TPA Program: The 2026 Heller Awards for Young Artists
MAY 6, 2026 | BASS CONCERT HALL
PRESENTED BY
TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS THANKS THOSE WHO MAKE THIS PROGRAM POSSIBLE:
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Anonymous
Cipione Family Foundation
Mary Ann and Andrew Heller
Marcia and Gary Nelson
Bettye Nowlin
Heather Petkovsek
Carolyn and Marc Seriff
SCHOLARSHIPS
SPONSOR
Cipione Family Foundation
ENDOWMENTS
Heller Awards for Young Artists Endowment
Marcia L. Nelson Endowment for High School Musical Theater Awards
Marc and Carolyn Seriff Endowment for High School Musical Theater
TECHNICAL SPONSOR
Olden Lighting AWARD SPONSORS
Tiff’s Treats
DONORS
Avanza Capital
Sharon Cohan
The Law Office of
Robert M. McCabe, PLLC
Becky and Jeff Robinson
Chuck Smith
Elizabeth Kalamaha-Wynn and Michael Wynn
Concordia University
Texas
MEDIA SPONSORS
PBS Austin KMFA
Trevor Scott / We Are Austin
TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS LEADERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS
Brian Haley, Chair
Kristin Alexander, Chair Elect
Tamara Dorrance, Vice Chair
Mike Herman, Vice Chair
Malú Alvarez
Lisa Cartwright
Carly Christopher
A. Mechele Dickerson
Lisa Duchon & Dennis Andrulis
Debbie Dupré
Dennis Eakin
Aubrey & Bobby Epstein
Deborah Green
Sheri Clark Henriksen
Steve Houston
Nancy & Angus Littlejohn
Gifts pledged or received as of April 1, 2026
Kathleen Irvin Loughlin
Chris Mattsson
Robyn Metcalfe
Robert Morse
Eric Natinsky
Heidi Post
Lauren Reid
Sue Zamkow
ABOUT THE HELLER AWARDS FOR YOUNG ARTISTS
The Heller Awards for Young Artists (HAYA) was founded by the Long Center for the Performing Arts, Texas Performing Arts, and the Zach Theater. The program was presented and produced by the Long Center from 2014 to 2025. Since its inception, the Heller Awards for Young Artists have impacted over 20,000 students and educators from over 45 high schools by providing resources and key support systems for musical theatre programs. In addition to the awards ceremony, this year-round program celebrates the achievements of exceptional students and provides professional training, mentorship, performance opportunities, industry networking, and community building for thousands of young artists across Central Texas. texasperformingarts.org/hayas.
TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS presents THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL
Heller Awards for Young Artists
Hosted by VINCENT JAMAL HOOPER with Award Presenters
JESSICA O’BRIEN AND DONELVAN THIGPEN
DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER
Ginger Morris
LIGHTING DESIGN
Rachel Atkinson
PROJECTION DESIGN
Eliot Haynes
SOUND DESIGN & ENGINEER
Jose Prado, LEVO
COSTUME DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Teresa Carson
FEATURING THE 2025 IMPACT ARTS SELECT ENSEMBLE
Kash Ames Brooklyn Angell† Anna Ardolio Oriana Bittar* Hazel Buxton*
Melody Cano Stephanie Carter Juni Castro Emili Chytil Dexter Close
Hazel Close Varian Cozart* Grayson Croft Jack Curtis•
Malachi Dennis Thomas De La Cruz Reilly Favacho‡ Christian Fendt
Seth Flores† Irik Ganem Aubrey Hall Sydnee Ingram Zoë Jackson
Mary Jensen Grace Kennedy Kaitlyn Kenney‡ Mimi Long Blaine Lovett
Sophia Maniccia Joseph Martinez Alex Matthews* Mila Maxon
Noah Mayard
London Mays Reagan McCabe Juno McQueen Alexa Moy‡
Kat Pruett-Ponvert† Soraya Rector* Elliott Richards‡ Makenzie Roberts
Seth Rodriguez• Mary Shammas† Sophie Straus Maya Vaughn
Dakota Wade Aiden Watson Elle Wiatrek Dipper Wilson Preston Withrow *Apprentices †Student Stage Managers ‡Dance Captains •Music Captains
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS / CHOREOGRAPHERS
Rachael Koske Coy Branscum
MUSIC ORCHESTRATOR
Ben Roberts
PRODUCTION COORDINATORS
Shannon Richey
Gloria Labatut Davies
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS / CHOREOGRAPHERS
Seth Rivas Kira Griffin
Abigail Storm Elliott Richards
MUSIC DIRECTOR / ARRANGER Adam Roberts
PRODUCTION MANAGER Scott Vandenberg
COMPANY MANAGERS
Charlotte Adair Alyssa Conchas
TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT STAFF
Tim Rogers, Director of Education & Engagement
Eric Vera, Education Program Manager
Aubrey Felty, Education & Engagement Program Coordinator
Insha Iqbal, Emerging Arts Professional, E&E
Impact Arts, a non-profit arts education organization, co-produces the Heller Awards for Young Artists for Texas Performing Arts.
