Starlight Blue Star Awards

Starlight Blue Star Awards

Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, Starlight’s annual Blue Star Awards recognize achievement and excellence in musical theatre among Kansas City area high school students.

Established in 2003, the program is one of the largest and most admired high school musical theatre awards programs in the nation. All high schools in metropolitan Kansas City and selected outlying communities are invited to participate. Each year the program serves 5,000 area students who contribute either on the stage or behind the scenes to their schools’ musical theatre productions.

Adjudicators, who are theatre professionals, performing artists, designers and theatre arts educators, attend each participating school’s musical and provide evaluations and commentary to Starlight’s Community Engagement Department. Their comments are also compiled and shared with each school’s theatre teacher and students.

Each year, the program culminates with the red-carpet Blue Star Awards Ceremony on the Starlight stage.


2025 Blue Star Awards Ceremony | TBA | Starlight Theatre


YearShowNomination CategoryCompany/Individual
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Overall ProductionCast, Crew, Musicians and Production Team
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Performer in a Supporting Role – Damian HubbardMac Carlson
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Performer in a Lead Role – Cady HeronLilly Carter
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Performer in a Featured Role – Kevin GIvan Brewer
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Hair and Makeup DesignMakeup Crew
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Technical Crew – Lighting CrewLighting Crew
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Technical Crew – Set CrewSet Crew
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding OrchestraOrchestra
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding EnsembleEnsemble Cast
2024Mean GirlsOutstanding Costume DesignProduction Team
2024Mean GirlsSophomore Rising Star ScholarshipLilly Carter
2024Mean GirlsCeremony EnsembleLilly Carter, Mac Carlson
2023Mary PoppinsOutstanding Technical Crew – Costume CrewProduction Team
2023Mary PoppinsOutstanding Scenic Design: Tier IIProduction Team
2023Mary PoppinsOutstanding Costume Design: Tier IProduction Team
2023Mary PoppinsOutstanding Actor in a Lead Role – BertSkylar Kline
2022Mamma MiaOutstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier IIProduction Team
2022Mamma MiaOutstanding Actress in a Featured Role – AliEstelle May
2020Bye Bye BirdieOutstanding Design & Construction, Tier IIProduction Team
2020Bye Bye BirdieRising Star ScholarshipCarlos Gomez
2019The Drowsy ChaperoneOutstanding Costume Design & Construction Tier II
Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II
Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design
Production Team
2018Anything GoesOutstanding Artistic Contribution by a Student – ChoreographySydney VanDyke, Emily Lower, Lexie Bryson
2018Anything GoesOutstanding Female Ensemble Member – Vivian the BartenderAlison Ledford
2018Anything GoesOutstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Reno SweeneySydney Vandyke
2018Anything GoesOutstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II
Outstanding Costume Design & Construction, Tier II
Production Team
2017Big FishOutstanding Overall ProductionProduction Team
2017Big FishOutstanding Actor in a Lead Role – Edward BloomJoey Myers
2017Big FishOutstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Sandra BloomSydney VanDyke
2015How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingOutstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier IIProduction Team
2015How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingOutstanding Actor in a Featured Role – Mr. TwimbleWilliam Gentry
2014Kiss Me, KateOutstanding Scenic Design & Construction Tier II
Outstanding Technical Crew – Deck/Set Crew
Production Team
2013The CocoanutsOutstanding Artistic Contribution by a StudentSarah Bronson
2013The CocoanutsOutstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier IProduction Team
2013Thoroughly Modern MillieOutstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Millie DillmountAnna Brockman
2013Thoroughly Modern MillieOutstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II
Outstanding Lighting Design
Production Team
2012Les MiserablesOutstanding Costume Design, Tier I
Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II
Outstanding Lighting Design
Production Team
2011Into the WoodsOutstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Costume Design, Tier II
Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II
Outstanding Lighting Design
Production Team
2010Annie Get Your GunOutstanding Actress in a Featured Role – Dolly TateNatalie Gay
2010Annie Get Your GunOutstanding Male Ensemble Member – Cowboy Trio Member / DancerTyler Heckman
2009The King and IOutstanding Scenic Design, Tier II
Outstanding Costume Design
Outstanding Group Ensemble – Uncle Thomas Ensemble
Production Team
2009The King and IOutstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Anna LeonowensHannah DePriest
2009The King and IOutstanding Ensemble Member | Eliza/Principle DancerAlicia Fee
2008Crazy For YouOutstanding Choreography & Staging
Outstanding Technical Crew – Set Crew
Production Team
2008Crazy For YouOutstanding Actor in a Leading Role – Bobby ChildKurt Hellerich
2008Crazy For YouOutstanding Character Performance – PatsyChelsey Tighe
2007BrigadoonOutstanding Overall Production
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II
Outstanding Technical Crew – Set Crew
Outstanding Lobby Design
Production Team
2007BrigadoonOutstanding Actress in a Supporting Role – Meg BrockieDansare Lawrence
2006The Sound of MusicOutstanding Scenic Design, Tier II
Outstanding Costume Design
Production Team