05/24/2026
Pittsburgh, PA • May 23, 2026 – An enthusiastic sold-out crowd filled the Benedum Center as Pittsburgh CLO celebrated Allegheny County’s finest high school musical theater performers at the 35th Annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Established in 1991, and named for legendary performer and Pittsburgh native Gene Kelly, the awards celebrate the extraordinary talent, creativity, and collaboration taking place on high school stages throughout Allegheny County each year.
The event featured live performances from eight schools nominated for Outstanding Musical and highlighted 12 student finalists nominated for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress. Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly, was a special guest presenter, bringing an even deeper connection to the ceremony’s namesake.
The Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater does more than honor performance, they elevate the role of arts education and provide opportunities for growth, leadership, and lifelong confidence. Through the discipline of rehearsals and the teamwork required on and off stage, students gain skills that translate directly to college, careers, and leadership roles in any field. These experiences foster communication, adaptability, and a strong work ethic – all qualities that prepare students for success far beyond graduation.
"What makes the Gene Kelly Awards so special isn’t just the talent, it’s the teamwork and support these students show for one another," said Jim Scriven, Director of Education at Pittsburgh CLO. "Whether they’re on stage, backstage, or cheering from the audience, they are building a community rooted in creativity, respect, and shared passion."
Pittsburgh CLO's Gene Kelly Awards presented over $70,000 in scholarships, including the following college-bound seniors:
Point Park University presented Theodor Mertz & Oliver Moore with a scholarship renewable for four years, to attend Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts.
Seton Hill University presented Anya Bakaturski with scholarships to attend Seton Hill University.
Slippery Rock University presented Madison Williams-Powell with a scholarship to attend Slippery Rock University.
Gene Kelly Cash Scholarships were awarded to three high school seniors who have applied and were accepted to a school for the performing or technical arts: Mariana Mangual, Eamonn McElfresh, & Linnea Polen.
The Pittsburgh CLO Ambassadors awarded scholarships to college-bound students who will be pursuing a major outside of the arts: Ashlyn Casale, Zoe Kaczmarek, Ava Isasky, Autumn Miller, & Isaac Reitzell.
The Charles Gray Award for Special Achievement in Arts Education was presented to St. Benedict the Moor School in recognition of its arts education program. The school has made an enduring commitment to use the arts as a way to build community, develop empathy, and promote leadership skills. The school was presented with an award and a cash prize.
Now in its 23rd year, The Kelly Critics program is a joint partnership between Pittsburgh CLO, Dr. Christopher Rawson, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Katelynn Burger from Baldwin High School was presented with the Christopher Rawson Kelly Critics Award and a cash prize.
The judging panel, comprised of performing arts educators, arts administrators, entertainment professionals, and performers have spent the past three months attending performances at the following Allegheny County Schools: Avonworth High School, Baldwin High School, Bishop Canevin High School, Carlynton Jr./Sr. High School, Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools, 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 Recipients of the 2026 Gene Kelly Awards are:
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Budget Level I
Saint Joseph High School – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Budget Level II
Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools – The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III
Penn Hills High School – Once on this Island
Budget Level IV
Riverview Jr./Sr. High School – The Addams Family Musical
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING CREW/TECHNICAL EX*****ON
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II
Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools – The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III
Shady Side Academy Senior School – Anything Goes (2022 Revision)
Budget Level IV
Pine-Richland High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING DANCE ENSEMBLE
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II
Plum Senior High School – Seussical
Budget Level III
Elizabeth Forward High School – The Prince of Egypt
Budget Level IV
Pine-Richland High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II
Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools – The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III
North Hills High School – Mamma Mia!