KEYS
Jonathan Forbes
Rob Greenfield
REEDS
Cynthia Mixon
Noel Esquivel
Tony Bray
OPERATIONS
MANAGER
Cole Rickman
TROPHY FABRICATOR
NP Glass: Bob Neil & David Pace
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Peyton Calhoon
Ellena Martinez
ORCHESTRA
CONDUCTOR
Adam Roberts
PERCUSSION
Trevor Detling
Ben Armeni
TRUMPET
Matthew Collins
Matt DeVries
BASS
Gary Calhoun James
TROMBONE
Ken Mills
CEREMONY ANNOUNCER
Milaka Falk
DECK MANAGERS
Rylee Vines
Casey Boriskie
Charlotte Adair
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Henry Huey
Dave Hawks
VIDEO CONTENT EDITOR
Damon Brown
VIDEOGRAPHER
LEVO Audio Visual
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Saleen Asebedo Ochoa
Elizabeth Wiggins
Lainey Wolf
SWINGS
Anna Ardolino
Hazel Buxton
Reilly Favacho
Aubrey Hall
Grace Kennedy
Blaine Lovett
Mila Maxon
Reagan McCabe
Soraya Rector
Seth Rodriguez
GUITAR
Marco Santos
VIOLIN
John Holguin
EVENT / VOLUNTEER
COORDINATORS
Christy Kennedy
April Hudson
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Motley Crew Media
ARTS ADMINISTRATION INTERNS
Charlotte Adair
Alyssa Conchas
Anna Blanchard
SoJo Gonzales
Abigail Williams
TROPHY BEARERS
Lucky Cantu
Megan Hudson
Arianna Pierce
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Adam Roberts Voice
The Adderley School
Austin ISD Performing Arts Center
Balance Dance Studios
Broadway Teaching Workshop
SPECIAL THANKS
Marc Seriff Jill Leberknight George Franco Noah Wood
Jersey Mike's Subs Little Caesars Pizza Strong Events
And a very special thanks to all of the 2025-2026 Heller Awards for Young Artists Adjudicators
VOLUNTEER TEAM
Stacie Cratty
Rachel Hernandez
Kimberly Huddleston
Desiree Laing
Debbie Lemons
Adina McCombs
Adam Romer
Katherine Romer
Julie Schwartz
VOLUNTEERS
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
Jasper Collins
Andy Dailey
Quinn Duderstadt
John Forsythe
Hailey Hill
Burton Holbert
Ethan Linder
Zoey Martinez
Armie Melton
MJ Orton
Kaitlyn Solis
Ella Wade
Andrew Wyatt
When Texans are in need, we lend a hand. We fight hunger, provide disaster relief, and honor our educators and military. We do this for one simple reason. We are from here, so we are helping here. Helping
When Texans are in need, we lend a hand. We fight hunger, provide disaster relief, and honor our educators military. We do this for one simple reason. We are here, so we are helping here.
AWARDS AND PERFORMANCES
ACT 1
OPENING NUMBER
I’M IN A SHOW
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY Allen Robertson
PRESENTED BY The 2026 Impact Arts Select Ensemble
FEATURING NOMINEES IN THE CATEGORIES OF Best Lead Performer | Male Category, Best Lead Performer | Female Category, Best Supporting Performer | Male Category, Best Supporting Performer | Female Category, Featured Performer | Individual Category, and Featured Performer | Ensemble Category
WELCOME — Vincent Jamal Hooper, Host
VIDEO MONTAGE
Celebrating 40 Participating Schools
SUPPORTING ROLE PERFORMANCE
TOGETHER WHEREVER WE GO FROM Gypsy
FEATURING
Ace Howell as Herbie in Gypsy at AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL
Lola Romero as June in Gypsy at AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL
Jackson Ingalls as Race in Newsies at CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Zachary Neumann as Davey in Newsies at CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Ava Morgan as Celisse in Godspell at CHAPARRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Blaine Lovett as Jack in Into the Woods at DRIPPING SPRING HIGH SCHOOL
Luca Zamora as Hades in Hadestown Teen Edition at GATEWAY COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Aliyana Castillo as Cinderella in Into the Woods at HUTTO HIGH SCHOOL
Scarlett Caffey as Alice Beineke in The Addams Family at MCNEIL HIGH SCHOOL
Julia Chapman as Berthe in Pippin at ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL
Jacob Zuniga as Davey in Newsies at ROUSE HIGH SCHOOL
Kevin Mitschke as Crutchy in Newsies at ROUSE HIGH SCHOOL
Jack Stratton as Cookie McGee in Nice Work If You Can Get It at VISTA RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Nyla George as Duchess Estonia Dulworth in Nice Work If You Can Get It at VISTA RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Avery Johnson as Dodgy/Duchess in Alice by Heart at WEISS HIGH SCHOOL
Raegan Gonzales as Red Cross Nurse/Queen of Hearts in Alice by Heart at WEISS HIGH SCHOOL
