Theatre Under the Stars
2024 tommy tune award finalists
HOUSTON โ Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) announced the finalists for the 2024 Tommy Tune Awards today and the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Tommy Tune Awards!
The 2024 Tommy Tune Awards will be held on March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for the event will go on sale to the public March 11, and will be available for purchase through TUTS.com, by phone at 713-558-8887 or by visiting the TUTS Box Office at 800 Bagby.
โWe are thrilled to celebrate the 20th Tommy Tune Awards. The pandemic threw off our years a bit, but we canโt wait to come together and celebrate this program that has given so many students the opportunity to share their creative accomplishments with the Greater Houston community,โ said Jacob Shideler, TUTS Director of Education.
The power of education, artistry and community comes together at the Tommy Tune Awards where students from across the Greater Houston community have the opportunity to share their artistry with one another. After evaluating the 62 participating Houston-area high school productions throughout the 2023-2024 school year, a team of 40+ Houston-based theatre professionals nominated students in 18 award categories.
The finalists for the 2024 Tommy Tune Awards are:
Outstanding Musical Finalists:
G.W. Carver High School โ The Bodyguard
Bridgeland High School โ Follies
Kinder HSPVA โ After Midnight / The Prom
Pasadena Memorial High School โ Disneyโs Newsies
Ridge Point High School โ Mamma Mia!
Stratford High School โ 42nd Street
The Kinkaid School โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella
Outstanding Ensemble Finalists:
Dulles High School โ SIX: Teen Edition
G.W. Carver High School โ The Bodyguard
South Houston High School โ The Wizard of Oz
Kinder HSPVA โ After Midnight
Klein High School โ Mamma Mia!
Pasadena Memorial High School โ Disney’s Newsies
Stratford High School โ 42nd Street
The Kinkaid School โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella
Outstanding Technical Achievement Finalists:
G.W. Carver High School โ The Bodyguard
Houston Christian High School โ Youโre a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Ridge Point High School โ Mamma Mia!
Alvin High School โ Little Shop of Horrors
Kinder HSPVA โ After Midnight
Klein Oak High School โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition
Montgomery High School โ Matilda, The Musical
Second Baptist School โ Disneyโs The Little Mermaid
Outstanding Orchestra Finalists:
Klein Cain High School โ The Wizard of Oz
Patricia E. Paetow High School โ Pippin
Kinder HSPVA โ After Midnight
Klein High School โ Mamma Mia!
Klein Oak High School โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition
Obra D. Tompkins High School โ Tuck Everlasting
Outstanding Director Finalists:
Janet Sharpley โ The Wizard of Oz โ South Houston High School
Robin Welch โ Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Adam Delka โ Follies โ Bridgeland High School
Darchell Chesser โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition โ Klein Oak High School
Natalie Dommer โ Disneyโs Newsies โ Pasadena Memorial High School
Mark Stonebarger โ Matilda, The Musical โ Clear Springs High School
Scott Lambert โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Tina Lee Domino โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Outstanding Music Director Finalists:
Crysty Cruz and Taylor Surrat โ Chicago Teen Edition โ C.E. King High School
Blaine Cowen โ The Wizard of Oz โ South Houston High School
Dr. Bobby Linhart, Brian Minson, Elizabeth Shurtz, and Jeanine Rowan โ Les Misรฉrables School Edition โ Houston Christian High School
Charles Harrison and Alexandra King โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Christian De La Cruz, Kristin Killingsworth and Matthew Porter โ Tuck Everlasting โ Obra D. Tompkins High School
Heather Leal and Daryle Freeman โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition โ Klein Oak High School
Marcy Baker and Tessa Throckmorton โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Rebecca Berger and Sean Stultz โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Outstanding Choreographer Finalists:
Alexia Alla and Marnie Kapich โ Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Denzel Taylor, Brianna McCray Holmes, Kyndal Hutto and Faith Bumper โ The Bodyguard โ G.W. Carver High School
Caitlin Martin, Katherine Mendoza and Lexy Toon โ Disneyโs Newsies โ Cypress Ranch High School
Courtney Jones โ After Midnight โ Kinder HSPVA
Danyale Williams โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Jennifer Bauer-Conley โ Alice By Heart โ The Emery / Weiner School
Julian Nanez โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Outstanding Stage Management Finalists:
Allan Currier โ Youโre A Good Man, Charlie Brown โ Houston Christian High School
