COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts announced the winners of the 13 categories of the 2024 Marquee Awards Thursday night at the Ohio Theatre.
In addition to announcing the winners, nominees from Best Musical Production, Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Leading Role gave performances.
The winners of Best Actor and Actress, Christian Strong and Allie Gomez, will now compete nationally at the 2024 Jimmy Awards. They will travel to New York to participate in a 10-day theatre intensive led by Broadway professionals and industry experts.
Afterward, they will compete on the national level for Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress.
During the 2023-24 school year, each of the 22 participating central Ohio high schools submitted a musical theatre production for review by the program’s team of professional adjudicators.
Additionally, in a category sponsored by WBNS-10TV, Lauren Hardy of Olentangy Liberty High School and Gigi D’Orisio of Bishop Watterson High School were nominated for the National Student Reporter program.
See all of the winners below:
Best Musical Production
- Whetstone High School, "Little Shop of Horrors"
Best Actress in a Leading Role Sponsored by Johnson Investment Counsel
- Allie Gomez, Upper Arlington High School, Cady Heron in "Mean Girls (School Edition)"
Best Actor in a Leading Role Sponsored by Danbert, Inc.
- Christian Strong, Pickerington High School North, Shrek in "Shrek The Musical" (Strong is a repeat winner in this category from last year’s Marquee Awards)
Best Direction Sponsored by Denison University
- Christopher Ray, Whetstone High School, "Little Shop of Horrors"
Outstanding Ensemble Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, N.A.
- Olentangy High School, "Catch Me If You Can"
Outstanding Dance Execution Sponsored by Kimball Midwest
- Olentangy High School, "Catch Me If You Can"
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Sponsored by Huntington
- Sammie Ross, Bexley High School, Melpomene in "Xanadu"
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Sponsored by ESP
- Gage Freshour, Whetstone High School, Orin Scrivello in "Little Shop of Horrors"
Outstanding Technical Execution Sponsored by Mary Beth and Luke McCormick
- Fairfield Union High School, "Mamma Mia!", Stage Manager: Carter McCrady
Outstanding Student Designer Sponsored by The Pam and Jack Beeler Family Fund of The Columbus Foundation
- Aubrielle Behary, Westerville South High School, Costume Design, "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
Backstage Excellence Sponsored by ImprovEdge
- Props & Costume Management Crew, Whetstone High School, "Little Shop of Horrors"
Outstanding Student Orchestra Sponsored by The DiMarco Family Fund of The Columbus Foundation
- Grove City High School, "Shrek The Musical"
