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
| Year | Show | Nomination Category | Company/Individual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Overall Production | Cast, Crew, Musicians and Production Team |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role – Damian Hubbard | Mac Carlson |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Performer in a Lead Role – Cady Heron | Lilly Carter |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Performer in a Featured Role – Kevin G | Ivan Brewer |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Hair and Makeup Design | Makeup Crew |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Technical Crew – Lighting Crew | Lighting Crew |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Technical Crew – Set Crew | Set Crew |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Orchestra | Orchestra |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Ensemble | Ensemble Cast |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Outstanding Costume Design | Production Team |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Sophomore Rising Star Scholarship | Lilly Carter |
| 2024 | Mean Girls | Ceremony Ensemble | Lilly Carter, Mac Carlson |
| 2023 | Mary Poppins | Outstanding Technical Crew – Costume Crew | Production Team |
| 2023 | Mary Poppins | Outstanding Scenic Design: Tier II | Production Team |
| 2023 | Mary Poppins | Outstanding Costume Design: Tier I | Production Team |
| 2023 | Mary Poppins | Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role – Bert | Skylar Kline |
| 2022 | Mamma Mia | Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II | Production Team |
| 2022 | Mamma Mia | Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role – Ali | Estelle May |
| 2020 | Bye Bye Birdie | Outstanding Design & Construction, Tier II | Production Team |
| 2020 | Bye Bye Birdie | Rising Star Scholarship | Carlos Gomez |
| 2019 | The Drowsy Chaperone | Outstanding Costume Design & Construction Tier II Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design | Production Team |
| 2018 | Anything Goes | Outstanding Artistic Contribution by a Student – Choreography | Sydney VanDyke, Emily Lower, Lexie Bryson |
| 2018 | Anything Goes | Outstanding Female Ensemble Member – Vivian the Bartender | Alison Ledford |
| 2018 | Anything Goes | Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Reno Sweeney | Sydney Vandyke |
| 2018 | Anything Goes | Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II Outstanding Costume Design & Construction, Tier II | Production Team |
| 2017 | Big Fish | Outstanding Overall Production | Production Team |
| 2017 | Big Fish | Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role – Edward Bloom | Joey Myers |
| 2017 | Big Fish | Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Sandra Bloom | Sydney VanDyke |
| 2015 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II | Production Team |
| 2015 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role – Mr. Twimble | William Gentry |
| 2014 | Kiss Me, Kate | Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction Tier II Outstanding Technical Crew – Deck/Set Crew | Production Team |
| 2013 | The Cocoanuts | Outstanding Artistic Contribution by a Student | Sarah Bronson |
| 2013 | The Cocoanuts | Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier I | Production Team |
| 2013 | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Millie Dillmount | Anna Brockman |
| 2013 | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Outstanding Scenic Design & Construction, Tier II Outstanding Lighting Design | Production Team |
| 2012 | Les Miserables | Outstanding Costume Design, Tier I Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II Outstanding Lighting Design | Production Team |
| 2011 | Into the Woods | Outstanding Orchestra Outstanding Costume Design, Tier II Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II Outstanding Lighting Design | Production Team |
| 2010 | Annie Get Your Gun | Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role – Dolly Tate | Natalie Gay |
| 2010 | Annie Get Your Gun | Outstanding Male Ensemble Member – Cowboy Trio Member / Dancer | Tyler Heckman |
| 2009 | The King and I | Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II Outstanding Costume Design Outstanding Group Ensemble – Uncle Thomas Ensemble | Production Team |
| 2009 | The King and I | Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Anna Leonowens | Hannah DePriest |
| 2009 | The King and I | Outstanding Ensemble Member | Eliza/Principle Dancer | Alicia Fee |
| 2008 | Crazy For You | Outstanding Choreography & Staging Outstanding Technical Crew – Set Crew | Production Team |
| 2008 | Crazy For You | Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role – Bobby Child | Kurt Hellerich |
| 2008 | Crazy For You | Outstanding Character Performance – Patsy | Chelsey Tighe |
| 2007 | Brigadoon | Outstanding Overall Production Outstanding Choreography Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II Outstanding Technical Crew – Set Crew Outstanding Lobby Design | Production Team |
| 2007 | Brigadoon | Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role – Meg Brockie | Dansare Lawrence |
| 2006 | The Sound of Music | Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier II Outstanding Costume Design | Production Team |
