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Recognizing everyone from set and costume designers to lead actors and actresses, the Applause Awards is a true celebration of all things musical theater. Honoring excellence in high school productions is just the beginning. This program also advocates for the importance of the arts by creating access for students and schools in our community.
Through the Applause Awards, they receive valuable feedback and enjoy amazing learning opportunities—like master classes led by touring Broadway artists and performance training workshops—giving them a space to work with their peers and sharpen their skills.
How the Program works
August through April, industry experts review 50 registered productions from 39 high schools in 10 Florida counties. Their detailed reviews are then used to determine awards in specific categories and Dr. Phillips Center hosts a ceremony in June on the Walt Disney Theater stage.
But it gets even better. Many participants are awarded college scholarships. And every year, one lead actor and one lead actress from the Applause Awards go on to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards™ (NHSMTA)—also known as The Jimmy Awards®—in New York City.
2026 Applause Awards
A panel of 20 statewide casting agents, show producers, and industry professionals have winners consisting of 400 students from 40 high schools and 12 counties to participate in this high-energy evening—featuring live performances of winners in the Outstanding Musical category and culminating in the announcement of who will represent the Dr. Phillips Center in New York City at the Jimmy Awards.
Modeled after the Tony Awards®, the Applause Awards will be directed by Broadway veteran Richard J. Hinds and hosted by award winning Broadway performer and Central Florida local, Michael James Scott. Thousands of dollars in scholarships will be given to college-bound seniors. Two overall winners will advance to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards®, known as The Jimmy Awards®, for an opportunity of a lifetime to compete among the next generation of Broadway stars in New York City.
Meet our 2026 Adjudicators
Shane Bland +
Shane Bland is a multifaceted theater artist whose career spans Broadway, national tours, regional theater, television, choreography, and directing. Credits include the original Broadway cast and National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bombay Dreams, Show Boat (directed by Harold Prince), and Disney’s The Lion King. In Orlando, Shane has earned acclaim in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Cabaret (as the Emcee at Orlando Shakes), and as The Beast in Beauty and the Beast at the Garden Theatre (Broadway World Nomination). At the Dr. Phillips Center, he has choreographed Frozen Jr. and Matilda (Broadway World Nominee), and served as co-choreographer on Hairspray and The Applause Awards. He serves as an adjudicator for the program and is a Disney Musicals in Schools teaching artist.
Jeff Hice +
Jeff Hice has a BFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut and also trained with London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Jeff's regional theatre credits include Connecticut Repertory Theatre "As You Like It" (Touchstone), "The Importance of Being Earnest" (Reverend Canon Chasuble), "Bye Bye Birdie" (Harry MacAfee). Other regional credits include "A Christmas Carol" at the Guthrie Theatre where he received his Actors Equity Card. Jeff also performed in the "Sword in the Stone Show" at Walt Disney World until it closed in 2006. He could also be found as a Storyteller during Epcot's Festival of the Holidays. Jeff also worked at WDW as an entertainment Stage Manager for "Voyage of the Little Mermaid", "Playhouse Disney", "High School Musical" and "Citizens of Hollywood".
Drew Kerr +
Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Drew relocated to the Sunshine State in 2012 to pursue a career with the Walt Disney Company. His tenure with Disney spans many roles including Performer, Traditions Facilitator, Associate Show Director and Maintenance Choreographer - the role he currently holds by teaching and maintaining the Live Entertainment in the Parks. Drew has continued to amplify the Disney legacy by fulfilling contracts with FELD Entertainment’s Disney Live! and the Tokyo Disney Resort. Beyond the parks, Drew has performed as part of the Alwin Nikolais Centennial Celebration, choreographed for the Orlando Fringe Festival and been featured in numerous productions, including Billy Elliot, Hairspray, and The Producers. With dual degrees in Dance Performance and Arts Management, Drew has a true passion for the performing arts and propelling excellence in the Entertainment industry.
Dan LoBuono-Wahl +
Dan LoBuono-Wahl is currently a Talent Casting Director for Disney Live Entertainment. He has an extensive professional theatre background with over 40 years of experience as a singer, dancer, and actor. His notable theatre credits include performing in the Broadway and National Tours of the 1994 revival of Hello, Dolly starring the legendary Carol Channing, as well as in the Broadway and National Tours of Chicago The Musical. Dan also appeared in the National Tour of "The Full Monty," where he played the role of Buddy "Keno" Walsh, and was part of the original Broadway cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which starred Sutton Foster. This production received eleven Tony Award nominations in 2002 and won eight, including Best Musical.
