The Sutton Foster Awards are among Michigan’s most prestigious honors for student performers, celebrating excellence in high school musical theatre while connecting young artists to Broadway star Sutton Foster’s legacy. A two-time Tony Award winner raised in Troy, her journey from school productions to starring in Broadway shows like Thoroughly Modern Millie and Shrek the Musical reflects the path these awards inspire.
Held annually at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the program recognizes achievement in acting, singing, and dancing, while honoring the educators and schools that support the arts. Often seen as the high school equivalent of the Tony Awards, it culminates in a statewide showcase where top performers compete to represent Michigan at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards known as the Jimmy Awards in New York City.
The process is extensive and highly competitive. Schools submit productions to be judged by theatre professionals, who evaluate live performances based on vocal ability, acting, movement, stage presence, and character portrayal. Selected students are named Outstanding Performers and advance to workshops and rehearsals leading up to the final showcase.
This year Utica’s Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was adjudicated for the Sutton Foster Awards selected as the top performers were Seniors Brendan Silver as William Barfée and Jonathan McCabe as Leaf Coneybear. Their exceptional singing and acting abilities stood out to the judges, earning them the nomination.
“I was truly not expecting it, but I was very excited that I got the opportunity, theatre taught me I who I was and what I wanted to do.” McCabe said. “This is a huge deal because I want to be a director or a play writer and this award gives me credibility within the industry.” 
Prior to the next step in the competition, the two will spend the next few weekends rehearsing for a series of group numbers and character medleys with theatre students from across the state of Michigan. Working with some of the best choreographers and vocal instructors, in preparation for the awards showcase.
“This nomination tells me that I do have what it takes to go into this industry. I have the passion, the desire, and the drive to get better. As a performer, this nomination means everything to me,” Silver said. “Utica’s theater program has helped shaped me as a performer because, here at Utica, we prioritize having a good time. As I prepare for the Sutton Foster Awards, I will practice the music and dances we learned at the showcase workshops.”
Not only did actors have the opportunity to be adjudicated and nominated, but technicians were also recognized for their contributions. Senior Anna Stecker and Junior Evan Kies were nominated as top six in the state for social media marketing as a part of the Sutton Foster Awards Backstage Spotlight, highlighting the vital role that behind-the-scenes work plays in a production’s overall success.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized for our work at the state level. Evan and I have both worked very hard over the past few months and I couldn’t be prouder what the two of us accomplished.” Stecker said. “Being selected as top in the state for Social Media Marketing is especially a huge deal as next year I will be studying Arts Administration, where I will be dealing with the business and marketing side of the arts.” 
Throughout the production process, the two worked hard to promote the show by sharing content on the Theatre Departments Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook pages. Anna and Evan worked together to collaborate on a wide variety of media, such as reels and posts to add to their portfolio. Their creative graphics and fun photos caught the eye of the judges at Wharton Center.
“I took various pictures during rehearsals, I still have at least a hundred saved on my camera role that I would take and send to Anna so she could make collages,” Kies said. “I also made a word of the week series, where I shared a word on our Instagram story every week leading up to the show date. It was a fun way to promote the show and tie into the spelling bee theme.”
The pair will have their social media portfolio consisting of Canva graphics and Tik Tok videos along with a portion of their video essay featured during the backstage spotlight section of the awards showcase.
As the 14th annual the Sutton Foster Awards approach on May 31 at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, excitement continues to build across Michigan. For Utica High School, being part of this statewide event is a meaningful honor that reflects the strength of its arts program and the hard work of its students and staff, celebrating the creativity behind productions like The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and helping students prepare for their careers in the arts.