Ava Frasher, Abagale Bond, Gage Watzinger โ Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Gracen Chilcote โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
Tatiana Smith, Emanu Caston, Niya Kelly โ The Bodyguard โ G.W. Carver High School
Chayton Reel, Scarlett Kuyn, Henry Patino โ The Addams Family Musical: School Edition โ Klein Oak High School
Kaitlyn Breen โ Disneyโs Newsies โ Pasadena Memorial High School
Kate Diers โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Mason Hernandez, Christian Bishop โ Mamma Mia! โ Langham Creek High School
Ryan Hay โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Outstanding Lighting Design Finalists:
Isabella Escobar โ The Bodyguard โ G.W. Carver High School
Kinsley Roberts โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
Andrew Guzman and Kurt Oian โ Guys and Dolls โ Clear Falls High School
Charlie McMillian โ Zombie Prom โ Clear Lake High School
Elijah Maxey โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Griffin Ferguzon and Caleigh Nickel โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Mark Sell and Ryan Hay โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Travis Horstmann โ After Midnight โ Kinder HSPVA
Outstanding Scenic Design Finalists:
Sarah Tatouh โ Into The Woods โ Kerr High School
Sterling Smith and Jillian Staible โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
Dr. Bobby Linhart, Brian Brown and Kyler Helberg โ Les Misรฉrables โ Houston Christian High School
Bridgeland Theatre Company Technical Department โ Follies โ Bridgeland High School
David Clayton and Sean Eggleston โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Evan Cooley, Kyla Crowell and Darin Garrett โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition โ Klein Oak High School
Kelsie Morris, William Heywood and River Tadlock โ Tuck Everlasting โ Obra D. Tompkins High School
Nicole Morgan โ Matilda, The Musical โ Montgomery High School
Sam Mascheck and Eliran Masti โ After Midnight โ Kinder HSPVA
Outstanding Costume Design Finalists:
Augusta Bermudez and Toriana Smith โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
Samantha Langford โ Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Bridgeland Costume Department โ Follies โ Bridgeland High School
Frankie Miller and Maggie Dickinson โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Kate Mehaffey โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Nicole Morgan and Jennifer Brown โ Matilda The Musical โ Montgomery High School
Outstanding Sound Design Finalists:
Abigail Jimenez โ The Wizard of Oz โ Klein Cain High School
Alayah Davis, John Reyes and Tristan Perez โ Seussical The Musical โ Dickinson High School
Brian Oliveira โ The Prom โ Kinder HSPVA
Grace Abdelnour โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Maddie Wolford โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition โ Klein Oak High School
Outstanding Lead Finalists:
Aiyana Renner as โMrs. Wormwoodโ โ Matilda The Musical โ Montgomery High School
Alexia Alla as โKarenโ โ Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Alyssa Dorsey as โRachel Marronโ โ The Bodyguard โ G.W. Carver High School
Anthony Dominguez as โCharlie Brownโ โ Youโre A Good Man, Charlie Brown โ North Shore Senior High
Aubrey Scarcella as โEmmaโ โ The Prom โ Kinder HSPVA
Cooper Clark as โMariusโ โ Les Misรฉrables School Edition โ Houston Christian High School
Eliran Masti as โBarryโ โ The Prom โ Kinder HSPVA
Evan DeBord as โUncle Festerโ โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition โ Klein Oak High School
Evelyn Burt as โAliceโ โ Alice By Heart โ The Emery / Weiner School
Gracen Barrett as โVelma Kellyโ โ Chicago: Teen Edition โ William B. Travis High School
Haley Griffin as โKatherine Plumberโ โ Disneyโs Newsies โ Cypress Ranch High School
Immanuel Poole as โBilly Flynnโ โ Chicago: Teen Edition โ Westfield High School
Isaiah Jackson as โGomez Addamsโ โ The Addams Family Musical School Edition โ Klein Oak High School
Jayden Rangel as โJack Kellyโ โ Disneyโs Newsies โ Pasadena Memorial High School
Julia Acevedo as โMatildaโ โ Matilda The Musical โ Clear Springs High School
Julia Ellisor as โBelleโ โ Disneyโs Beauty & The Beast โ Clear Creek High School
Julia Frederick as โArielโ โ Disneyโs The Little Mermaid โ Pearland High School
Kate Murray as โCadyโ โ Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Kira Sledge as โDorothy Brockโ โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Knox Wright as โJonny Warnerโ โ Zombie Prom โ Clear Lake High School
Kylan Blacketer as โMr. Wormwoodโ โ Matilda The Musical โ Clear Springs High School
Lily Tondera as โScuttleโ โ Disneyโs The Little Mermaid โ Second Baptist School
Michael Deis as โBilly Lawlorโ โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Natalie Green as โPhyllis Rogers Stoneโ โ Follies โ Bridgeland High School
Nic Schweers as โSebastianโ โ Disneyโs The Little Mermaid โ Second Baptist School
