2026 Blumey Award winners shine a spotlight on high school theater

The winners of the 2026 Blumey Awards were announced Sunday night, recognizing high school theater programs in the Charlotte area.

Why it matters: The winners for Best Actor and Best Actress will head to New York City to compete in the equivalent of the Tony Awards for high school, called the Jimmy Awards, on June 22.

• Plus, the Blumey Awards have produced stars, including Reneé Rapp and Eva Noblezada.

Catch up quick: Harold Garcia (North Lincoln) won Best Actor for his performance as Orpheus in "Hadestown Teen Edition." Anna Jernigan (Carmel Christian) won Best Actress for her portrayal of Ariel Moore in "Footloose."

Here are the rest of the winners:

• Best Musical (Tier 1) | Weddington | "Legally Blonde: The Musical"
• Best Musical (Tier 2) | North Lincoln | "Hadestown"
• Best Supporting Actor | Northwest School of the Arts (NWSA) | Wiley Seago | Basilius | "Head Over Heels"
• Best Supporting Actress | NWSA | Andie Jones | Gynecia | "Head Over Heels"
• Best Featured Performer | Weddington | Alexander Stetson | Dewy/Kyle/Grand Master Chad | "LegallyBlonde"

• Best Direction | North Lincoln | "Hadestown"
• Best Ensemble | Weddington | "Legally Blonde"
• Best Choreography Execution | North Lincoln | "Hadestown"
• Best Student Orchestra | Central Academy of Technology and Arts | "Pippin"
• Best Student Costume Designer | Cox Mill | Abigail Woerner | "Seussical"
• Best Student Set Designer | Catawba Ridge | David Archie | "Mamma Mia!"
• Best Student Stage Manager | NWSA | Spencer Angel | "Head Over Heels"
• Best Student Reporter | Catawba Ridge | Richard Hughes