Gene Kelly Awards 2023 Nominees, Winners, and Highlights
by Sona
Updated Jun 02, 2023
Gene Kelly Awards 2023
The Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre were held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Benedum Center. The event showcased remarkable group performances by students from the participating schools, as well as captivating medleys from the nominees for Best Actor and Actress.
The 2023 Gene Kelly Awards witnessed an evening of extraordinary talent, with notable victories for Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Westinghouse Arts Academy, Hampton, and the remarkable comeback story of Elizabeth Forward.
Elizabeth Forward, despite facing adversity earlier in the year when their school's auditorium was devastated by a fire, demonstrated resilience and determination with the support of fellow competitors such as Thomas Jefferson High School, as well as the broader school and community.
Their remarkable efforts earned them eight Kelly Awards in Budget Level III, including the prestigious Best Musical title. Additionally, Tyler Quinto-Brody secured his third Best Actor victory, while Kaitlyn Majewski of McKeesport claimed the title of Best Actress. Both Brody and Majewski will now advance to the national competition, the Jimmy Awards, held in New York City.
Gene Kelly Awards 2023 Nominations and Winners List
Best Musical
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Westinghouse Arts Academy
Elizabeth Forward
Hampton
Big Fish
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Something Rotten!
Best Actor
Tyler Guinto-Brody
Quasimodo
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Best Actress
Kaitlyn Majewski
Natalie Heller/Ed
All Shook Up
Best Scenic Design
Serra Catholic
Westinghouse Arts Academy
Elizabeth Forward
Hampton
Little Shop of Horrors (Broadway Version)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Something Rotten!
Best Costume Design
Redeemer Lutheran
Carlynton
Elizabeth Forward
Hampton
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Original)
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Something Rotten!
Best Lighting Design
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Westinghouse Arts Academy
Elizabeth Forward
Hampton
Big Fish
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Something Rotten!
Best Vocal Ensemble
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Westinghouse Arts Academy
Elizabeth Forward
Thomas Jefferson
Big Fish
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Anything Goes (2022 Revision)
Best Dance Ensemble
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Westinghouse Arts Academy
Elizabeth Forward
Hampton
Big Fish
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Something Rotten!
Best Crew/Technical Execution
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Avonworth
Elizabeth Forward
Thomas Jefferson
Big Fish
Grand Hotel: The Musical
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Anything Goes (2022 Revision)
Best Student Orchestra
Pittsburgh CAPA
The Prom
Outstanding Student Artist
Alexa Custer
Assistant Music Director
Pittsburgh CAPA
Best Supporting Actor
Hampton
Brooks Brady
Thomas Nostradamus
Something Rotten!
Best Supporting Actress
Thomas Jefferson
Ashley Caldwell
Erma
Category
Budget Level I
Budget Level II
Budget Level III
Budget Level IV
Gene Kelly Awards 2023 Categories
Gene Kelly Awards
The Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater, established in 1991, are annual accolades presented by the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and the University of Pittsburgh. Named in honor of the renowned actor and director Gene Kelly, these awards recognize outstanding achievements in high school musicals within the Pittsburgh area.
The Best Musical category is divided into three tiers based on budget considerations. Additionally, the organization grants scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have contributed to the productions in various capacities. Currently, there are 29 participating schools, as of 2011.
In 2009, the Gene Kelly Awards gave rise to the National High School Musical Theater Awards, affectionately known as "The Jimmys," which the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera co-produces with Nederlander Presentations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Awards were canceled in 2020. In 2021, only individual awards were presented.
Gene Kelly Awards 2023: FAQs
The Gene Kelly Awards are annual accolades presented by the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and the University of Pittsburgh. They recognize outstanding achievements in high school musicals within the Pittsburgh area.
The Gene Kelly Awards were established in 1991.
The Best Musical category is divided into three tiers based on budget considerations.
Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Westinghouse Arts Academy, Hampton, and Elizabeth Forward were among the schools that received notable victories at the Gene Kelly Awards 2023.
Nominations for the Gene Kelly Awards are based on various categories, including Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Vocal Ensemble, Best Dance Ensemble, Best Crew/Technical Execution, Best Student Orchestra, Best Student Artist, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.