Excitement and energy abounded as more than 200 students from 38 Northeast Ohio high schools showcased their talents at Playhouse Square’s annual Dazzle Awards presented by Pat and John Chapman and supported by PNC on Saturday, May 17. The regional program, which is marking its 10th anniversary, offers arts education opportunities throughout the school year and is affiliated with The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® presented by The Broadway League Foundation.
The ceremony amazed audiences from the start with its stunning opening number directed by Broadway Director/Choreographer Connor Gallagher. Students took over the Playhouse Square District, singing and dancing their way from the Playhouse Square Chandelier presented by GE Lighting, a Savant company on Euclid Avenue into the KeyBank State Theatre. And the powerful performances did not stop there. Six schools nominated for Best Musical showcased songs from their respective productions, and the Best Actor and Actress nominees wowed the crowd with their medleys. In honor of the Dazzle Awards 10th anniversary, alumni from the program surprised the audience with a return to the Playhouse Square stage for a special performance.
Students who worked behind-the-scenes helped to ensure the evening was a success. Technical Apprentices worked backstage with the production team to create a smooth show, while Musical Apprentices performed alongside professional musicians during the ceremony. The excitement was captured by the Dazzle Awards Student Reporters who worked the “PNC Red Carpet” before the show, as well as backstage at the Dazzle Awards social station. One of the student reporters, Hailey Tramonte of Highland High School, is now a finalist in The Jimmy Awards Student Reporter Search. Visit @JimmyAwards on Facebook and Instagram to like, comment and share Hailey’s video before May 31 to help her be chosen to cover The Jimmy Awards.
The evening culminated with the announcement of the coveted Dazzle Awards winners. Top honors were presented to outstanding musical theater productions and students in 13 categories. The 2025 Dazzle Awards recipients are:
Best Scenic Design
TIE
Hudson High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Saint Ignatius High School, Shrek The Musical
Best Costume Design
Lutheran West, Hello, Dolly!
Best Choreography Execution
Hudson High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Best Student Orchestra
Rocky River High School, Matilda The Musical
Best Technical Execution
Hudson High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Best Ensemble/Chorus
Hudson High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
Best Supporting Actor
Logan Cerrito, Bay High School, ‘Mayor Shinn’ in The Music Man
Best Supporting Actress
Molly Kessler, Saint Ignatius High School, ‘Dragon’/’Witch’ in Shrek The Musical
The Spirit of the Dazzle Awards
This award goes to the student who most embodies camaraderie, passion and an infectiously positive attitude throughout rehearsal week as identified by the Dazzle Awards creative team.
Jack Ottaviano, Independence High School
Best Actor
Anthony Fritzgerald, Saint Ignatius High School, ‘Donkey’ in Shrek The Musical
Best Actress
Mira Cahalane, Hudson High School, ‘Hermes’ in Hadestown: Teen Edition
Best Musical (Tier 1 – Budget less than $14,000)
Lakewood High School, Les Misérables (School Edition)
Best Musical (Tier 2 – Budget $14,000 or more)
Hudson High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
The winners of the Best Musical categories, Lakewood High School and Hudson High School, each received a $1000 award for use toward their next high school musical productions.
As recipients of the Best Actor and Actress Awards, Anthony Fritzgerald (Junior) and Mira Cahalane (Junior) will represent Northeast Ohio at The Jimmy Awards on June 23. Playhouse Square presented Anthony and Mira each with checks for $2000. Travel to The Jimmy Awards is made possible by a gift from The Weisenberg Family Broadway National High School Musical Theatre Awards Fund.
Public and private high schools located in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties were invited to apply for participation in the Dazzle Awards. Information and applications for the 2026 Dazzle Awards will be available online at playhousesquare.org/dazzleawards in August.