Riverside Youth Theatre * Awards History
(We have done our best to recreate all the awards given throughout the years. Please e-mail Debbie Wolgemuth at RiversideYouthTheatre@msn.com for corrections or omissions.)
Riverside Youth Theatre recognizes achievement in every musical we perform and is awarded at the cast party. Our highest honor is the Star Award recognizing character and a positive work ethic.
In addition, at least 5 Inland Theatre League judges view each musical and nominate individuals for excellent performances. The Inland Theatre League is a group of over 70 community theatres who send out judges to view plays and musicals. It is our local version of the Tony Awards. You can read more about the Inland Theatre League at their website: www.InlandTheatre.org. Their judging season is January to December, nominations announced in February, awards ceremony held in March at the Landis Performing Arts Center, 4800 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside.
We are also judged by the National Youth Theatre organization. They nominate and recognize performances by youth only. Their judging season is June through May with awards and honorable mentions announced in June/July.
2009
On Broadway Now!
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Rebecca Park
Music Director * Sarah Horn
Star Character Award * Anyssa Navarro
Best Actor * Tevyn Hill
Best Actress * Anyssa Navarro
Best Chorus Member * Megan Keller
Most Ticket Sales * 1. Julia Bray 2. Anyssa Navarro 3. Gabriel Martinez
Mulan Jr.
Producer * Debbie Wolgemuth
Director / Music Director * Aaron Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Bradley Graham
Star Character Award * Candace Jones
Best Actor * Gabriel Martinez as Captain Shang AND Kenson Gomez as Yao
Best Actress * Hannah Wolgemuth as Mulan
Best Chorus Member * Jenna McConnell
Most Ticket Sales * 1. Ray Buelna 2. Gabrielle Brooks 3. Douhan and Gomez families
High School Musical 2
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Maggie McGurn
Music Director * Aaron Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * Whitney Kane
Best Actor * Grant Markin as Oberon T. Fulton AND Aaron Wolgemuth as Ryan Evans
Best Actress * Whitney Kane as Gabriella Montez
Best Chorus Member * Zoe Begg AND Megan Keller Most Improved * Bradley Graham AND Wayne Keller III
Most Ticket Sales * 1. Gabriel Martinez, 2. Bradley Graham & Brittany Breeding, 3. Anyssa Navarro & Jordan/Marina Gomez
2008
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
Aida
Aaron Wolgemuth as Radames, Heather Noriega as Aida, Anyssa Navarro as Nehebka, Rebecca Park as Amneris
Aristocats
Gabby Gonta as Abigail Gabble
Cats
Alissa Rae Salvati as Grizabella, Anyssa Navarro as Rumpleteazer, Bradley Graham as Munkustrap, Brenda Smith for Costume Design, Brennan Renteria as Mr. Mistoffelees, Brittany Breeding as Demeter, Debbie Wolgemuth for Costume Design, Debbie Wolgemuth for Director, Marcus S. Daniel for Choreographer, Matthew Dunn as Mungojerrie, Melanie Robajante as Bombalurina, Melissa Smith as Victoria, Steve Wolgemuth for Music Director.
Aida
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Marcus S. Daniel
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * Jessica Ramirez
Best Actor * Aaron Wolgemuth as Radames
Best Actress * Rebecca Park as Amneris
Best Chorus Member * Bradley Graham
Best Featured Dancer * Anyssa Navarro
Most Ticket Sales * Heather & Cody Noriega,
Aristocats
Producer * Debbie Wolgemuth
Director / Music Director * Aaron Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Robert Lopez
Star Character Award * Torrey Mahall
Best Actor * Jacob Vawter as Thomas O’Malley
Best Actress * Morgan Thrush as Scat Cat
Best Chorus Member * Rachel Grefe
Most Ticket Sales * Ray Buelna, Erin Metz, Jacob & Tristan Knerl
CATS
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Marcus S. Daniel
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Assistant Choreographer * Rebecca Park
Star Character Award * Taylor Mahaffey
Best Actor * TIE * Addison Morse as Old Deuteronomy & Tommy Waddell as Rum Tum Tugger
Best Actress * Alissa Rae Salvati as Grizabella
Best Chorus Member * TIE * MacKenzie Feeken & Melissa Smith
Most Ticket Sales *Anyssa Navarro, Gabriel Martinez, Lauren de la Puente
3rd Annual National Youth Theatre Awards (honorable mention listed; awards listed in red)
Aida
Heather Noriega as Aida
Rebecca Park as Amneris
Ensemble
Seussical the Musical
Hayley Higgins as Mayzie LaBird
Brian Jerz as the Cat in the Hat
Maddison Rickard as the Sour Kangaroo
Aaron Wolgemuth as Radames
Ensemble
Let Heaven and Nature Swing! Brittany Breeding as Featured Soloist
Hannah Wolgemuth as Featured Soloist
2007
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
Broadway Meets the Movies
Kaitlyn Lankford as Featured Performer
Lorena Olivas as Featured Performer
Zach Boggio as Featured Performer
Building a Dream
Daniel Favela as Featured Performer
Lorena Olivas as Featured Performer
High School Musical
Aaron Wolgemuth as Ryan Evans
Brian Jerz as Mr. Darbus
Seussical the Musical
Grahme Meneses as JoJo
Maddison Rickard as the Sour Kangaroo2nd Annual National Youth Theatre Awards (honorable mention listed; awards listed in red)
High School Musical
Sallie Griffin as Sharpay Evans
Brian Jerz as Mr. Darbus
Broadway Meets the Movies
Writer / Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographers * Radames & Stacey Montes, Robert Lopez
Music Directors * Debbie & Steve Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * Nicole West
Best Actor * Zach Boggio
Best Actress * Lorena Olivas
Best Chorus * Katy Mayhew
Most Ticket Sales * ?
