Valley schools nominated for Gene Kelly Awards

Elizabeth Forward, McKeesport Area and Thomas Jefferson received nominations.

By the MVI

Pittsburgh CLO announced the nominees for the 35th Annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater, which will be held 7:30 p.m. May 23 at the Benedum Center.

“The Gene Kelly Awards are a life-changing educational experience for students,” said Jim Scriven, director of education at Pittsburgh CLO. “They offer the opportunity to perform on a world-class stage, celebrate the excellence of peers, and connect to a national network of emerging artists. It’s so much more than awards—it’s about access, inspiration, and pure musical theater joy.”

Nominees have been recognized in categories including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Actor & Actress, Design, and Technical Execution, Vocal and Dance Ensembles, and Student Orchestra.

The winners for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress will go on to represent Pittsburgh CLO at the Jimmy Awards, held June 22 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theater in New York City.

Several cash and university scholarships will be presented made possible through generous donations Over the past three months, a panel of adjudicators – including educators, administrators, and industry professionals – attended performances at 37 high schools across Allegheny County.

Final scoring was tabulated by Deloitte LLP, official auditor of the Gene Kelly Awards.

Schools participating in the 2026 Gene Kelly Awards were: Avonworth High School, Baldwin High School, Bishop Canevin High School, Carlynton Jr./ Sr. High School, Central & Oakland Catholic High School, Chartiers Valley High School, Cornell School District, Deer Lakes High School, Eden Christian Academy, Elizabeth Forward High School, Gateway High School, Hampton High School, Keystone Oaks High School, McKeesport Area High School, Montour High School, North Hills High School, Northgate High School, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Penn Hills High School, Pine-Richland High School, Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, Plum Senior High School, Quaker Valley High School, Redeemer Lutheran School, Riverview Jr./Sr. High School, Saint Joseph High School, Serra Catholic High School, Seton LaSallle Catholic High School, Sewickley Academy, Shady Side Academy Senior School, Springdale Jr./Sr. High School, Steel Valley Senior High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, West Allegheny High School, Westinghouse Arts Academy, and Woodland Hills High School.

The local school district nominees for the 2026 Gene Kelly Awards are:
Elizabeth Forward High School

EF’s Emerson Henry is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress.

Elizabeth Forward is nominated for the following awards in the Budget Level III category for “The Prince of Egypt”: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Dance Ensemble, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Vocal Ensemble.

In addition, the following students were nominated:

• Spencer Callaghan, student director for Outstanding Student Artist.

• Emerson Henry as Miriam, for Outstanding Supporting Actress.

McKeesport Area High School

EF’s Spencer Callaghan is nominated for Outstanding Student Artist.

McKeesport Area School District is nominated for the following awards in the Budget Level II category for “Fiddler on the Roof:” Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Crew/Technical Execution, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Vocal Ensemble.

In addition, the following students were nominated:

• Anastasia Bakaturski, Golde, for Outstanding Student Artist.

• Lucas Sotereanos as Motel for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

• Michael Pfeffercorn as Tevye for Outstanding Actor.

Thomas Jefferson High School

Thomas Jefferson High School was nominated for the following awards in the Budget Level IV category for “9 to 5”: Outstanding Crew/Technical Execution, Outstanding Scenic Design; Outstanding Student Orchestra.

Also nominated:

• Andrew Horvath, student sound technician; lead student carpenter, for Outstanding Student Artist.