Stella Mutoni as Tabatha/Cheshire Cat in Alice by Heart at WEISS HIGH SCHOOL
Alexandra Watson as Tabatha/Cheshire Cat in Alice by Heart at ZACH PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY
Weiss Raegan Gonzales as Red Cross Nurse, Queen of Hearts
Austin Lola Romero as June
ZACH Academy...................... Alexandra Watson as Tabatha, Cheshire Cat
Chaparral Ava Morgan as Celisse
McNeil Scarlett Caffey as Alice Beineke
Weiss Stella Mutoni as Tabatha, Cheshire Cat
Round Rock
Julia Chapman as Berthe
Vista Ridge ....................................... Nyla George as Estonia Dulworth
Hutto Aliyana Castillo as Cinderella
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER | MALE CATEGORY
Rouse .............................................. Jacob Zuniga as Davey
Gateway Prep ................................. Luca Zamora as Hades
Cedar Ridge Zachary Neumann as Davey
Weiss............................................ Avery Johnson as The Duchess, Dodgy Dripping Springs ............................. Blaine Lovett as Jack
SELECTION FROM BEST PRODUCTION NOMINEE
ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL
MAGIC TO DO
FROM Pippin
Cedar Ridge .................................
Jackson Ingalls as Race
Austin Ace Howell as Herbie
Vista Ridge Jack Stratton as Cookie McGee
Rouse ........................................... Kevin Mitschke as Crutchie
FEATURING Jordyn Bauer, Alex Baumgarten, Belen Blair, Mae Bridges, Noah Cantu, Julia Chapman, Sean Condon, Ella Copeland, Matilyn Cothern, Ryan Crosby, Macie Crownover, Colin Durham, Nico Gallegos, Madison Gumbert, Lyndal Heer, Olivia Herrington, Owen Hyink, Brandon Jones, Riya Kodukula, Travis LaPierre, Peter Lemons, Tabitha Lowe, Josh Luther, Enik McCollister, Andrea Miranda, Foster Morgan-Judd, Emma Motal, Anna Nelson, Zachary Nelson, Savannah Owuor, Charlie Rimmer, Quinn Rogers, Cera Savannah, Madison Stryjewski, Madison Vance, Elsa Welch
Wendell Norton as TJ McCallum Hallie Cooper as Ms. Winx, Jessamyn Jacobs
Lockhart
Brooklyn Fuller as Crystal Austin .......................................... Gather Slauter as Tessie Tura
Vista Ridge .......................................Josh Burdick as Chief Berry
McNeil ...................................... Maxton Newman as Lurch
East View Payton Smith as Marya
Cedar Park Ben Akers as Lewis
ZACH Academy.............................Reilly Favacho as Harold Pudding, Mad Hatter
BEST FEATURED PERFORMER | ENSEMBLE CATEGORY
Stony Point Sena Green as Chorus, Worker
Chaparral ...................................... Marlee Luther as Jesus’ Follower
Marble Falls ........................................ Ezra Bravo as Ancestor Belton Makayla Pryce as Bird Girl 1
Johnson ......................................Zariyah Wallace as Ensemble
SELECTION FROM BEST PRODUCTION NOMINEE
WEISS HIGH SCHOOL
THE KEY IS
FROM Alice by Heart
Westwood
Mimi Long as Zelda Zanders, Movie Star Ensemble Chaparral ................................ Alexandra Madera as Jesus’ Follower, Uzo Gateway Prep ....................................... TJ Martin as Worker
Anderson Summer Gottschalk as Ares, Ensemble
FEATURING Taylor Alborn, Ezra Bates, Princess Collins, Nana Corey, Phoenix Fish, Annabelle Flores, Grant Gonzales, Raegan Gonzales, Aubrey Hayden, Anna James, Avery Johnson, Stella Mallernee, London Mays, Kyle Megerle, Giselle Mejia, Gwendalyn Mejia, Stella Mutoni, Brooke Ng, Camryn Schneider, River Tinch, Eli Villanueva, Kennedy Williams
STUDENT STAGE MANAGER Lillian Hernandez & Gilbert Taylor
Hutto Stephanie Carter as Witch Rouse Kinsley Keen as Katherine Gateway Prep .............................. Aivree Zamora as Eurydice Manor Shani Medina as Eurydice Round Rock Anna Nelson as Leading Player
Tom Glenn
Clair Elam as Ellie Weiss London Mays as Alice East View .................................. Presley McEntee as Natasha Austin Mary Unberhagen as Rose
ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMPANY IMPACT & COMPANY SPIRIT AWARDS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF JIMMY AWARD NOMINEES
BEST PRODUCTION
Presented by Mary Ann and Andrew Heller
Alice by Heart ..............................................Weiss
Nice Work If You Can Get It...............Vista Ridge Into the Woods Hutto Alice by Heart ............................ ZACH Academy
FINALE
HIGHER
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY Allen Robertson
