2026 Upright Awards Nominees
We are thrilled to announce the nominees for the inaugural Upright Awards!
As we celebrate Upright Theatre Co.’s 6th birthday, this special event looks back on an incredible 2025 season and honors the artists, volunteers, and productions that made it unforgettable. These nominees represent the passion, creativity, and dedication that define our community.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the nomination process and helped us recognize the very best of Upright Theatre Co.
Important Dates
2026 Upright Awards Nominees
Best Production
Recognizing a production that demonstrated excellence in performance, direction, design, and overall storytelling.
Best Lead Actor
Honoring a performer in a leading role whose work showed exceptional talent, presence, and emotional impact.
Best Lead Actress
Honoring a performer in a leading role whose work showed exceptional talent, presence, and emotional impact.
Best Supporting Actor
Honoring a performer in a supporting role who elevated the production through strong and memorable work.
Best Supporting Actress
Honoring a performer in a supporting role who elevated the production through strong and memorable work.
Outstanding Production Team Member
Honoring a director, choreographer, music director, stage manager, designer, or other production team member for their outstanding work on a production.
Best Ensemble
Celebrating a cast that worked together seamlessly to create a unified and compelling performance.
Scene Stealer Award
Recognizing a performer who consistently captured the audience's attention.
Audience Favorite Moment
Celebrating a memorable moment that resonated strongly with audiences.
"What Just Happened" Award
Recognizing a funny or unexpected onstage moment.
Outstanding Youth Production
Celebrating an outstanding youth production that demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and excellence in storytelling.
As we celebrate Upright Theatre Co.’s 6th birthday, this special event looks back on an incredible 2025 season and honors the artists, volunteers, and productions that made it unforgettable. These nominees represent the passion, creativity, and dedication that define our community.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the nomination process and helped us recognize the very best of Upright Theatre Co.
Important Dates
- Voting Closes: June 1, 2026
- Awards Night: June 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
2026 Upright Awards Nominees
Best Production
Recognizing a production that demonstrated excellence in performance, direction, design, and overall storytelling.
- Shrek the Musical
- Romeo + Juliet
- Young Frankenstein
Best Lead Actor
Honoring a performer in a leading role whose work showed exceptional talent, presence, and emotional impact.
- Devon Watkins - Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein
- Joshua Wilson - Stone in City of Angels
- Julian Rodriguez - Shrek in Shrek the Musical
- Shaun Senter - Sam Wheat in Ghost The Musical
- Spencer Bovaird - Shrek in Shrek the Musical
Best Lead Actress
Honoring a performer in a leading role whose work showed exceptional talent, presence, and emotional impact.
- Alli Perez - Molly Jensen in Ghost the Musical
- Brooke Matthews - Fiona in Shrek the Musical
- Piper Daniel - Juliet in Romeo + Juliet
- Samantha Infante - Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels
- Vanessa Benoit - Inga in Young Frankenstein
Best Supporting Actor
Honoring a performer in a supporting role who elevated the production through strong and memorable work.
- Jaquailyn Martin - Donkey in Shrek the Musical
- Jordan Kuzmack - Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical
- Kyle Morris - The Monster in Young Frankenstein
- Landon Black - Igor in Young Frankenstein
- Nathanael Clark - Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical
Best Supporting Actress
Honoring a performer in a supporting role who elevated the production through strong and memorable work.
- Brook Baker - Dragon in Shrek the Musical
- Chelsea Schmidt - Carla Haywood/Alaura Kingsley in City of Angels
- Mikayla Medford - Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy in Shrek the Musical
- Stacey Simpson - Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein
- Whitney Morris - Lady Capulet in Romeo + Juliet
Outstanding Production Team Member
Honoring a director, choreographer, music director, stage manager, designer, or other production team member for their outstanding work on a production.
- Abigail Clark - Stage Manager, Shrek the Musical
- Gracie Ridings - Stage Manager, Young Frankenstein
- Logan Frederick - Director, Young Frankenstein
- Natalie Burkhart - Director, Shrek the Musical
- Whitney Morris - Choreographer, Young Frankenstein
Best Ensemble
Celebrating a cast that worked together seamlessly to create a unified and compelling performance.
- Shrek the Musical
- City of Angels
- Young Frankenstein
Scene Stealer Award
Recognizing a performer who consistently captured the audience's attention.
- Essence Chicoine as Oda Mae Brown, Ghost the Musical
- Jonathan Charles as Ensemble, Young Frankenstein
- Joshua Rodriguez as Pied Piper/Featured Dancer, Shrek the Musical
- Jaquailyn Martin as Jimmy Powers, City of Angels
- Tim Bass as Buddy Fiddler, City of Angels
Audience Favorite Moment
Celebrating a memorable moment that resonated strongly with audiences.
- Reverse Fight Scene - City of Angels
- Family Business Bottle Dance - Young Frankenstein
- Puttin On The Ritz - Young Frankenstein
- Finale - Romeo + Juliet
- The Final Goodbye - Ghost the Musical
"What Just Happened" Award
Recognizing a funny or unexpected onstage moment.
- "All Aboard" - Jonathan Charles in Young Frankenstein
- Jaquailyn Martin ad-libbing vocal warmups at the beginning of Act 2 - City of Angels
- The bookcase breaking - Young Frankenstein
- I Think I’ve Got You Beat, aka the “fart scene” - Shrek the Musical
- Erica Erives (surprised nun says what??) - Ghost the Musical
Outstanding Youth Production
Celebrating an outstanding youth production that demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and excellence in storytelling.
- Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr.
- Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr.
Cast Your Vote
Cast your votes for the inaugural Upright Awards as we celebrate our 6th birthday and the best of our 2025 season!
Every ballot supports Upright Theatre Co. and helps us continue creating meaningful, high-quality theatre in our community. Each ballot includes one vote in every award category, allowing you to support your favorite performers, productions, and moments.
The more ballots you purchase, the greater your impact!
1 Ballot – $20 (Includes 1 vote per category)
A great way to make your voice heard and support your favorites.
5 Ballots – $100 (Includes 5 votes per category)
Boost your favorites, increase your impact, and celebrate our 6th birthday in a bigger way.
10 Ballots – $200 (Includes 10 votes per category)
Maximum voting power with meaningful support for Upright Theatre Co.; a true birthday gift to the future of our theatre!
How It Works:
After purchase, you’ll receive a link to cast your votes.
Simply submit the form once. Your selections will be counted based on the number of ballots you purchased.
Purchase your 2026 ballot here.
Every ballot supports Upright Theatre Co. and helps us continue creating meaningful, high-quality theatre in our community. Each ballot includes one vote in every award category, allowing you to support your favorite performers, productions, and moments.
The more ballots you purchase, the greater your impact!
1 Ballot – $20 (Includes 1 vote per category)
A great way to make your voice heard and support your favorites.
5 Ballots – $100 (Includes 5 votes per category)
Boost your favorites, increase your impact, and celebrate our 6th birthday in a bigger way.
10 Ballots – $200 (Includes 10 votes per category)
Maximum voting power with meaningful support for Upright Theatre Co.; a true birthday gift to the future of our theatre!
How It Works:
After purchase, you’ll receive a link to cast your votes.
Simply submit the form once. Your selections will be counted based on the number of ballots you purchased.
Purchase your 2026 ballot here.
Thank you for your support!
