The Community & Creative Learning Department of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce the nominees and top 8 finalists for Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role for the 2026 Hult High School Musical Theatre Awards (HHSMTA), recognizing exceptional achievement in high school musical theater, recognizing the talent, commitment, and creativity of students, educators, and productions shaping the future of the arts in Oregon and beyond.
This inaugural year, 18 Oregon schools submitted a full-length musical produced during the academic year for consideration. Trained evaluators with industry experience attended each production and evaluated performances using a standardized scoring process and provided written feedback.
“We are thrilled to host Oregon’s first Regional Awards Program of the Jimmy Awards. The Hult High School Musical Theatre Awards celebrates and honors the extraordinary work of students and educators across the state.” Said Jen Cumberworth, Director of Community & Creative Learning. “This program connects young performers to remarkable opportunities, valuable tools, and unforgettable experiences. We are honored to create space for such inspiring young talent and cannot wait to see what the future holds!”
HHSMTA program will serve as a springboard for students pursuing careers in theater, with alums going on to study and work in the industry at the collegiate and professional levels. The program’s Top 2 Outstanding Performers in a Leading Role (aka Oregon’s Jimmy Nominees) will receive a trip to New York City to represent Oregon at the National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. There, they join top student performers from across the country to train, perform and compete in one of the highest honors in high school musical theater.
The 2026 HHSMTA ceremony will take place Tuesday, June 2nd at 7pm in the Silva Hall at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. For updates and additional information, visit
THE 2026 HHSMTA CATEGORIES AND NOMINEES ARE:
Female Identifying Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role
- Sophia Keolker (she/her) as Tanya in Mamma Mia! – Hood River High School
- Violet Lempert (she/her) as Dowager Empress in Anastasia – Lakeridge High School
- Bella Eberle as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia! – McMinnville High School
- Emily Holloway as Vi in Footloose – Sunset High School
- Sarai Howard-Johnson (she/her) as Liz/Reporter in Chicago – Centennial High School
Male Identifying Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role
- Mack Yasui (he/him) as Harry Bright in Mamma Mia!- Hood River Valley High School
- Liam Cuff as Reverend Shaw in Footloose – Sunset High School
- Nick Guldager as Crutchie in Newsies – Sheldon High School
- CJ Jones (they/them) as Davey in Newsies – Sheldon High School
- Miles Edwards-Butler (he/him) as Billy in Chicago – Centennial High School
Outstanding Stage Crew
- Lincoln High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
- Roseburg High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Arts and Communication Magnet Academy – Curtains
- Centennial High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
- Churchill High School – Urinetown
Outstanding Scenic Design
- Hood River Valley High School – Mamma Mia!
- Lincoln High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
- Centennial High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
- South Eugene High School – The Addams Family: School Edition
- Churchill High School – Urinetown
Outstanding Costume Design
- Lincoln High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
- Hillsboro High School – Urinetown
- Sheldon High School – Newsies
- South Eugene High School – The Addams Family: School Edition
- Churchill High School – Urinetown
Outstanding Lighting Design
- Lincoln High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
- Sam Barlow High School – Anything Goes
- Southridge High School – Seussical
- Mountainside High School – Into the Woods
- Centennial High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Group
- Hood River Valley High School – Mamma Mia!
- Lincoln High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
- Roseburg High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Hillsboro High School – Urinetown
- Sheldon High School – Newsies
Outstanding Performance by Orchestra
- Lakeridge High School – Anastasia
- Lincoln High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
- Roseburg High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Sheldon High School – Newsies
- Centennial High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
Outstanding Overall Musical Production
- Lincoln High School – Hadestown: Teen Edition
- Centennial High School – Chicago: Teen Edition
- Roseburg High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Mountainside High School – Into the Woods
- Sheldon High School – Newsies
TOP 8 FINALISTS
Female Identifying Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role
- Sydney Jordan (she/her) as Eurydice in Hadestown: Teen Edition – Lincoln High School
- Gemma Pendergast (she/her) as Persephone in Hadestown: Teen Edition – Lincoln High School
- Aranza Aguirre Reyna (she/her) as Velma Kelly in Chicago: Teen Edition – Centennial High School
- Sydney Therell (she/her) as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family: School Edition – South Eugene High School
Male Identifying Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role
- Caden Tubbs (he/him) as Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia! – Hood River Valley High School
- Charlie Stanford (he/him) as Jack Kelly in the Newsies – Sheldon High School
- Conner Bowen (he/him) as Amos Hart in Chicago: Teen Edition – Centennial High School
- Nate Rosenfeld (he/him) as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family: School Edition – South Eugene High School