Newsies ....................................................... Rouse Gypsy ......................................................... Austin Pippin Round Rock Newsies ............................................ Cedar Ridge
FEATURING Akins Early College High School (Jason Bahn & Leah Rodriguez); Anderson High School (Chance Gottschalk & Ace Grossman); Austin High School (Clementine Kennedy); Bastrop High School (Marcel Driver & Stevie Moody); Cedar Park High School (Kylie Harris); Cedar Ridge High School (Peyton Marquez & Quinlan Stevenson); Chaparral High School (Hadassah Moon & Zachary Repine); Del Valle High School (Jordyn Price & Alberto Enamorado); Dripping Springs High School (Zora Dziak & Christian Patterson); East View High School (Aden Quintanilla); Elgin High School (Sparrow Ward & Mateo Guerrero); Gateway College Preparatory School (Abigail Degenhardt & Gabe Mayer); Harker Heights High School (Brayden Johnson & Skyler Jiminez); Hendrickson High School (Brennan Mercado & Zaniah Anzaldua); Hutto High School (Mandolyn Gauvin & Adelina Persson); Jack C. Hays High School (Cameron Klima & Bella Royal); Leander High School (Brooklyn Logan & Brayden Rodriguez); Lehman High School (Dipper Wilson & Alex Matthews); Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Mitike Sherman); Lockhart High School (Penelope Prine & Eva Feole); Manor High School (Maddox Causey & Duru Erdem); McCallum HS Fine Arts Academy (Pablo Arteaga & Paityn Jones); Moe and Gene Johnson High School (Jacqueline Orozco & Madyxx West); NYOS Charter School (Isoke Mitchell & Andrea Valladares); Round Rock High School (Riya Kodukula & Peter Lemons); Rouse High School (Landry Williams & Lindsay Morgan); San Marcos High School (Keira Hinton); Stony Point High School (Solana Hannah & Sena Green); Tom Glenn High School (Bella Tamayo); Vandegrift High School (Caspian Robinson & Lily Smetana); Vista Ridge High School (Sione Hansen & Kate Moore); Weiss High School (Grant Gonzales & Nana Corey); Westlake High School (Mitchel Wong); Westwood High School (Sophia Nikazm & Loic Pehrson); ZACH Performing Arts Academy (Grae Sweeney & Jachin Pagel)
Watch eight Central Texas high schools bring their brightest students to face off in a fast-paced competition!
Stream High School Quiz Show: Austin on the PBS app & Youtube.
WE ARE YOUR BIGGEST FANS
Weekdays at 9:00AM
SCHOLARSHIPS
Winners of these Heller Awards will receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Cipione Family Foundation to support their continuing education:
Best Lead Performer
Best Supporting Performer
Best Featured Performer
Student Achievement in Design, Marketing, and Stage Management Company Spirit Award
TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS
These educational partners provide scholarships to further the training of selected educators and students:
BROADWAY TEACHERS WORKSHOP
Two teachers will receive scholarships to a virtual three-day course. Twelve workshops make up this comprehensive program which is tailored for middle school and high school theatre teachers eager to spark their creativity and take their productions to the next level.
ADAM ROBERTS VOICE
The Macedo Unique Voice Scholarship provides two recipients the opportunity to study voice with Adam at no cost. Each student will receive 3 hour-long private training sessions with Adam via Zoom. This scholarship is available to students entering their Junior and Senior years of high school. Awardees are chosen based on their response to the question “What makes your voice unique?” Applicants are encouraged to consider their singing voice when responding, but more importantly the ways in which their voice as an artist contributes to our world.
THE ADDERLEY SCHOOL
The Adderley School Foundation provides
The Jack Dylan Grazer Scholarship which is awarded annually to one gifted musical theater student who is serious and passionate about strengthening their skills and honing their craft. The Adderley Conservatory is an invitation-only, advanced theatre ensemble dedicated to fostering artistic excellence in youth and teens ages 9-18yrs, who are passionate and serious about their development as musical theatre performers. Adderley Alumni include: Ben Platt, Kathryn Gallagher, Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Molly Gordon. The Conservatory
meets September - May with performances of a fully produced Broadway musical.