Olivia Garcia as โLittle Red Riding Hoodโ โ Into The Woods โ Kerr High School
Payton Daly as โMarieโ โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Reese McMullen as โCharlotteโ โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Reid Adkison as โBenjamin Stoneโ โ Follies โ Bridgeland High School
Tad Hart as โSonnyโ โ Xanadu โ Kingwood High School
Talia Turlich as โJanisโ โ Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Vonta Ward as โAmos Hartโ โ Chicago: Teen Edition โ C.E. King High School
Outstanding Supporting Lead Finalists:
Alan Rodarmel as โCogsworthโ โ Disneyโs Beauty & The Beast โ Clear Creek High School
Andrew Dybala as โAndy Leeโ โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Angelica Salva as โMaggie Jonesโ โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Anna Kovacik as โMelpomeneโ โ Xanadu โ Kingwood High School
April Acevedo as โMary Sunshineโ โ Chicago: Teen Edition โ Westfield High School
Chloe Smith as โMadame De La Grande Boucheโ โ Disneyโs Beauty & The Beast โ Clear Creek High School
Chris Kositprapa as โSebastianโ โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Christopher Melendez as โLord Farquadโ โ Shrek The Musical โ Spring Woods High School
Cole Griffin as โLewisโ โ Pippin โ Patricia E. Paetow High School
Emma Taylor as โAnnieโ โ 42nd Street โ Stratford High School
Giselle Quintero as โGlindaโ โ The Wizard of Oz โ South Houston High School
Itzarie Amaro as โDragonโ โ Shrek The Musical โ Spring Woods High School
Ivan Davidson as โFrank Farmerโ โ The Bodyguard โ G.W. Carver High School
Jaxon Daniel as โPepperโ โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridger Point High School
Joshua Lewis as โPumbaโ โ Disneyโs The Lion King Jr. โ Hightower High School
Kian Ritchie as โThernardierโ โ Les Misรฉrables School Edition โ Houston Christian High School
Lauryn Palmer as โStormy Weatherโ โ After Midnight โ Kinder HSPVA
Lohrii Nelson as โJuneโ โ Chicago: Teen Edition โ C.E. King High School
Michael Flores as โGeneral Genghis Khan Schmitzโ โ Sesussical The Musical โ Dickinson High School
Nina Le as โLesโ โ Disneyโs Newsies โ Pasadena Memorial High School
Patrick Cashion as โBillโ โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
Pierce Markowitz as โJean-Michelโ โ Rodgers & Hammersteinโs Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Regan Etter as โCalliopeโ โ Xanadu โ Kingwood High School
Ronnit Jain as โJoshโ โ Zombie Prom โ Clear Lake High School
Takera Swain as โNikki Marronโ โ The Bodyguard โ G.W. Carver High School
Tyrese Clark as โTimonโ โ Disneyโs The Lion King Jr. โ Hightower High School
Outstanding Singer Finalists
Aisha Choquette as โMae Tuckโ โ Tuck Everlasting โ Obra D. Tompkins High School
Alexandra Cordova as โRoxie Hartโ โ Chicago: Teen Edition โ C.E. King High School
Amanda Matos DโLacoste as โWinnie Fosterโ โ Tuck Everlasting โ Obra D. Tompkins High School
Annabelle Cody as โCosetteโ โ Les Misรฉrables School Edition โ Houston Christian High School
Andrew Knobbe as โEnjorlasโ โ Les Miserables School Edition โ Houston Christian High School
April Acevedo as โMary Sunshineโ โ Chicago: Teen Edition โ Westfield High School
Avery Humphreys as โMiss Adelaideโ โ Guys and Dolls โ Clear Falls High School
Caroline Jacobson as โDonna Sheridanโ โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Caroline Lane as โUrsulaโ โ Disneyโs The Little Mermaid โ Second Baptist High School
Cassie Santiago as โCatherineโ โ Pippin โ Patricia E. Paetow High School
Chloe Smith as โMadame De La Grande Boucheโ โ Disneyโs Beauty & The Beast โ Clear Creek High School
Comfort Azagidi as โWoman Be Wiseโ โ After Midnight โ Kinder HSPVA
Emma Vogelsang as โThe Witchโ โ Into The Woods โ Memorial High School
Gentry Lumpkin as โDee Deeโ โ The Prom โ Kinder HSPVA
Isabella Allon as โBakerโs Wifeโ โ Into The Woods โ Memorial High School
Isabelle King as “Ella” โ Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella โ The Kinkaid School
Jayla Cork as โCatherine Parrโ โ SIX: Teen Edition โ Dulles High School
Kailey Cavazos as โSophie Sheridanโ โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Kayli Martin as โCatherine Parrโ โ SIX: Teen Edition โ Thomas Randle High School
Kendahl Lemons as โDonna Sheridanโ โ Mamma Mia! โ Langham Creek High School
Kennedy Spies as โOlive Ostrovskyโ โ The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee โ Dickinson High School
Madison Taylor as โSandy Dumbroskiโ โ Grease: High School Edition โ St. Francis Episcopal
Marie Popp as โKiraโ โ Xanadu โ Kingwood High School
Reese McGrenera as โSophieโ โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
TJ Saenz as โHarryโ โ Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
Torin Merchant as โMotormouth Mableโ โ Hairspray โ Angleton High School
Outstanding Actor Finalists:
Andrew Johnson as โHorton The Elephantโ in Suessical The Musical โ Dickinson High School