Budget Level IV
Pine-Richland High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II
McKeesport Area High School – Fiddler on the Roof
Budget Level III
Shady Side Academy Senior School – Anything Goes (2022 Revision)
Budget Level IV
Thomas Jefferson High School – 9 to 5
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II
Plum Senior High School – Seussical
Budget Level III
Elizabeth Forward High School – The Prince of Egypt
Budget Level IV
Pine-Richland High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING STUDENT ORCHESTRA
Pine-Richland High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING STUDENT ARTIST
Andrew Horvath
Student Sound Technician; Lead Student Carpenter
Thomas Jefferson High School – 9 to 5
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
Sonny Davis
"Igor" – Young Frankenstein
Woodland Hills High School
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Livia Rocco
"Elizabeth Benning" - Young Frankenstein
Woodland Hills High School
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING ACTOR
Paxon Masters
"The Phantom" - The Phantom of the Opera
Avonworth High School
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS
Loren Prisuta
"Velma Kelly" - Chicago: Teen Edition
Pine-Richland High School
• • • • • •
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL
Budget Level I
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II
Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools – The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III
Elizabeth Forward High School – The Prince of Egypt
Budget Level IV
Pine-Richland High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
The winners for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress will represent Pittsburgh CLO’s Gene Kelly Awards in the Jimmy Awards® National High School Musical Theatre Awards® in New York City on Monday, June 22. For more information on the Jimmy Awards, please visit http://www.jimmyawards.com.
The scholarships presented were made possible through generous donations from the CLO Ambassadors, Seton Hill University, Point Park University Conservatory, and Slippery Rock University.
The Gene Kelly Awards are made possible by the Allegheny Regional Asset District, Deloitte, Delta Air Lines, The Gismondi Family Foundation, Point Park University, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, PNC Bank, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and the CLO Ambassadors. Deloitte Consulting, LLP is the official auditor for the Gene Kelly Awards.
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About Pittsburgh CLO
Pittsburgh CLO (PCLO) has been a driving force behind preserving, creating, and promoting live musical theatre since 1946. As one of the largest regional musical theater organizations in the country, it is fortunate for the yearly support of nearly 200,000 audience members. In addition to producing fresh new productions of Broadway classics, the not-for-profit’s mission is to develop new works and highlight emerging talent and has been credited with launching the careers of numerous artists such as Billy Porter, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Rob Marshall, Kathleen Marshall, Rob Ashford, Bernadette Peters, and Shirley Jones. The organization’s dedication to musical theater extends beyond its Summer Season at the Benedum Center to programming at the 200-seat Greer Cabaret Theater, which saw the world premieres of THE PERFECT MATE by Dan Lipton and David Rossmer and the premiere of a reimagined production of Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN in 2024. Its extensive education efforts include the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater, a university internship program, New Horizons, and in-school programs Gallery of Heroes and Creative Vision. Other ongoing initiatives include the Construction Center for the Arts, and the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. The organization also founded the National High School Musical Theatre Awards/ Jimmy Awards®. To further its mission to grow the art form, Pittsburgh CLO has been involved with 31 Broadway shows (32 Tony Awards®), and in 2014, produced the world premiere of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in Paris, then on Broadway, where it won 4 Tony Awards®, and in London, Tokyo, Pittsburgh and throughout the U.S. and Europe. Pittsburgh CLO is the subject of a film starring Jeff Goldblum titled "Pittsburgh." For more information, PITTSBURGHCLO.org
About the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater
Founded in 1989, the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theatre provides the highest level of training in music, dance, and acting to students of all ages and skill levels. Located in downtown Pittsburgh, the Academy serves as a vital extension of Pittsburgh CLO’s mission to develop the next generation of musical theater artists. With a faculty of experienced professionals, a curriculum rooted in Broadway technique, and opportunities for real-world performance, the Academy prepares students for both collegiate programs and professional careers. The Academy also offers private instruction, summer camps, workshops, and the renowned New Horizons program, providing inclusive arts education to individuals with disabilities. Many alumni have gone on to appear on Broadway, in national tours, film, and television.
About the Gene Kelly Awards
Established in 1991 by Pittsburgh CLO, the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement in musical theater among high schools across Allegheny County. Named for Pittsburgh native and legendary performer Gene Kelly, the awards encourage artistry, professionalism, and collaboration among students and educators. The first program of its kind in the nation, the Gene Kelly Awards, has become a model for over 50 regional programs across the country and served as the inspiration for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (The Jimmy Awards®). Through adjudication by a panel of industry professionals and a culminating performance at the Benedum Center, the program supports arts education and showcases the region’s rising talent. Winners of the Outstanding Actor and Actress categories advance to represent the region on Broadway at the Jimmy Awards® each summer.