High School Musical
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographers * Robert Lopez, Radames & Stacey Montes, Alison Ogilvie, Megan Park, Debbie Wolgemuth
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * Melissa Smith
Best Actor * Brian Jerz as Mr. Darbus
Best Actress * Sallie Griffin as Sharpay Evans
Best Chorus Member * Anthony Pacheco
Most Ticket Sales * Heather Noriega
King of the Jungle
Producer * Debbie Wolgemuth
Director * Ethan Park
Choreographers * Megan Park and Rebecca Park
Music Director * Aaron Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * MacKenzie Feeken
Best Actor * Andrew Musselman as Lester the Monkey
Best Actress * Lauren Soholt as Cassie
Best Chorus Member * Alexandra Holmblad
Most Ticket Sales * Andrew Musselman, Micaiah Brown, Dylinn Abts & Josie Cabrera
Seussical the Musical
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Stephanie Rose
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * Elizabeth Wickham
Best Actor * TIE * Brian Jerz as The Cat in the Hat AND Aaron Wolgemuth as Horton the Elephant
Best Actress * TIE * Brittany Breeding as Gertrude McFuzz AND Hayley Higgins as Mayzie LaBird
Best Chorus Member * Kadie Love
Most Ticket Sales * Hayley Higgins, Brittany Breeding, Brian Jerz
Building a Dream
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Robert Lopez
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Most Ticket Sales * Hayley Higgins, Brittany Breeding, Brian Jerz
Let Heaven and Nature Swing!
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Robert Lopez, Megan Park, Rebecca Park
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * Reagan Seiler
Best Featured Male Performer * Andrew Musselman
Best Featured Female Performer * Kaitlyn Lankford
Best Chorus Member * Reagan Seiler
Most Ticket Sales * Kent Kawahara, Melinda Wasden & Andrew Musselman/Alissa Rae Salvati (tie)
2006
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
101 Dalmatians
Andrea Boggio for Costumes
Ethan Park for Director
Taylor Mahaffey as Cruella DeVil
Godspell
Erin Wiltchik as a Disciple
Gelsey Laurie as Featured Dancer
Footloose
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Markeith Wiley
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Ethan Park
Star Character Award * Samuel Martinez
Best Actor * Aaron Wolgemuth as Willard Hewitt
Best Actress * Marilu Bustamante as Ariel Moore
Best Chorus * Logan Danzek
Most Improved * Lori Lane as Lulu Warnecker
Most Ticket Sales * Marilu Bustamante
Special Guest Stars * Rick Arias as Coach Dunbar, Willie Behrends as Rev. Shaw Moore, Brandon Carlin as Policeman, Darlene Hampson as Eleanor Dunbar, Lori Lane as Lulu Warnecker, Lisa Lyons as Vi Moore, Chris Marker Morse as Wes Warnecker, Radames Montes as Principal Clark, Pati Waddell as Betty Blast, and Debbie Wolgemuth as Ethel McCormack
101 Dalmatians
Executive Producer * Debbie Wolgemuth
Producer / Director * Ethan Park
Choreographers * Megan Park, Rebecca Park
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Star Character Award * Siena Morse
Best Actor * TIE * Wyatt Hendricksen as Roger AND Joshua Park as Jasper
Best Actress * Taylor Mahaffey as Cruella De Vil
Best Chorus * MacKenzie Feeken
Most Improved * Jessica Blasjo
Most Ticket Sales * Kaitlyn Lankford, Haley Barnett, Megan Conrad & Montana/Nikki Hicks
Godspell
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographers * Radames & Stacey Montes
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth, Sarah Horn
Star Character Award * Alexandra Ontiveros
Best Actor * Brad Stephens as Jesus
Best Soloist * Erin Wiltchik as a Disciple (”Day By Day”)
Best Featured Dancer * Gelsey Laurie
Best Parable Storyteller * Tyler Sawers
Most Improved * Anthony Pacheco
Most Ticket Sales * Alexandra Ontiveros, Ethan & Megan Park, Chelsea & Zach Boggio & Chy’anne Smock
