On Monday during 1st period, the cast of Bellwood-Antis’s 2026 musical Little Shop of Horrors was called to the auditorium for the announcements of who would be nominated for the prestigious Isaac Awards held annually at Mishler Theater.
The cast was thrilled to find out that they were nominated in every category for which they were eligible.
“I was shocked and excited! I’m overjoyed with the nomination of the urchins after all the hard work be put in,” said senior Alia Bennett, who was part of a musical trio nominated for Best Feature Ensemble.
Directed by Mr. David Logue and Molly Burns, Little Shop of Horrors ran to sell-out crowds for three days this spring from March 26-28.
Bellwood-Antis was nominated in the following
- Best Production- Little Shop of Horrors
- Best Lead Actor in a Male Role- Collin Matthews- Seymour Krelborn
- Best Lead Actor in a Female Role- Lily Burns- Audrey
- Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role- Christian “Chug” Jennings- Audrey II
- Best Featured Actor in a Male Role- Tristin Riva- Orin Scrivello, D.D.S
- Best Featured Ensemble- The Urchins- Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon.
- Best Dance Number- Skid Row
- Best Musical Number- Suddenly Seymour
- Best Student Design- Lily Briggs
- Best Student Crew- Student Stage Manager Lily Briggs, Puppeteers- Thad Norton and Lucas Fulmer and Crew-Dean Hoffer.
“To be nominated in every category we were eligible in is an incredible accomplishment and speaks to the talent and commitment of our students,” said director Molly Burns.
This the 21st year of the Isaac Awards, which is held at the Mishler in Altoona and this year will be held on May 25th and 26th. The awards are sponsored by the Altoona Community Theater and along with recognizing the area’s best high school musicals they also award scholarship money. Since starting in 2006, the Isaac’s have awarded more than $500,000 to students in scholarship money while funding local music programs with more than $100,000.
The awards ceremonies include not only the presentation of awards but performances from the casts of area musicals. B-A will be preforming “Skid Row” into “Feed ME!”
Bellwood-Antis was put up against bigger schools in the awards categories, but was able to hold its own and secure high praise.
“I’m absolutely blessed to have been nominated in my category. We had such a great year and I hope we come home with something,” Matthews stated.
B-A had one winner last year after Derek Stivers took home Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role for his performance as Lord Farquaad.