Karl LoBuono-Wahl +
Karl has a long list of professional and regional theatre credits spanning over 33 years as an accomplished singer, dancer, director, recording artist, choreographer, and actor. Theatre credits include: Broadway productions of Footloose (onstage Male ensemble cover) and the legendary long-running production of CATS playing the role of Macavity. Karl was also a signed recording artist with Mercury/Polygram Records under the name of pop-star Alex Braydon. Karl also toured in Europe, Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, and Italy with the LaScalla Opera Company and their production of West Side Story playing the role of Riff. Karl was a Show Director/Choreographer for Norwegian Cruise Line setting live companies of a variety of production and book musicals. After some time working as a Scenic and Animatronic Artist at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, he has now joined the Cosmetology Department at Walt Disney World. He is part of the team supporting the legendary production of Fantasmic!, Beauty And The Beast Live On Stage, and The Little Mermaid A Musical Adventure at Hollywood Studios.
Kate Lott +
Kate has traveled the world with her voice. She began with a broad variety of roles in Regional Theaters around the country before moving to Orlando more than a decade ago. Honoring her BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah University, Walt Disney Entertainment invited Kate to move to Orlando, Florida, where she has been singing First Soprano with the Voices of Liberty for over ten years. Kate has been a featured soloist for the Atlanta Braves, Run Disney, and President Barack Obama. Her signature high notes have been captured on multiple studio recordings. When she’s not singing, Kate enjoys her role as a sought after Life Coach, helping others define and achieve their goals.
Rob Lott +
Rob has been a professional performer and director for over twenty-five years. He and his teams have created intimate atmosphere shows as well as spectacle stage productions for large audiences. You can hear his thoughts on Leadership and Creativity on his regularly hosted show, The Leading Creative Podcast as well as Let’s Talk Soon - The Podcast where he and his sister, Tricia, talk about the latest topics they are reading about, writing about, thinking about, and speaking up about. Rob is the Owner and Lead Creative at Blue Trumpet Creative. Specializing in theatrical strategies and approaches to create unforgettable experiences for both audiences and artists. Based in Orlando, FL, Rob’s teams are assembled of world-class artists and designers in music, choreography, lighting, audio, pyrotechnics, costuming, set design, animation and video design. Rob and his wife, Kate, live in Orlando, FL with their dog, Leo.
Brian Love +
An accomplished Broadway, TV, and Voice Actor, Brian brings over 30 years of experience to the world of performance. Brian has had the opportunity to perform all over the world on some of the world’s biggest stages with some of the most accomplished performers, directors, and choreographers. Some of these include Patrick Page, Karen Olivo, Jerry Zaks, Michael Greif, Julie Taymor, Garth Fagan, Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, and Jerry Lewis. Brian has been on 4 National Broadway Tours and made his Broadway Debut with Disney’s The Lion King, a show with which he performed hundreds of times over the course of 10 wonderful years. Brian is extremely proud, happy, and excited to be a part of the Applause Awards family! IG/Threads: @brianloveofficial; Website: www.brianloveactor.com
Erin Michelson +
Erin is a performing artist, teacher, and coach. As an actress, she has appeared on stage, film, and television. Her BFA degree in musical theatre in combination with her experience have provided her with the qualifications to contract with performing arts organizations as a teaching artist, as well as a director, and choreographer for stage productions, across the state of Florida including Orlando Shakes, Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and Opera Orlando. She has been instrumental in mentoring and coaching children, teens, and adults to grasp the context, emotion, and oral expression for auditions and cast roles across the multitude of entertainment mediums.
David Moore +
David Moore (AEA, AFTRA-SAG) has worked in theatre with talents as diverse as Susan Stroman, Tim Curry, Christopher Sieber, F. Murray Abraham, Polly Holiday, and Jonathan Frid. He has directed over 35 productions around the country as well as being a professional director and actor for many years. Holding an MFA in Acting/Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi, David has been on the faculty at Southwest Missouri State University, the University of Michigan-Flint, University of Central Florida, and Georgia College & State University, where, as Director of Theatre, he created the theatre program. In New York, he worked on and off Broadway, and appeared regularly on the soap operas Guiding Light and One Life to Live. He recently retired from full time work as an Entertainment Manager at Walt Disney World where he was the longest running stage manager in the history of The Hoop Dee Doo Revue.