2005
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
Guys and Dolls
Alyx Fuhriman as Arvida Abernathy
Ashley Hancock as Miss Adelaide
Caroline Sanchez as Miss Sarah Brown
Casey Williams as Harry the Horse
Debbie Wolgemuth for Producer / Director
Randall Williams for Benny Southstreet
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Aaron Wolgemuth as Twimble / Wally Womper
Britney Anderson as Miss Jones
Debbie Wolgemuth for Costume Coordination
Debbie Wolgemuth for Producer / Director
Debbie Wolgemuth for Scenic Design
Ethan Park as Bud Frump
Jimmy Saiz as J. Pierrepont Finch
Julie Ann Thomazin as Rosemary Pilkington
Megan Kimball as Hedy LaRue
Radames Montes for Choreographer
Stacey Montes for Choreographer
Steve Wolgemuth for Music Director Guys and Dolls
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographers * Jimmy Saiz, Julie Ann Thomazin & Debbie Wolgemuth
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Eric Gonzalez
Star Character Award * Casey Williams
Best Actor * Casey Williams as Harry the Horse
Best Actress * Caroline Sanchez as Miss Sarah Brown
Best Chorus * Jackie Burns AND Samuel Martinez
Most Ticket Sales * Ethan & Megan Park
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Radames & Stacey Montes
Music Director * Steve Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Chelsea Boggio
Star Character Award * Haley Rubin
Best Actor * Jimmy Saiz as J. Pierrepont Finch & Ethan Park as Bud Frump
Best Actress * Julie Ann Thomazin as Rosemary Pilkington
Best Chorus Member * Haley Rubin
Best 60’s Hair * Milly Fitterer & Matthew Koepp
Most Ticket Sales * Megan Kimball
2004
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
Cinderella
Avery de la Rosa as Queen Constantina
Charissa Abigail Hogeland as Cinderella
Debbie Wolgemuth for Producer/Director
Kerry Watson as The Fairy Godmother
Sarah Kranz as the Stepmother
The Music of Modern Broadway
Aaron Wolgemuth as Featured Soloist “For Good” from Wicked
Ashley Barrett as Featured Soloist “Defying Gravity” from Wicked
Cody Noriega as Featured Soloist “When I Get My Name in Lights” from The Boy From Oz
Debbie Wolgemuth for Producer/Director
Katie Williams as Featured Soloist “I Can Hear The Bells” from Hairspray
Steve Wolgemuth for Sound/Music Design
The Sound of Music
Debbie Wolgemuth for Director
Lisa Lyons for Music Director
Sarah Horn as Maria Rainier
Solene LeVan as Fraulein Schweiger
The Music of Modern Broadway
Writer * Debbie Wolgemuth
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Lisa Lyons, Radames & Stacey Montes
Music Director * Lisa Lyons
Star Character Award * Cody Noriega
Best Actor * Cody Noriega as Featured Soloist
Best Actress * Ashley Barrett as Featured Soloist
Best Chorus Member * Renee’ Primmer AND Haley Rubin
Most Ticket Sales * Cody, Heather & Kendra Noriega
Special Guest Star * Radames Montes as Edna Turnblad
Cinderella
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Radames & Stacey Montes
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Michaela Roper
Star Character Award * Sarah Kranz
Best Actor * Jimmy Saiz as The Prince AND Ethan Park as The Herald
Best Actress * Kerry Watson as The Fairy Godmother
Best Chorus * Christabel Roper AND Jessica Saiz
Most Improved * Matthew Koepp as King Maximillian
Most Ticket Sales * Kerry Watson
The Sound of Music
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Stephanie Snodgrass
Music Director * Lisa Lyons
Student Assistant Director * Jessica Saiz
Star Character Award * Ethan Park
Best Actor * Ethan Park as Max Detweiler
Best Actress * Sarah Horn as Maria Rainier
Best Chorus Member * Emma Hines
Most Ticket Sales * ?
Special Guest Stars * Debbie Wolgemuth as Mother Abbess, Sandy Dunlap, Carol Hines, Lois Holma, Julie Wiltchik as Nuns Chorus
2003
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
I Do! I Do!
