KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Each year, thousands of high school students across the Kansas City metro wait in anticipation for the announcement of the annual Blue Star Awards nominations. Today, Starlight leadership, staff, and board members revealed this year’s nominees via in school presentations and Starlight’s social media. In the 2025-26 Blue Star Awards season, 66 schools and nearly 5,100 metro area students participated, making the program one of the largest and most respected high school musical awards shows in the nation.

Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, Starlight’s annual Blue Star Awards recognize achievement and excellence in musical theatre among Kansas City area high school students. Winners will be announced in 31 categories and $10,000 in monetary prizes will be awarded at the Blue Star Awards Ceremony, which will also feature 10 onstage performances.

The 24th annual Blue Star Awards Ceremony will take place Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Starlight Theatre. Premium seating is available for $20 per ticket. Additional seating is free but will be ticketed. To reserve tickets, visit kcstarlight.com or call the ticket office at (816) 363-7827. There will be limited concessions available for purchase.

2025-26 Blue Star Awards Nominees

Ceremony Ensemble

Basehor-Linwood – Lydia Broxterman
Bishop Miege – Isaac Frenzel
Bishop Miege – Isabella Dessert
Blue Springs South – Darryl Wesley
Blue Valley Northwest – Ryan Peterson
Blue Valley Southwest – Aliyah Lawrence
Blue Valley Southwest – Kellen Serrano
Blue Valley Southwest – Madeline Hendricks
Central – Macormick Carlson