Kayla Kelsay Morales +
Kayla Kelsay Morales is the Co-Owner and Director of Casting at Kelsay + Morales Company, Central Florida's only theatrical casting office! Kayla received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida. She has had the pleasure of casting Off-Broadway shows including From Here, and Drama Desk Award nominee Ain't Done Bad, national tours with TheatreWorksUSA including The Lighting Thief & Dog Man the Musical, and many regional theatre projects in Central Florida. She has served as a Producer (Outdoor Stage) for the Orlando Fringe Festival and has also been seen singing with the Voices of Liberty at the Walt Disney World Resort. She is passionate about education and has worked with Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as a teaching artist and Applause Awards Adjudicator! @kelsaymoralescompay
Chris More +
Originally from England, Chris attended Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), where he obtained a degree in Acting (Performing Arts). After performing at Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line, Chris moved into Entertainment Leadership. He held Officer positions onboard the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder, before relocating to Walt Disney World. Chris has been a Stage Manager at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and helped open Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. He later served as a pre-opening Stage Manager on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Recently, Chris moved to Magic Kingdom where he has served as a Parade Manager and Event Manager for Hard Ticket Events.
Whitney Morse +
Whitney Morse made her Off-Broadway debut in 2023 in Abingdon Theatre’s ’Til Death alongside Judy Kaye and Robert Cuccioli. Regional credits include Every Brilliant Thing (Pennsylvania Shakes and Orlando Shakes) and numerous Central Florida productions. Whitney is the Artistic Director of Significant Productions, a proud member of Actors Equity, and holds an MFA in Acting from Columbia University. www.whitneymorse.com @whitneyalicemorse
Diana Negron +
Diana Negron is a bilingual actress and teaching artist based in Orlando, Florida. She received her B.A. in Performance Theatre from the University of South Florida in 2017. Her training spans acting, voice, various styles of dance, and stage combat. Since 2021 she has been a teaching artist for programs at Dr. Phillips Center, including Disney Musicals in Schools. Currently, she is the Theater Teacher/Director at Orlando Christian Prep.
Kristina Reilly +
Kristina Reilly is a director, entrepreneur, teaching artist, and performer with over a decade of experience in youth musical theatre, arts education, and live entertainment. She currently serves as a teaching artist at the Dr. Phillips Center and Theatre South Playhouse. Kristina is the co-founder of the nationally recognized Virtual Babysitters Club, featured on Good Morning America, CBS News, and Business Insider. A former Disney Cruise Line principal performer, she brings a deep commitment to storytelling and arts access to every project.
Kim Sava +
Kim was an original cast member in the Tony nominated Broadway show, Beetlejuice the musical, performing in the ensemble and covering multiple female leading roles. She traveled the U.S. in the 1st National Tour of Matilda The Musical and has performed in a wide range of regional productions. Her most coveted role to date is new Mom to son, Penn.
Stephen Superak +
Stephen “Skippy” Superak graduated from Florida Southern College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre. As a performer for Walt Disney World, he has performed in multiple stage shows and parades. Stephen has been a Stage Manager for Flights of Wonder, Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo – The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and currently works at EPCOT overseeing daily live entertainment operations.
Brittany Smith +
Brittany Smith has dedicated 17 years to the Walt Disney Company in roles including performer, Maintenance Choreographer, Casting Coordinator, and currently Talent Integration Manager for the Entertainment Show Quality team. She is also a Teaching Artist with Dr. Phillips Center’s Disney Musicals in Schools program and served as an Applause Awards adjudicator for the 2024-2025 season.
Alexis Turner +
Alexis Turner obtained a BFA in Musical Theatre from Taylor University and an MM in Vocal Performance from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Performance credits include Mega Movie Parade at Universal Studios, Capone’s Dinner & Show, The Pirates of Penzance, Mary Poppins, Sunday in the Park with George, and concerts with Opera Orlando. Alexis currently teaches voice lessons, works on film projects, performs at dinner shows, and teaches classes at the Dr. Phillips Center.
MaryJayne Waddell +
MaryJayne Waddell’s professional career began in 1980 and spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, national and international tours, theme parks, film and television. She is a member of AEA, SAG and AFTRA. Highlights include Mamma Mia! (Donna Sheridan) on the North American Tour, Les Misérables on Broadway and tour, and The Sondheim Celebration at the Kennedy Center. As an actor/director/choreographer, her credits include Disney Cruise Lines and education programs. Since 2019 she has adjudicated for the Applause Awards at Dr. Phillips Center and serves as a teaching artist.
Victor Wisehart +
Victor James Wisehart is an American director, choreographer, and performer with experience across stage and screen in the US and Europe. Performing highlights include originating roles in world premieres such as An American in Paris (Mr. Z) on Broadway and The Jungle Book at Goodman Theatre. Broadway credits also include Holiday Inn with Roundabout Theatre Company (recorded for BroadwayHD and PBS). As an award-winning SDC Director/Choreographer, Victor has reproduced direction/choreography for Lincoln Center’s South Pacific and Agnes de Mille’s Oklahoma! and Carousel. He has worked with Dr. Phillips Center on multiple productions and was honored to conceive and choreograph an original Applause Awards piece honoring William Finn.