IMPACT ARTS COLLEGE AUDITION PROGRAM
Two students will receive scholarships to Impact Arts’ College Audition Program. One senior will receive the Audition Track scholarship, a comprehensive college audition experience for students preparing for Musical Theatre or Acting programs. One underclassman will receive the Foundations Track scholarship, designed to help younger students build material, strengthen audition skills, and prepare for the road ahead. CAP students have been accepted to top programs including Texas State, CCM, Carnegie Mellon, and Juilliard.
IMPACT ARTS TEXAS ARTS PROJECT
Two students will receive full scholarships to Texas Arts Project, Impact Arts’ summer intensive for passionate young performers ready to train at a higher level. Through rigorous instruction in musical theatre, acting, and dance, TAP challenges students to elevate their technique, deepen their artistry, and stand out in any professionalcaliber environment.
BALANCE DANCE STUDIOS & THE DANCE SPOT
Balance Dance Studios and The Dance Spot provide innovative programming for dancers of all ages and abilities, to be able to explore and excel. Scholarships will be provided to Balance Dance Studios’ Musical Theatre Summer Workshop and The Dance Spot’s Musical Theatre Workshop.
SEP 22–27, 2026
JAN 20–31, 2027
FEB 23–MAR 3, 2027 NOV 3–8, 2026
DEC 1–6, 2026
APR 6–11, 2027
MAY 19–30, 2027 APR 27–MAY 2, 2027
SEASON OPTION
OCT 21–23, 2026
SEASON OPTION
MAR 19–21, 2027
SEASON OPTION
JUN 8–13, 2027
At Concordia University Texas, we’re on a mission to leave Northwest Austin better than we found it. Our confident and service-minded approach translates hands-on learning in the classroom into transformative leadership in the spotlight. We champion all students, helping them grow their artistic gifts to make a difference.
Grow Your Gifts in Austin
A thriving arts community. Join us at Concordia Texas and embark on a journey where your curiosity meets courage, and your voice is amplified.
High-Quality Education, One Transparent Price
We’ve simplified the financial aid process by including all fees into one transparent cost of $25,900 per year. No hidden fees, just straightforward pricing for your education journey. Did we mention that our textbook program is offered at no cost for undergraduate students? Scan to get started on the journey to unleash your creative potential.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
AKINS EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
SISTER ACT
SCHOOL LIAISON ................... James Hoag
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ......Dakota Martin
STUDENT LIAISON .......... Celeste Castilleja
PARENT LIAISON ............. Charity Caldwell
ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL
THE LIGHTNING THIEF
SCHOOL LIAISON ..............Justin Lavergne
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .... Ellie Tumbusch
STUDENT LIAISON ................... Miriam Leal
PARENT LIAISON ................. Salome Casey
AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL
GYPSY
SCHOOL LIAISON ................ Kaylie Delauri
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ..... Gather Slauter
STUDENT LIAISON .................. Scout Beard
PARENT LIAISON ................... Ashley Beard
BASTROP HIGH SCHOOL
ANASTASIA
SCHOOL LIAISON ............... Alexis Hastings
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .. Virginia Lancaster
STUDENT LIAISON ............ Wyatt Gonzalez
PARENT LIAISON .......... Candice Carraway
BELTON HIGH SCHOOL
SEUSSICAL
SCHOOL LIAISON ................ Melissa Stuhff
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ... Evelyne Morrow
STUDENT LIAISON ............ Emily Rodriguez
CEDAR PARK HIGH SCHOOL
PIPPIN
SCHOOL LIAISON ............... Alisa Mirabella
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ...... Brianna Harris
STUDENT LIAISON ..................... Arthur Ce
PARENT LIAISON ....................... Inga Tapia
CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSIES
SCHOOL LIAISON ............ Kristie Copeland
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ... Elicie Utterback
STUDENT LIAISON ............ Brooklyn Angell
PARENT LIAISON ...................... Sarah Riley
CHAPARRAL HIGH SCHOOL
GODSPELL
SCHOOL LIAISON ....... Samantha Dunaway
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ...... Kayoni Harrell
STUDENT LIAISON ......... Lameika Boulding
PARENT LIAISON ................... Gina Melton
JOHN B. CONNALLY HIGH SCHOOL
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
SCHOOL LIAISON ................Amanda Breaz
DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL
EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL
SCHOOL LIAISON ........ Diamante Martinez
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ........... Ava Castro
DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
INTO THE WOODS
SCHOOL LIAISON ...................... Jill Seader
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ....Elise Chambers
STUDENT LIAISON ................... Aubrey Hall
PARENT LIAISON ..................... Jessica Hall
EAST VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
SCHOOL LIAISON .............. Jon DeMitchell
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON . Hunter Houseton
STUDENT LIAISON ............... Olivia Stewart
PARENT LIAISON ...................... Ryan Sauls
ELGIN HIGH SCHOOL
SEUSSICAL
SCHOOL LIAISON .............Cherisa Cromer
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ............. Rory Ruiz
STUDENT LIAISON ..................... Hailey Hill
PARENT LIAISON .................... Star McCoy
GATEWAY PREPARATORY SCHOOL
HADESTOWN
SCHOOL LIAISON .......Morgan Urbanovsky
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .......... Sam Heron
STUDENT LIAISON ........... Mackenzie Swan
PARENT LIAISON ................. Kelly McCabe
HARKER HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
BEETLEJUICE
SCHOOL LIAISON ........... Whitney Mitchell
PARENT LIAISON ................. Michelle Sims
SISTER ACT
SCHOOL LIAISON .................. Lory Stewart
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .... Genesis Garcia
STUDENT LIAISON ....... Johanna Bergmann
PARENT LIAISON ... Zoe Herrera-Rodriguez
HENDRICKSON HIGH SCHOOL CURTAINS
SCHOOL LIAISON ..................... Wes Naron
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON. Anastasia Benavides
STUDENT LIAISON ......Anastasia Benavides
PARENT LIAISON ..................... Donna Tran
HUTTO HIGH SCHOOL INTO THE WOODS
SCHOOL LIAISON ................... Rene Fulton
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON Carolina Davila Villarreal
STUDENT LIAISON ............ Angelina Rentas
PARENT LIAISON .................... Esme Davila
JACK C. HAYS HIGH SCHOOL
MOE & GENE JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL
MAMMA MIA!
SCHOOL LIAISON .............. Jessica Fleming
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ....... Brody Franke
STUDENT LIAISON ................... Ava Dornak
PARENT LIAISON ................ Krystal Phillips
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY (LASA)
RIDE THE CYCLONE
SCHOOL LIAISON ............. Jason Escandell
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ... Ezekiel Gregory
STUDENT LIAISON ................. Sadie Russell
PARENT LIAISON ................. Denise Fulton
LEANDER HIGH SCHOOL
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
SCHOOL LIAISON ............... Kiersta Hoover
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .. Thienn Peterson
STUDENT LIAISON ............. Mary Shammas
PARENT LIAISON ............ Annissa Peterson
LEHMAN HIGH SCHOOL
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
SCHOOL LIAISON ............... Joshua Boothe
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .... Ariana Balderaz
STUDENT LIAISON ......Madison Hernandez
PARENT LIAISON ............... Alfredo Lozano
LOCKHART HIGH SCHOOL
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
SCHOOL LIAISON ...... Kenedi Worthington
MANOR HIGH SCHOOL
HADESTOWN
SCHOOL LIAISON ............. Alexis Disimone
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON . Julie Lynn-Carswell
STUDENT LIAISON .................. Kaitlyn Solis
PARENT LIAISON . Jeanny Urdaneta Zabala
MARBLE FALLS HIGH SCHOOL
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
SCHOOL LIAISON .................... Bryce Gage
PARENT LIAISON .............. Christine Jones
MCCALLUM FINE ARTS ACADEMY
BETWEEN THE LINES
SCHOOL LIAISON ........ Kristin Vandenberg
STUDENT LIAISON ................. Caroline Bell
PARENT LIAISON ................... Isadora Lang
MCNEIL HIGH SCHOOL
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
SCHOOL LIAISON ................ Gina Hinojosa
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON . Rylee Montgomery
STUDENT LIAISON ............ Madelyn Cregar
NYOS CHARTER SCHOOL
HADESTOWN
SCHOOL LIAISON ............ Dorothea Zeitler
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ...... Gwen Hanner
STUDENT LIAISON ............... Gwen Hanner
PFLUGERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
SCHOOL LIAISON ................... Grace Bohn
STUDENT LIAISON ........ Kat Pruett-Ponvert
PARENT LIAISON ................ Grace Herrera
ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL
PIPPIN
SCHOOL LIAISON ..................... Brent Irwin
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ..... Julia Chapman
STUDENT LIAISON ................. Anna Nelson
PARENT LIAISON .................... Tilly Crosby
ROUSE HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSIES
SCHOOL LIAISON ................ Cheryl Painter