Aubree Hurst as โAnyaโ in Anastasia โ Jordan High School
Caroline Lane as โUrsulaโ in Disneyโs The Little Mermaid โ Second Baptist High School
Dylan Jones as โDamienโ in Mean Girls High School Edition โ Klein Collins High School
Garrett Smith as โMiss Agatha Trunchbullโ in Matilda the Musical โ Montgomery High School
Jackson Wenzel as โNathan Detriotโ in Guys and Dolls โ Clear Falls High School
Josh Adams as โSkyโ in Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Outstanding Dancer Finalists:
Berlyn Ann Nyondo as โEnsembleโ in Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Camron Lettries as โPrincipal Dancerโ The Bodygaurd โ G.W. CARVER HIGH SCHOOL
Gavin Warfield as โDaybreak Expressโ in After Midnight โ Kinder HSPVA
Giovanni Gonzales as โPrincipal Dancerโ in The Bodygaurd โ G.W. CARVER HIGH SCHOOL
Julian Nanez as โEddieโ in Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Maryam Zaafran as โLead Dancerโ in Aida โ St. Agnes Academy
Outstanding Honorable Mention Finalists:
Avery Elkins as โPattyโ in Youโre a Good Man, Charlie Brown โ Houston Christian High School
Braylon McMorris as โEnsembleโ in Mamma Mia! โ Ridge Point High School
Ella Steinitz as โMatildaโ in Matilda the Musical โ Montgomery High School
Matthew Moland as โPepperโ in Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Trestyn Bartilome-Panes as โJoey Baltimoreโ in Guys and Dolls โ Clear Falls High School
Yair Rivera as โCrutchieโ in Disneyโs Newsies โ Pasadena Memorial High School
2024-2025 Student Reporters*:
Alyssa Jones โ Mamma Mia! โ Klein High School
Ricky Ragazzo โ AIDA โ St. Agnes Academy
*Each year, the Jimmy Awards invites select Student Reporters from participating Regional Awards Programs like the Tommy Tune Awards to cover Jimmy Awards events through social media. The Tommy Tune Awards has adopted the Student Reporter opportunity in an effort to include students who are not eligible to be nominated as performers. This provides a chance to expand TTA connections into other areas of your schools โ e.g. journalism, film, and other related departments. The chosen TTA Student Reporters will be able to work directly with the Tommy Tune Awards Marketing Team to get an insider look at what it takes to cover an awards ceremony, as well as contend for an opportunity to cover the Jimmyโs on June 24.
In addition to these awards, the Tommy Tune Awards Program awards scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to pursue a career in the arts.
The Tommy Tune Awards offers an opportunity for students and educators to share their creative accomplishments while instilling in young people the value of engaging in the performing arts as a lifelong pursuit.
Every year, Houston area High Schools produce a full-length musical in order to compete in 17 categories: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lead, Outstanding Supporting, Outstanding Singer, Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Dancer, Honorable Mention, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Technical Achievement, Outstanding Scenic Designer, Outstanding Costume Designer, Outstanding Lighting Designer, Outstanding Stage Manager, Outstanding Musical Director, Outstanding Orchestra, Outstanding Choreographer, and Outstanding Director.
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, the adjudicators evaluated each participating schoolโs show, focusing on each element of the production. The adjudicating mentors are made up of a group of Houston-based theatre professionals who have backgrounds as performers, designers, directors, choreographers, and musicians; and who have years of experience working in arts education and administration.
The Tommy Tune Awards are named for Broadway legend, Houston native and Lamar High School alumnus Tommy Tune. A performer, director and choreographer with more than 50 years of stage experience, Tune received nine Tony Awards for his work in the following productions: Seesaw, My One and Only, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Nine, Grand Hotel and The Will Rogers Follies. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2003 by President Bush.
Jimmy Awardsโ
Of the 28 Tommy Tune Award nominees for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, two will be selected via a rigorous audition process adjudicated by a panel of industry professionals ultimately winning an opportunity to represent Houston and TUTS at the Jimmy Awardsโ. The National High School Musical Theatre Awardsยฎ (the Jimmy Awardsยฎ) are a national celebration of outstanding student achievement, recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance, and acting performance and elevating the importance of theatre arts education in schools. The Jimmy Awards are presented by The Broadway League Foundation.
Theatre Under The Stars is grateful to our Tommy Tune Awards sponsors HEB and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.