Stephanie Rose Snodgrass as Agnes
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Debbie Wolgemuth for Director (Founders Award)
Matthew Saunders as Joseph
Radames O. Montes for Choreographer
Sarah Horn as the Narrator (Founders Award)
Stacey Snodgrass for Choreographer
I Do! I Do!
Producer * Debbie Wolgemuth
Directors * Jonathan Fero & Laurie Hubbard (Our first student directed production!)
Choreographer * Bree Fero, Stephanie Rose Snodgrass
Best Actor * Daniel Favela as Michael
Best Actress * Stephanie Rose Snodgrass as Agnes
Acorns to Oaks
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographers * Allyson Sawyer & Debbie Wolgemuth
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Alyssa Co
Star Character Award * Megan Park
Best Actor * Bryce Vails as Alfred
Best Actress * Mikenzie Denholtz as Meg
Best Chorus * Christabel Roper
Most Improved * Van Baum
Most Ticket Sales * ?
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Radames & Stacey Montes
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Directors * Laurie Hubbard & Stephanie Wallace
Star Character Award * ?
Best Actor * Aaron Wolgemuth as Simeon
Best Actress * Sarah Kranz as Potipher’s Wife
Best Chorus * Christabel Roper
Special Guest Star * Pastor Randy Bernard as Jacob
2002
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
Annie Jr.
Samantha Farmer as Annie (Founders Award)
Sarah LeVan as Molly
Tami Francis as Lily St. Regis
Debbie Wolgemuth for Director
Babes in Arms
Daniel Favela as Gus Fielding
Tami Francis as Dolores Reynolds
Stephanie Rose Snodgrass as Billie Smith
Debbie Wolgemuth for Director
For All in the Horizon
Writer / Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographers * Allyson Sawyer, Stephanie Snodgrass
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Laurie Hubbard
Star Character Award * Stephanie Rose Snodgrass
Best Actor * Daniel Favela as Joshua
Best Actress * Stephanie Rose Snodgrass as Rahab
Best Chorus * Elizabeth Hicks
Most Improved * Ethan Park as Caleb
Annie Jr.
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Allyson Sawyer
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Stephanie Rose Snodgrass
Star Character Award * Alex Stern
Best Actor * Daniel Favela as Daddy Warbucks AND Zacharie Boggio as Bert Healy
Best Actress * Samantha Farmer as Annie
Babes in Arms
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Angie Quiroz
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Laurie Hubbard
Star Character Award * Sarah Logsdon AND Matthew Strong
Best Actor * Daniel Favela as Gus Fielding
Best Actress * Tami Francis as Dolores Reynolds AND Stephanie Rose Snodgrass as Billie Smith
Most Improved * Jonathan Fero as Valentine LaMar
Jailhouse Rock
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Karen Shelton, Debbie Wolgemuth
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Karen Shelton
Star Character Award * Torri Vitale
Best Actor * Alison Ogilvie as Crystal
Special Guest Star * Debbie Place as the Camp Director
2001
Inland Theatre League Awards (nominations listed; awards listed in red)
Bye Bye Birdie
Mike Eastman as Harry MacAfee
Stephanie Rose Snodgrass as Kim MacAfee
Kerry Watson as Rose Alvarez
Debbie Wolgemuth for Director
Star Journey
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Karen Shelton, Debbie Wolgemuth
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Karen Shelton
Star Character Award * Heather Strong
Special Star Award * Beverly, Glenn, Jessica, Karen & Scott Shelton for years of faithful volunteering backstage!!!
Best Actor * Joshua Chandra as Polaris
Rumors
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Avery de la Rosa
Star Character Award * Laurie Hubbard AND Sarah Logsdon
Best Actor * Jonathan Fero as Ken Gorman (Cast 1) AND Eric Gonzalez as Lenny Ganz (Cast 2)
Best Actress * Sarah Kranz as Chris Gorman (Cast 1) AND Renee’ Primmer as Chris Gorman (Cast 2)
Most Improved * Mark Westfall as Glenn Cooper AND Erin Wiltchik as Cassie Cooper
Bye Bye Birdie
Producer / Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Choreographer * Cid Le Duc
Music Director * Debbie Wolgemuth
Student Assistant Director * Danielle Raher
Star Character Award * ?
Best Actor * ?
Best Actress * ?
Special Guest Stars * Cid Le Duc as Mae Peterson; Del Ballard, Kevin Dunlap, Dennis W. Fuller as the Salesman Trio; Donna Cissna, Bob & Lucy Jack, Vernice Ray, David Snodgrass as the Parents.