Nominations & Finalists Revealed For The Shea’s Wonder Awards
Over 1,600 WNY students from 25 schools compete, with winners heading to the national Jimmy Awards in NYC
Shea's Performing Arts Center announced the school nominees and student semi-finalists for Shea's Wonder Awards, Shea's high school musical theatre awards program. Shea's Wonder Awards winners will be announced during a ceremony at Shea's Buffalo Theatre on Saturday, May 16.
The program, led by Shea's Arts Engagement & Education Department, was expanded this year to 1,629 students from 20 to 25 schools spanning 5 Western New York counties, including: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara and Wyoming. Participating schools include:
- Alden High School – HELLO, DOLLY!
- Bishop Timon St. Jude High School / Mount Mercy Academy – JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
- Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart – NUNSENSE
- Canisius High School – CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
- Cheektowaga Central High School – THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
- Cleveland Hill High School – DISNEY'S FROZEN
- Fillmore Central High School – HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION
- Gowanda High School – DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
- Jamestown High School – THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
- Letchworth Central High School – THE SOUND OF MUSIC
- Lockport High School – BIG FISH: SCHOOL EDITION
- Maple Grove High School – HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION
- Mount St. Mary Academy – ANYTHING GOES
- Nardin Academy – FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL
- North Collins Jr./Sr. High School – RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA!
- North Tonawanda High School – FREAKY FRIDAY
- Pioneer High School – GUYS AND DOLLS
- Randolph Jr./Sr. High School – DISNEY'S NEWSIES
- Southwestern Central High School – ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
- St. Francis High School – THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
- St. Joseph's Collegiate Academy – INTO THE WOODS
- St. Mary's High School – CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION
- Starpoint High School – DISNEY'S FROZEN
- West Seneca West High School – SOMETHING ROTTEN!
- Williamsville East High School – INTO THE WOODS
Throughout the school year 36 adjudicators attended local high school musicals, providing feedback and scoring each high school production in various categories. Shea's Wonder Awards are provided in categories related to outstanding performance, vocals, dance, music, lighting, set, costume, hair and makeup, direction, choreography, and more.
In addition, Shea's announced 16 individual semi-finalists for the “Student Talent And Growth Experience” STAGE Program. The two student winners of Shea's STAGE program will go on to compete in The Jimmy Awards, the national high school theatre awards program, which will be held in New York City on June 22, 2026.
Winners of Shea's Wonder Awards program including the STAGE finalists will be announced at an event held at Shea's Buffalo Theatre on Saturday, May 16 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door, available through the Shea's Box Office at 650 Main Street or online.
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