NMU Theatre and Dance Alumni & James Awards - NMU Theatre and Dance

NMU Theatre & Dance Circle of Champions
This honor is bestowed upon an individual who has made significant contributions to the enduring success and legacy of the Theatre and Dance program at NMU.
Honoree: Michele Butler (1976)

NMU Theatre & Dance Outstanding Alumni – Hall of Fame
This honor is bestowed upon an NMU Theatre & Dance alum who has developed a sustained and significant career in the entertainment arts industry.
Honoree: Jeffrey Rockey (2002)

NMU Theatre & Dance Outstanding Alumni – Young Alumni
This honor is bestowed upon an NMU Theatre & Dance alum 40 years of age or under who has distinguished themselves through:

• Exceptional accomplishment in professional theatre or dance production
• Exceptional accomplishment in educational or community theatre and dance
• Exceptional accomplishment in an arts-related industry

Honorees:
Jacob Stipe (2019)
Regan McKay (2019)

NMU Theatre & Dance – Rising Stars
This honor is given to an NMU Theatre & Dance alum who has achieved significant early success in the entertainment arts industry and is within 10 years of graduation.

Honoree:
William Squires IV (2024)

Outstanding Featured Dancer in a Production

Nominees:

Don’Tae Mitchell (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Henry Moore (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Xander Martin (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Caydence Sturtevant (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Joshua Bianca (9 to 5)

WINNER: Don’Tae Mitchell (Love Is A Burning Thing)

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Play

Nominees:

Sam McKnight (Ctrl+Alt+Delte)
Logan Newcomb (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Isabella Fontaine (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Georgia Hummell (A Streetcar Named Desire)

WINNER: Isabella Fontaine (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Outstanding Lead in Hair & Makeup Design

Nominees:

Charles Orr (Into the Woods)
Ashely Sonderegger (The Rocky Horror Show)
Charlotte Somerville (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)

WINNER: Ashley Sonderegger (The Rocky Horror Show)

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Musical

Nominees:

Kayleigh Clarke (Into The Woods)
Mark Simons (The Rocky Horror Show)
Liam Fisher (Into The Woods)
Ethan Steele (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Natalie Ramirez (9 to 5)
Sophia Zavala (9 to 5)
Madalyn Hasyn (9 to 5)

WINNER: Mark Simons (The Rocky Horror Show)

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Play

Nominees:

Mena Wylykanowicz (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Elizabeth Planica (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Neel Archis-Manish (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Chiara Diaz (A Streetcar Named Desire)

WINNERS: Elizabeth Planica (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) & Neel Archis-Manish (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Outstanding Lead in Sound Design

Nominees:

Meara Kronsperger (9 to 5)
Val Mycyk (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Asher Smith (The Rocky Horror Show)
Val Mycyk (A Streetcar Named Desire)

WINNER: Val Mycyk (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical

Nominees:

Christopher Davis (Into The Woods)
Mandy Granz (Into The Woods)
Elijah Buterbaugh (The Rocky Horror Show)
Daniel Koncurat (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Sallie Taubitz (9 to 5)

WINNER: Christopher Davis (Into The Woods)

Outstanding Individual Ensemble Performer in a Play or Musical

Nominees:

Miles Nowlin (Into The Woods)
Don’Tae Mitchell (The Rocky Horror Show)
Corban Belle (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Ava Britt (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Audryn Just (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Phillip Smith (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Joshua Bianca (9 to 5)

WINNER: Miles Nowlin (Into The Woods)

Outstanding Lead in Lighting Design

Nominees:

Rachel Martin (Into The Woods)
Peytyn Kier (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Ambrose Meteyer (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Bee Mercer (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Christopher Davis (9 to 5)

WINNER: Ambrose Meteyer (Love Is A Burning Thing)

Outstanding Lead in Scenic Design

Nominees:

Meara Kronsperger (Into The Woods)
Jamie Downing (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Sam Jessen (A Streetcar Named Desire)

WINNER: Sam Jessen (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Outstanding Lead in Costume Design

Nominees:

Zephyrus Choberka (The Rocky Horror Show)
Elise Wilcox (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Chloe Holmes (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Charlotte Somerville (9 to 5)

WINNERS: Zephyrus Choberka (The Rocky Horror Show) & Charlotte Somerville (9 to 5)

Outstanding Lead in Properties or Puppet Design

Nominees:

Laura Hinz (Puppets - Into The Woods)
Charlotte Somerville (Puppets - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Moss Schrock (Properties - A Streetcar Named Desire)

WINNER: Charlotte Somerville (Puppets - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)

Outstanding Tech Crew Member

Nominees:

Dom Parrish (Into The Woods)
Annie Mawson (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Meara Kronsperger (The Rocky Horror Show)
Olivia Mayer (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Pine Stump (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Fen Torenvliet (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Zephyrus Choberka (9 to 5)

WINNER: Fen Torenvliet (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Outstanding Stage Management

Nominees:

Fen Torenvliet (Into The Woods)
Molly Sobiechowski (The Rocky Horror Show)
Ashley Rinehart (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Lachlan Beesley (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Ava Hendrix (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Ally Macias (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Ally Macias (9 to 5)
Molly Sobiechowski (9 to 5)

WINNER: Molly Sobiechowski (9 to 5)

Outstanding Ensemble Dancer in a Production

Nominees:

Don’Tae Mitchell (The Rocky Horror Show)
Ava Britt (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Joshua Bianca (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Sara Neva (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Josie Truckey (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Joshua Bianca (9 to 5)

WINNER: Don’Tae Mitchell (The Rocky Horror Show)

Outstanding Dance Ensemble in a Production

Nominees:

Elves (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Phantoms (The Rocky Horror Show)
Initialize:Loop  (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Eleanor Rigby (Love Is A Burning Thing)
CO-MM-ON (Love Is A Burning Thing)
Cowgirl’s Revenge Ensemble (9 to 5)

WINNER: Initialize:Loop (Love Is A Burning Thing)

Outstanding Student Choreography

Nominees:

Don’Tae Mitchell (The Rocky Horror Show)
Caydence Sturtenvant (Laughing On The Outside, Eleanor Rigby - Love Is A Burning Thing)
Annie Mawson (Assistant Choreographer - Cupid’s Cabaret)

WINNER: Caydence Sturtenvant (Laughing On The Outside, Eleanor Rigby - Love Is A Burning Thing)

Outstanding Assistant in Design Tech

Nominees:

Bee Mercer (Lighting Design - Into The Woods)
Julia Neuman (Lighting Design - Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
Christopher Davis (Scenic Design - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Elise Wilcox (Costume Design - Love Is A Burning Thing)

WINNER: Christopher Davis (Scenic Design - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)