its launch in 2009. Presented by The Broadway League Foundation, Inc., the NHSMTA invites two nominees from each local regional ceremony to New York City for a rigorous theatre intensive that includes coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway’s most accomplished professionals.

Nominees will spend ten days in New York City from Friday, June 13, 2025, through Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and their experience will culminate in an extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The sixteenth annual Jimmy Awards will take place on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Minskoff Theatre. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com

SHOWCASE ENSEMBLE

Daniel Amaral

Drew Ashley

Mary Shea Ballentine

Lucy Bentley

Kristen Blandford

Braydon Branam

John Brasher

Carson Chesnut

Clementine Connell

Gillian Dickinson

Sophie Elkins

Isabella Estepp

Anna Green

Logan Gwynn

Iris Henning

Ariadne Malaave Hernandez

Joannah Hibbett

Landon Howard

Kamryn Johnson

Maxwell Johnson

Rivers Jones

Caylen Judd

Kennedy Julian

Ella Kennedy

Searcy Lotz

Akili Lowe

Holly Marshall

Sofia Martinez

Kylie Mobley

Jenna Morrison

Jack Nelson

Jaya Nesler

Jonathan Reiter

Kenzie Rose

Lili Sanders

Abigail Scheer

William Scott

Jeremiah Stephens

Harper Taylor

Kelsie Thacker

Joey Webb

Dashawndre Wright

BROADWAY’S NEXT GENERATION!

Two students from our program will join teens from across the U.S. to compete for top honors in a one-night-only showcase at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards®

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Ballard High School | Louisville, KY

EDUCATOR: FAITH ANDERSON

Bryan Station High School | Lexington, KY

EDUCATOR: KALA CHAFFIN

Daviess County High School | Owensboro, KY

EDUCATOR: JACOB HEIN

Floyd Central High School | Floyds Knobs, IN

EDUCATOR: BROOKLYN CHALFANT

Franklin County High School | Frankfort, KY

EDUCATOR: KATE OSTERLOH

Greenwood High School | Bowling Green, KY

EDUCATOR: MARY BETH MCGINTY

John Hardin High School | Elizabethtown, KY

EDUCATOR: PHYLLIS WESTFALL

or join us at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre

Kentucky Country Day School | Louisville, KY

EDUCATOR: MICHELLE SALERNO

Lafayette High School | Lexington, KY

EDUCATOR: AMIE KISLING

McCracken County High School | Paducah, KY

EDUCATOR: MARY BOWDEN

Mercer County Senior High School | Harrodsburg, KY

EDUCATOR: EMILEE GIVENS

New Albany High School | New Albany, IN

EDUCATOR: AMANDA SIMMONS

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School | Lexington, KY

EDUCATOR: ALICIA HENNING

Randall K Cooper High School | Union, KY

EDUCATOR: KAREN WIEBE

Sacred Heart Academy | Louisville, KY

EDUCATOR: KATHIE DAVIS

Youth Performing Arts School | Louisville, KY

EDUCATOR: CAYCE CROWDER-ABELLARD

ADJUDICATORS AND NOMINATION PANELISTS

Kim Baker

Heather Weston Bell

Dr. Brittany Benningfield

Tracey Bonner

Zachary Boone

Dr. Tiffany Bostic-Brown

Leslie Broecker

Scott Brons

Kevin Brost

Zachary Bush

Jordan Campbell

Kathy Campbell

Casey Clark

John Austin Clark

Dr. Tamekka Corneilius

Catherine Cypert

Cheryl Ellery

Mark Fields

Gill Frame

Stacey Hallahan Griffin

Amber Lentz

Bo List

Myah Mallory

Julie McGuffey

Noelle Padauk

Vanessa Becker Weig

KPA BRADLEY AWARDS BAND

Angela Hopperton, Keyboard

Kelsen Gomes, Synthesizer

Luke Jackson, Electric Guitar

Paul Reich, Bass Guitar

Justin Balcor, Percussion

KENTUCKY PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION

Noelle Padauk, Production Stage Manager

Myah Mallory, Sound Designer

KENTUCKY PERFORMING ARTS MARKETING

Amber Lentz, Graphic Designer

Erin Kuhn, Senior Marketing Manager

Amanda Gosman, Digital Marketing Manager

Kim McKercher, Patron Database Manager

Christian Adelberg, VP, Marketing and Communications

Fostering Community

ArtsReach collaborates with emerging performing artists and organizations creating spaces, opportunities, and platforms to share their vision and voice. ArtsReach nurtures and develops diverse artists and audiences, engages youth, and fosters community through the arts and through professional development.

ArtsReach (a program of Kentucky Performing Arts) creates powerful and meaningful experiences for our community through access to arts events, resources, and spaces.