Lake Michigan College is excited to announce the third annual WAVE Awards, which honor the musical theatre work of high school students and educators throughout Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana.
Loosely designed after Broadway’s famed Tony Awards, the WAVE Awards is meant to recognize, encourage and promote excellence in high school musical theatre.
This annual event also offers students and production staff a valuable educational opportunity through written feedback from highly qualified arts professionals, additional performance opportunities, scholarship opportunities, a sense of belonging and value in the local arts community, and public recognition for a job well done.
The Awards Showcase will be held May 22, 2024.
Winners of the 2023-2024 WAVE Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical
St. Joseph High School Oklahoma! Marcus Roll & Ed Brunner
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical
Hartford High School Mamma Mia! Hailey Cunningham
Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical
New Buffalo High School Willie Wonka Deb Rancatore
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical
Penn High School The Music Man Jenn Wolfe
Outstanding Musical Direction in a Musical
Edwardsburg High School Beauty & The Beast Kyle Rehnlund
Outstanding Orchestra (Band) in a Musical
Concord High School Fiddler on the Roof Nicole Knouse
Outstanding Featured Ensemble in a Musical
Bridgman High School Seussical, Jr. Mayzie La Bird & her Bird Girls
Stevensville Lakeshore High School Newsies! Newsies of New York
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Stevensville Lakeshore High School Les Vivian Rose
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Concord High School Perchick Ed Hernandez
Paw Paw High School Mr. Brunner/Chiron Noah McCrossin
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Edwardsburg High School Belle Tianna Crook
Penn High School Harold Hill Lucas Robertson
Espirt d'Corps Production
New Buffalo High School Willie Wonka
Outstanding Direction in a Musical
Penn High School The Music Man Danielle Black
Outstanding Musical Production
Concord High School Fiddler on the Roof
How It Works
This free recognition program is open to all high schools throughout Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana. Schools interested in participating should complete the WAVE Award Application. The Evaluation Committee, consisting of professional actors, vocal musicians, directors, designers and choreographers will send evaluators to assess each production. Schools will need to provide LMC with 8 tickets to see the production. There is no other entry fee for participation.
Assessments
The purpose of any kind of assessment is to promote personal development and growth. Student performers will receive written feedback from the evaluation team following the show's run. Our evaluators have a rubric of criteria that includes numerical scoring and written commentary in a wide spectrum of technical and artistic components, but, most importantly, are aware of what cannot be assessed. For example, our evaluators cannot assess any of the following intrinsic benefits of theatre:
- A stronger sense of self and an increased level of confidence
- A deeper understanding of the importance of “a team effort”
- An appreciation for and an improved work ethic
- The joyous feeling of accomplishment
- A better understanding of theatre and the arts
- The gift of lifetime memories and deepened friendships made
We extend our appreciation and accolades to those who have given of themselves so that everyone can reap these profound rewards.
Nominations/Awards
Nominations will be announced in categories similar to Broadway’s Tony Awards on April 29th at both an optional gathering for adult production staff and on this website. Join us on May 22 as we will present the WAVE Awards on the Mainstage at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center.
The event will include a red-carpet reception and musical production numbers by the schools nominated for Overall Outstanding Musical. Trophies and scholarships will be given at the awards ceremony. If selected to perform at the WAVE Awards, it is the responsibility of the individual school district to secure licensing for musical numbers from the appropriate performance rights organization.
We are enthusiastic about the ever-growing community of arts advocates and supporters that will contribute to this gala event.
Contact the Producer of the WAVE Awards with questions:
Kristopher Zook, Dean of Arts and Sciences
kzook@lakemichigancollege.edu
(269) 927-6588.
2024 Participating Schools
Please support live theatre in our local schools. We hope you add your production to the list!
Beauty & the Beast - Edwardsburg High School
March 22 & 23 at 7 pm; March 24 at 2 pm
Fiddler on the Roof – Concord High School
Feb 29 at 7 pm, Mar 1 at 7 pm, Mar 3 at 2 pm
The Lightning Thief – Paw Paw High School
Feb 9 at 7 pm, Feb 10 at 7 pm, Feb 11 at 2 pm
Mamma Mia – Hartford High School
Mar 22 at 7 pm, Mar 23 at 7 pm, Mar 24 at 2 pm
The Music Man – Penn High School
Mar 1 at 7 pm, Mar 2 at 7 pm, Mar 3 at 3 pm
Newsies – Lakeshore High School
Mar 8 at 7 pm, Mar 9 at 7 pm, Mar 10 at 2 pm
Oklahoma! – St. Joseph High School
Nov 10 at 7 p.m. & Nov 11 at 2 & 7 p.m.
Oliver! - Dowagiac Union High School
March 8-9 at 7PM, March 10 at 2PM
Seussical, Jr. - Bridgman High School
March 22-23 at 7 pm, March 24 at 3 pm
Willy Wonka – New Buffalo High School
Mar 15 at 7 pm, Mar 16 at 7 pm, Mar 17 at 2 pm
Also, don’t miss the Lake Michigan College Theatre Department production of
The Lightning Thief – Lake Michigan College
Mar 29 & 30 at 7pm, Apr 5 & 6 at 7pm, Apr 7 at 3 pm
Lake Michigan College - Mendel Center -Hanson Theatre
2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022