:Program Overview: Overture's Tommy Awards program is an education initiative that recognizes, honors, and encourages excellence in musical theater production among area high school students.
Musicals of participating schools are reviewed by a panel of educators, theater experts, and industry professionals. Based on reviewers' comments and tabulations, productions and individuals receive awards in specific categories at a ceremony held each year at Overture Center in June. The ceremony also features performance and production numbers from award winners in several categories.
Musicals of participating schools are reviewed by a panel of educators, theater experts, and industry professionals. Based on reviewers' comments and tabulations, productions and individuals receive awards in specific categories at a ceremony held each year at Overture Center in June. The ceremony also features performance and production numbers from award winners in several categories.
Did not participate in 2021 or 2024.
2023 Jerry Recipients ~
JosEPH & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Outstanding Ensemble
- Outstanding Sound Design ~ Josh Hill
- Outstanding Supporting Performance Spiro Perra (Reuben)
- Spirit Award Nick Gurda
2023 Jerry Nominations ~
Joseph & THe AMazing Technicolor DreamCOat
- Lead ~ Luke Nemoir Joseph
- Lead ~ Alissa Jackson Narrator
- Lead ~ Joey O’Neill Pharaoh
- Supporting ~ Spiro Perra Reuben
- Supporting ~ Ryan KIttson Judah
- Supporting ~ Thomas Webb Asher
- Outstanding Choreography ~ Joey O’Neill & Sarah Carroll
- Outstanding Scenic Design ~ Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
- Outstanding Lighting Design ~ Mary Kirby & Ryan Kittson
- Outstanding Costume Design ~ Mary Kirby
- Outstanding Sound Design ~ Josh Hill
- Outstanding Ensemble
- Outstanding Overall Design
- Outstanding Musical
2023 Jerry Recipients ~ Rock of Ages
- Outstanding Leading Performance Ryan Kittson (Drew Boley)
- Outstanding Supporting Performance Abby Woodard (Hilda Klineman)
- Outstanding Dance Performance Joey O’Neill (Dennis Dupree)
- Spirit Award Reese O’Reilly
- Outstanding Lighting Design ~ Mary Kirby
2023 Jerry Nomintations ~ Rock of Ages
ROCK of AGES
- Lead ~ Ryan Kittson Drew Boley
- Lead ~ Luke Nemoir Lonny Barnett
- Lead ~ Joey O’Neill Dennis Dupree
- Lead ~ Lauren Jentsch Anita Bath
- Supporting ~ Abby Woodard Hilda Klineman
- Outstanding Choreography ~ Erin Ashenhurst
- Outstanding Scenic Design ~ Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
- Outstanding Lighting Design ~ Mary Kirby
- Outstanding Costume Design ~ Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
- Outstanding Ensemble
2020 Jerry Recipients ~ The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame- Outstanding Musical
2019 Jerry Nominations ~ The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Larsen Seely (Quasimodo)
Aaron Jackson ( Phoebus de Martin)
Jake Ringwall (Claude Frollo)
Emily Wang (Esmeralda)
Outstanding Supporting Performance
Aidan Lindner ( Clopin Trouillefou)
Nivae Clausen (Leah, Florika)
Outstanding Direction: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Musical Direction: Natalie Baertschy Monica Kenstra
Outstanding Choreography: Sara Zavadsky
Outstanding Stage Management: Monica Kenstra & Lianna Knoblauch
Outstanding Scenic Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Lighting Design: Mary Kirby
2019 Jerry Recipients~ RENT ~
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Scenic Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Jerry Spirit Award - Rose Reichert
2019 Jerry Nominations ~ RENT ~
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Jake Sprengel (Roger Davis)
Jake Ringwall (Tom Collins)
Katie Dionne (Mimi Marquez)
Aaron Jackson (Angel Dumott Schunard)
Kennedy Harwood (Joanne Jefferson)
John Kuske (Mark Cohen)
Outstanding Direction: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Stage Management: Kate Martino & Lilly Strade
Outstanding Overall Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Scenic Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Lighting Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Sound Design: Doug Hoeft
2018 Jerry Recipients~ INTO THE WOODS ~
INTO THE WOODS- Outstanding Musical
2018 Jerry Nominations ~ INTO THE WOODS ~
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Larsen Seely (Baker)
Maddie Mainwood (Baker’s Wife)
Jake Ringwall (Jack)
Kendra Kabara (Witch)
Kenzie McKowen (Cinderella)
Kennedy Harwood (Little Red)
Outstanding Supporting Performance:
Katie Dionne (Jack’s Mother)
Aaron Jackson (Cinderella’s Prince)
Katelyn Farebrother (Rapunzel)
Cooper Hawley (Wolf)
Outstanding Direction: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Musical Direction: Natalie Baertschy & Mary Kirby
Outstanding Stage Management: Grace Statdfield
Outstanding Overall Design
Outstanding Scenic Design Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Lighting Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Sound Design: Doug Hoeft
2017 Tommy Recipients~ Sister Act ~
2017 Tommy Nominations~ Sister Act ~
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Outstanding Musical Direction: Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Choreography: Sara Zavadsky
Outstanding Stage Management:
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Sound Design: Nick Winders & Doug Hoeft
Tommy Spirit Award Winner ~ Alecia Hough
Tommy Awards ~ AIDA 2016