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .. McKenzie Hecht
STUDENT LIAISON ...... Charlotte Polnaszek
SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL
THE MUSIC MAN
SCHOOL LIAISON ............ Tommie Jackson
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .............. Aven Lee
STUDENT LIAISON ........... Jude McConkey
STONY POINT HIGH SCHOOL
HADESTOWN
SCHOOL LIAISON .................... Erin Barnes
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON . Averie Ritcheson
STUDENT LIAISON . Mai Vasquez Del Mercado
PARENT LIAISON ................... Sherri Fryatt
FREAKY FRIDAY
SCHOOL LIAISON .................. Trevor Wyatt
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .......... Ava Ludwig
STUDENT LIAISON ................ Jen Interiano
PARENT LIAISON . Emisael Medina Centeno
VANDEGRIFT HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
SCHOOL LIAISON ..............Hattie Bergman
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ..... Hadley Rebtoy
STUDENT LIAISON .......... Evelyn Carpenter
PARENT LIAISON .................. Susan Rebtoy
VISTA RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
SCHOOL LIAISON ............. Rhonda Roberts
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ........ Nyla George
STUDENT LIAISON ................ Jack Stratton
PARENT LIAISON ...... Kimberly Huddleston
TOM GLENN HIGH SCHOOL
WEISS HIGH SCHOOL
ALICE BY HEART
SCHOOL LIAISON ................... Alexis Hargy
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ........ Phoenix Fish
STUDENT LIAISON ............... Gilbert Taylor
PARENT LIAISON ............... Laura Gonzales
WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL
FROZEN
SCHOOL LIAISON ............... Brandon Baker
STUDENT LIAISON .................. Andy Dailey
PARENT LIAISON ........... Catherine Jordan
WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
SCHOOL LIAISON .............. George Franco
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON ........ Annie Curtis
STUDENT LIAISON ................... Lucy Brown
PARENT LIAISON ............... Mellissa Hoskin
ZACH PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY
ALICE BY HEART
SCHOOL LIAISON ................. Kristin Burritt
SOCIAL MEDIA LIAISON .. Alexandra Watson
STUDENT LIAISON .............. Ronan Henson
Material from Gypsy and Nice Work If You Can Get It is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com; Material from Alice by Heart, Into the Woods, Newsies, and Pippin is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. www.mtishows.com.
2025 Jimmy Awards—How TPA is Nurturing the Artists of Tomorrow
Through our partnership with the Broadway League, each year two standout students from Austin’s Heller Awards for Young Artists are selected to compete at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards®—known as the Jimmy Awards—in New York City. Last June, Walker Wallace of Round Rock High School and Raegan Gonzales of Weiss High School had the opportunity to compete with 108 other Nominees.
The Jimmys is not only an awards event, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to learn what it takes to build a performing arts career through coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway’s most accomplished professionals. Nurturing homegrown talent and guiding and supporting the next generation of artists is central to Texas Performing Arts’ mission and reflects its dedication to fostering creativity, opportunity, and artistic excellence across the region.
Texas Performing Arts, the home of Broadway in Austin, is now home to The Heller Awards for Young Artists (HAYAs). Tonight, for the first time, the awards ceremony will take place at Bass Concert Hall, where the next two students will be announced to represent Austin at the Jimmys.
Ready to make a difference for the next generation of performers? Contact support@texasperformingarts.org or call 512.232.8567.
Raegan and Walker arrive at The Juilliard School
Support for Austin’s participation in the Jimmy Awards and the HAYAs is provided by H-E-B and H-E-B Tournament of Champions, the Heller Awards for Young Artists Endowment, the Marcia L. Nelson Endowment for High School Musical Theater Awards, Marc and Carolyn Seriff Endowment for High School Musical Theater, and the Heller Awards for Young Artists Executive Producers: Andrew and Mary Ann Heller, the Cipione Family Foundation, Bettye Nowlin, Heather Petkovsek, Marc and Carolyn Seriff, and an anonymous donor.
Raegan Gonzales and Walker Wallace take top honors at the 2025 Heller Awards for Young Artists
Texas Performing Arts Staff
LEADERSHIP
Bob Bursey, Executive & Artistic Director
Bianca Hooi, Executive & Artistic Project Manager
Priscilla Perales, Assistant to the Executive & Artistic Director
PROGRAMMING
Bobby Asher, Director of Programming
Brendan Burke, Programming Manager
