Congratulations to the Jerry award winners for 2025!
The Jerrys, one of Wisconsin’s High School Musical Awards Programs, encourages, recognizes and honors excellence in high school musical theater. The program began in the 2009/10 school year as the Tommy Awards, and was renamed in 2017/18 season to The Jerrys after philanthropist and arts supporter W. Jerome Frautschi. Educators and industry professionals attend productions at nearly 115 high schools in 30 counties around the state, providing valuable feedback. The program elevates the importance of musical theater within high schools.
Leah Culli (GHS Senior) received the award for outstanding lead performance as "Anne Boleyn" in SIX: TEEN EDITION. Critics response: "Leah was a magnetic presence onstage. Every movement was crisp and intentional. Every line was biting with saccharine sarcasm. She successfully walked the line between cutesy and punk-rock, with vocals to match. Even in scenes where she wasn’t the focus, I found myself watching her because she was just that dynamic. Fab job!"
Connor Brown (GHS Senior), Heather Ellis (PAC Coordinator), and Lainey Loomis (GHS Junior) received the award for outstanding lighting design for their work on SIX: TEEN EDITION. The lighting design involved the programming of over a thousand cues, perfectly timed to the beat of each song. They also incorporated the use of 11 moving lights, 2 laser machines, 2 fog machines, and many other special effects specifically for this production. Critics response: "The concert-style lighting was a tremendous win...there were so many fun, colorful, textured, movement-filled looks that made a huge impression."
Emily Nicol (GHS Senior) and Lainey Loomis (GHS Junior) both received the Spirit Award, bestowed on a student in each show as a recognition of their positivity, leadership, and contributions to the production.