AIDA- Outstanding Musical
Tommy Awards ~ Little Shop of Horrors 2016
Tommy Awards ~ Bye Bye Birdie 2015
Les Miserables Outstanding Musical
The Hunchback of Notre Dame- Outstanding Musical
- Mary E. Kirby & Natalie M. Baertschy ~ Directors
- Monica Kenstra & Lianna Knoblauch ~ Stage Manager
- Tommy Spirit Award - Kennedy Harwood
2019 Jerry Nominations ~ The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Larsen Seely (Quasimodo)
Aaron Jackson ( Phoebus de Martin)
Jake Ringwall (Claude Frollo)
Emily Wang (Esmeralda)
Outstanding Supporting Performance
Aidan Lindner ( Clopin Trouillefou)
Nivae Clausen (Leah, Florika)
Outstanding Direction: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Musical Direction: Natalie Baertschy Monica Kenstra
Outstanding Choreography: Sara Zavadsky
Outstanding Stage Management: Monica Kenstra & Lianna Knoblauch
Outstanding Scenic Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Lighting Design: Mary Kirby
2019 Jerry Recipients~ RENT ~
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Scenic Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Jerry Spirit Award - Rose Reichert
2019 Jerry Nominations ~ RENT ~
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Jake Sprengel (Roger Davis)
Jake Ringwall (Tom Collins)
Katie Dionne (Mimi Marquez)
Aaron Jackson (Angel Dumott Schunard)
Kennedy Harwood (Joanne Jefferson)
John Kuske (Mark Cohen)
Outstanding Direction: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Stage Management: Kate Martino & Lilly Strade
Outstanding Overall Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Scenic Design: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Lighting Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Sound Design: Doug Hoeft
2018 Jerry Recipients~ INTO THE WOODS ~
INTO THE WOODS- Outstanding Musical
- Mary E. Kirby & Natalie M. Baertschy ~ Directors
- Doug Hoeft~ Sound Design
- Grace Statfield ~ Stage Manager
- Tommy Spirit Award - Amy Weyers
2018 Jerry Nominations ~ INTO THE WOODS ~
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Larsen Seely (Baker)
Maddie Mainwood (Baker’s Wife)
Jake Ringwall (Jack)
Kendra Kabara (Witch)
Kenzie McKowen (Cinderella)
Kennedy Harwood (Little Red)
Outstanding Supporting Performance:
Katie Dionne (Jack’s Mother)
Aaron Jackson (Cinderella’s Prince)
Katelyn Farebrother (Rapunzel)
Cooper Hawley (Wolf)
Outstanding Direction: Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Musical Direction: Natalie Baertschy & Mary Kirby
Outstanding Stage Management: Grace Statdfield
Outstanding Overall Design
Outstanding Scenic Design Mary Kirby & Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Lighting Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Sound Design: Doug Hoeft
2017 Tommy Recipients~ Sister Act ~
- Outstanding Lead - Erin Ashenhurst (Mother Superior)
- Outstanding Orchestra
- Outstanding Stage Manager - Grace Statdfield
- Outstanding Stage Manager - Madison Ranta
- Outstanding Choreography - Sara Zavadsky
- Tommy Spirit Award - Alecia Hough
2017 Tommy Nominations~ Sister Act ~
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Lead Performance:
- Maddie Teipner (Deloris Van Cartier)
- Erin Ashenhurst (Mother Superior)
- Brendan Sienko (Curtis)
- Grant Schwab (Eddie)
- Katie Dionne (Sister Mary Robert)
- Kenzie McKowen (Sister Mary Patrick)
- Alecia Hough (Sister Mary Lazarus)
- Jake Ringwall (TJ)
- Jordan Forberg (Joey)
- Cooper Hawley (Monsignor O'Hara)
- Maddie Mainwood (Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours)
Outstanding Musical Direction: Natalie Baertschy
Outstanding Choreography: Sara Zavadsky
Outstanding Stage Management:
- Grace Statdfield
- Madison Ranta
Outstanding Costume Design: Mary Kirby
Outstanding Sound Design: Nick Winders & Doug Hoeft
Tommy Spirit Award Winner ~ Alecia Hough
Tommy Awards ~ AIDA 2016
AIDA- Outstanding Musical
- Mary E. Kirby & Natalie M. Baertschy ~ Directors
- Sara Zavadsky ~ Choreography
- Chad Abramowski ~ Scenic Design
- Nick Winders & Doug Hoeft ~ Sound Design
- Maria Butscher ~ Stage Manager
- Tommy Spirit Award - Emma Freichels
Tommy Awards ~ Little Shop of Horrors 2016
- Outstanding Ensemble
- Outstanding Leading Performance ~ Jordan Forberg (Seymour)
- Outstanding Supporting Performance ~ Drew Spadaro (Voice of Audrey II)
- Outstanding Supporting Performance ~ Brendan Sienko (Mr. Mushnik)
- Outstanding Supporting Performance ~ Tyler Behm (Orin Scrivello)
- Outstanding Stage Management ~ Maddie Mainwood
- Tommy Spirit Award - Tyler Behm
Tommy Awards ~ Bye Bye Birdie 2015
- Outstanding Lead Performer – Nick Shinners (Albert Peterson)
- Outstanding Supporting Performers
- Emily Farebrother (Mrs. Doris MacAfee)
- Mel Wing (Mae Peterson)
- Tommy Spirit Award – Rachel Evans
Les Miserables Outstanding Musical
- Outstanding Lead Performers
- Samantha Kent (Cosette)
- Zach Olson (Marius)
- Ross Spadaro (Jean Valjean)
- Drew Spadaro (Javert)
- Maddie Teipner (Eponine)
- Tommy Spirit Award – Natalie Gagliano
- Director – Mary Kirby
- Music Director – Natalie M. Baertschy
- Costume Design – Katie Doerner
- Stage Manager – Natalie Gagliano
- Outstanding Stage Management – Elizabeth Schopeke
- Outstanding Technical Achievement - lighting design, costumes, set design, props, and technical direction
- Outstanding Orchestra
- Outstanding Supporting Performer - Billy Krager as Motel, the Tailor
- Outstanding Leading Performer - Tim Ohlert as Tevye