ADMINISTRATION
Sean Thorne, Managing Director
Tara Vela, Project Manager
Cameron Weed, Human Resources Manager
Nathan Harper, Facilities Manager
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Kristi Lampi, Director of Business Operations
Leigh Remeny, Business Operations Manager
Basil Montemayor, Business Operations Associate
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Kat Carson, Senior Event Manager
Talia Graves, Event Manager
Alexander Reindl, Event Manager
Mia Spidel, Emerging Arts Professional, Programming & Events
MARKETING & SALES
Dane Munson, Director of Marketing & Sales
Romina Jara, Associate Director, Marketing
Brady Dyer, Associate Director, Communications
Lizzie Choffel Cantu, Design Manager
Erica De Leon, Digital Marketing Manager
Lindsey Sageser, Marketing Associate
Madison Tran, Design & Media Associate
Josh Klotzbach, Group & Student Sales Manager
Twyla Mitchell, Director of Ticketing
Dianne Whitehair, Ticketing Systems Manager
Elizabeth Requenez, Ticketing Services Manager
Alex Baylor, Ticketing Manager
Meredith Delay, Texas Inner Circle Ticket Concierge
Sereniti Patterson, Emerging Arts Professional, Ticketing
DEVELOPMENT
Anna Langdell, Director of Development
Jeannette Thomas, Director of Major Gifts
Amy Burgar, Associate Director, Development
Chelsea Casner, Development Specialist, Major Gifts
Miguel Robles, Development Specialist, Operations
Sara Morales, Development Specialist, Membership and Sponsorship
EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT
Tim Rogers, Director of Education & Engagement
Eric Vera, Education Program Manager
Aubrey Felty, Education & Engagement Program Coordinator
Insha Iqbal, Emerging Arts
Professional, Education & Engagement
PRODUCTION
Blake Addyson, Director of Production
John Lewis, Production Supervisor
Mika O’Dwyer, Production Supervisor
Gianna Woods, Assistant
Production Supervisor
Drew Millay, Audio/Video Supervisor
Bryce Riggle, Assistant Audio/ Video Supervisor
John “Hutch” Hutchinson, Assistant Audio/Video Supervisor
Jeff Grapko, Director of Fabrication & Academic Production
Karen Maness, Associate Director, Fabrication
David Tolin, Project Manager, Fabrication
Jason Huerta, Fabrication
Technical Manager
Scott Bussey, Senior Technical Director
Earnest Mazique, Academic Production Technology Manager
Ashton Bennett Murphy, Properties Manager
Hank Schwemmer, Lead Fabricator
Bridgette Clifford, Scenic Charge Artist
Eliot Haynes, Assistant Audio/ Video Supervisor, Academic Production
Michael Shanks, Assistant
Lighting Supervisor, Academic Production
Leah Austin, Emerging Arts
Professional, Stage Properties
Julia Yelvington, Emerging
Arts Professional, Scenic Art
Texas Performing Arts is also proud to acknowledge the hundreds of part-time and volunteer staff who play a critical role in presenting our annual season of world-class performing arts events to the Austin community.
House Managers
Dina Black
Megan Born
Virginia Bosman
Margaret Byron
Nancy Carrales
Sally Deweber
Sheri Dildy
Janine Dos Remedios
Amy Fuchs
Tony C Garcia
Joshua Hale
Leslie Hawkins
Carlos Hernandez-Heine
Olga Kasma-Carnes
Tamara Klindt
Sharon Kojzarek
Eric Lee
Lara Miller
Adrian Pena
Kimberly Reaves
Student Employees
Charlotte Adair
Juno Adair
Joe Adkins
Justin Aguilar
Andrea Alarcon
Daniela Albert
Cassandra Amaya
Kaleb Aziz
Evelyn Becerra
Madhav Bhat
Valeria Blanco Perez
Juliana Brandao
Audrey Buckley
Jose Calvillo
Hayley Carbajal
Sophia Carter
Heavyn Carter
Eugenio Chapa-Galvan
Lilly Cheesar
Domenica Collaro
Alyssa Conchas
Ava Dasari
Marie Jolie Day
Ava Deviney
Ally Dolley
Griffin Drake
Rebecca Dyer
Amanda Earp
Mariah Espocito
Sarah Jayne Ewing
Eric Fan
Jenny Garcia
Erin Glasscock
Dariela Gonzalez
Mia Guerra
Sarah Hartley
Catherine Heemann
Gabriela Hernandez
Alisa Irvin
Madison Jackson
PJ Jetton
Brooks Johnson
Bindi Kaplan
Riley Knecht
Ariel Lagunas
Dylan Lebensfeld
Codie Lightfoot
Jacqueline Mai
Anapaula Martinez-Borrell
Regina Mendiola
Jessica Reed
Lee Rodgers
Mary Ruiz
Gracie Sanders
Andrea R Stanfill Castro
Debra Thomas
Leah Waheed
Marty Watson
Tonya Woods
Claire Millet
Mirabai Munton
Rachel Norris
Valeria Nunez Estrada
Lily Orozco
Jocelyn Parks
Zoya Patel
Blake Persyn
Haley Prince
Breanna Pruitt
Kenneth Qu
Eric Ramirez
Frederick Richardson
Olivia Ring
Jose Salcido
Zoe Saldana
Val Sandoval-Lopez
Robin Schuler
Erin Simpson
Rain Snyder
Laura Soares
Aaron Sullivan
Nguyen Tang
AnaLee Tinajero
Penny Lou Zimmerman
by
You make this moment possible.
If you’ve ever been a theatre student—or loved one—you know the feeling: the support, the confidence, the joy of finding your people.
The Heller Awards for Young Artists give theatre students across Central Texas a place to belong. And you can be part of it!
We need your support to ensure that this incredible program continues to let them shine today and beyond.
