By SHARON EBERSON
A dazzling array of young performers were on display at the 35th Gene Kelly Awards on Saturday night, in a showcase that was as entertaining as it was earsplitting — the audience decibel level resembles a devoted hometown stadium crowd, within the confines of the Benedum Center.
The Kellys are patterned after the Tony Awards, while honoring excellence in high school musical theater in Allegheny County. Group awards are presented in four budget categories, with the Outstanding Musical winners in 2026, announced by Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly. Taking top honors were Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School’s Hadestown: Teen Edition (Budget Level 1), Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools’s The Addams Family (Level II), Elizabeth Forward High School’s The Prince of Egypt (Level III), and Pine-Richland High School’s Chicago: Teen Edition (Level IV).
All of those schools figured prominently throughout the night, as awards were presented in four budget categories.
Top honors for actress and actor went to Paxon Masters, who played the title role in The Phantom of the Opera for Avonworth High School, and Loren Prisuta, Pine-Richland High School’s Velma Kelly in Chicago: Teen Edition. (Scroll down for a full list of winners.)
of 37 participating schools in Allegheny County. (Image courtesy of Pittsburgh CLO)
They will represent the Gene Kelly Awards at the Jimmy Awards on June 22, 2026, in New York. The national competition was founded by Pittsburgh CLO, which was a pioneer in awarding achievement in high school musical theater.
The Kelly Awards on May 23, 2026, featured live performances from eight schools nominated for Outstanding Musical, and showcased the 12 student finalists nominated for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress in musical numbers.
“What makes the Gene Kelly Awards so special isn’t just the talent, it’s the teamwork and support these students show for one another,” said Jim Scriven, Director of Education at Pittsburgh CLO. “Whether they’re on stage, backstage, or cheering from the audience, they are building a community rooted in creativity, respect, and shared passion.”
Executive Producer Mark Fleischer noted that this would be his last Kellys, as he is moving to a new position in Tennessee after 12 years leading PCLO. The event also marked the last time the Kellys will be administered by founder Pittsburgh CLO, in its current incarnation.
Representing 37 Allegheyn County schools this year, the awards are a showcase where students “continue to learn, grow and shine through this uniquely American art form,” Fleischer told the packed house of young theater-makers, their friends and families, volunteers and educators. “I entrust this responsibility now to you. Please, keep this vital program alive and growing for future generations in Allegheny County.”
Fleischer also recognized the contributions of longtime Pittsburgh CLO supporter Dolores Kara, who loved Kelly Awards night. Ms. Kara died on September 24, 2025.
During the program, more than $70,000 in scholarships were awarded ito college-bound seniors.
Paxon Masters of Avonworth High School, and Loren Prisuta of Pine-Richland. (Images courtesy of Pittsburgh CLO)
2026 GENE KELLY AWARD WINNERS
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Budget Level 1: Saint Joseph High School, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Budget Level II: Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools, The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III: Penn Hills High School, Once on this Island
Budget Level IV: Riverview Jr./Sr. High School, The Addams Family Musical
OUTSTANDING CREW/TECHNICAL EXECUTION
Budget Level I: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II: Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools, The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III: Shady Side Academy Sr. School, Anything Goes (2022 Revision)
Budget Level IV: Pine-Richland High School, Chicago: Teen Edition
OUTSTANDING DANCE ENSEMBLE
Budget Level I: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II: Plum Senior High School, Seussical
Budget Level III: Elizabeth Forward High School, The Prince of Egypt
Budget Level IV: Pine-Richland High School, Chicago: Teen Edition
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Budget Level I: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II: Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools, The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III: North Hills High School, Mamma Mia!
Budget Level IV: Pine-Richland High School, Chicago: Teen Edition
OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN
Budget Level I: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II: McKeesport Area High School, Fiddler on the Roof
Budget Level III: Shady Side Academy, Anything Goes (2022 Revision)
Budget Level IV: Thomas Jefferson High School, 9 to 5
OUTSTANDING VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Budget Level I: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II: Plum Senior High School, Seussical
Budget Level III: Elizabeth Forward High School, The Prince of Egypt
Budget Level IV: Pine-Richland High School, Chicago: Teen Edition
OUTSTANDING STUDENT ORCHESTRA
Budget Level IV: Pine-Richland High School, Chicago: Teen Edition
OUTSTANDING STUDENT ARTIST
Andrew Horvath, Student Sound Technician; Lead Student Carpenter, Thomas Jefferson High School, 9 to 5
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
Sonny Davis, Woodland Hills High School, as Igor in Young Frankenstein
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Livia Rocco, Woodland Hills High School, as Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein
OUTSTANDING ACTOR
Paxon Masters, Avonworth High School as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS
Loren Prisuta, Pine-Richland High School, as Velma Kelly in Chicago: Teen Edition
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL
Budget Level I: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School. Hadestown: Teen Edition
Budget Level II: Central & Oakland Catholic High Schools. The Addams Family Musical
Budget Level III: Elizabeth Forward High School, The Prince of Egypt
Budget Level IV: Pine-Richland High School, Chicago: Teen Edition
KELLY CRITIC AWARD
Katelynn Burger, Baldwin High School
2026 GENE KELLY AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS
- Point Park University presented Theodor Mertz and Oliver Moore with a scholarship renewable for four years, to attend Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts.
- Seton Hill University presented Anya Bakaturski with scholarships to attend Seton Hill University.
- Slippery Rock University presented Madison Williams-Powell with a scholarship to attend Slippery Rock University.
- Gene Kelly Cash Scholarships were awarded to seniors who have been accepted to a school for the performing or technical arts: Mariana Mangual, Eamonn McElfresh, & Linnea Polen.
- A cash prize went to Katelynn Burger of Baldwin High School, winner of the Christopher Rawson Kelly Critics Award.
- The Pittsburgh CLO Ambassadors awarded scholarships to college-bound students pursuing a major outside of the arts: Ashlyn Casale, Zoe Kaczmarek, Ava Isasky, Autumn Miller, & Isaac Reitzell.
- The Charles Gray Award for Special Achievement in Arts Education was presented to St. Benedict the Moor School, in recognition of its arts education program.
For more information on the Gene Kelly Awards ceremony, including the 2026 Playbill, visit https://www.pittsburghclo.org/education/gene-kelly-award.
Categories: Arts Education, National and Local Awards, News, Our Posts
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