2016 Ben Vereen Award Nominees Announced; Ceremony Set for May 29

Broadway/San Diego has announced the 2016 San Diego nominees in the categories of Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Musical Production, for the Ben Vereen Awards, sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union taking place on Sunday, May 29th at the historic Balboa Theatre, and is hosted by CBS News 8 anchor Marcella Lee.

The winning Best Actor and Best Actress performers will be flown to New York for an all expenses paid week of intensive training as they represent San Diego and compete at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (known as The Jimmy™ Awards), at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (home of Disney's THE LION KING) on Monday, June 27, 2016, for the opportunity to win $10,000 towards a college scholarship.

The previously announced Wellness Through the Arts (WTA) five individual essay winners will each receive $500 and their stories will be used to create a live musical theatre piece for presentation at the BVAs on May 29th for their essays titled, "My Best Day". The winning Theatre Department Group Video Project Essay also receives a prize of $1,000 and will be shown at the event. This year, legendary stage and screen entertainer, Ben Vereen will present the Wellness Through the Arts category and introduce a new performance component with a special award for one talented student.

Upon confirming his involvement, Vereen said, "I am so pleased to be working with Broadway/San Diego on the third year of the BVAs as it is something that's dear to my heart, helping our young people to change their lives for the better through the performing arts with the WTA category. I wanted each student to tell me what 'Their Best Day' was in dealing with their most challenging issue and, most importantly, how they used the arts to make a difference."

New this year, the Top 20 student nominees will participate in a week of rehearsals leading up to the competition which includes a special 'Get Up and Go' workshop with a cast member of the national tour of Disney's Newsies on Monday, May 23rd and a master class with Ben Vereen on Saturday, May 28th. The winners for Best actor and Best Actress will also attend the San Diego Padres game on June 1st and sing the National Anthem to open the game.

2016 Ben Vereen Awards Individual Nominees:

Best Actor

Adam Trubitt - Scripps Ranch High School

Benjamin Shapiro - Coronado High School

Cameron Chang - Canyon Crest Academy

Cole Studebaker - Vista High School

Constantine Mickens - Canyon Crest Academy

Jake Bradford - Rancho Buena Vista High School

Jake Wascher - Coronado High School

Matthew Morris - Coronado High School

Samuel Brogadir - SD School of Creative and Performing Arts

Seann Altman - SD School of Creative and Performing Arts

Best Actress

Anna Machuca - Clairemont High School

Grace Newton - Academy of Our Lady of Peace

Haley Kerwin -Sage Creek High School

Jazley Genovese - SD School of Creative and Performing Arts

Jessica Morilak - San Dieguito Academy

Linsey Czyzewicz - Scripps Ranch High School

Mackenzie Scott - Rancho Buena Vista High School

Samantha Tullie - Canyon Crest Academy

Shea Gaulaudet - San Dieguito Academy

Sophie Cobarrugia - Westview High School

Nominees for Best Musical Production

Canyon Crest Academy for The Drowsy Chaperone

Coronado High School for Catch Me If You Can

La Jolla Country Day for Cinderella

San Dieguito Academy for Thoroughly Modern Millie

San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts for Chicago

Winners of Wellness Through The Arts - "My Best Day"

Bailey Woods - La Jolla Country Day

Erin Slane - Carlsbad High School

Savannah Welch - Rock Academy

Skylar Weatherford - San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts

Yoon Kang - Rock Academy

Winning High School Theatre Department Video Essay - La Jolla High School

For tickets and more information, visit www.benvereenawards.com.