ISAACS honor excellence in musical theater
- The cast and crew of Hollidaysburg Area High School’s production of “Les Miserables” pose on the Mishler Theatre stage after their win for best production on Saturday at Altoona Community Theatre’s ISAACS. Mirror photo by Cynthia Wise
- ISAACS individual winners from Hollidaysburg Area School District’s production of “Les Miserables” included Jack Peterson for best lead actor in a male role and Alice Haslam for best supporting actor in a female role. Runner-up winners included Nora Stanek, best lead actor in a female role, and Benjamin Gervinski as best supporting actor in a male role. Courtesy photo
- The cast and crew of Altoona Area High School’s production of “The Little Mermaid” pose for a photo after being awarded runner-up for best production on Saturday at the Mishler Theatre. Mirror photo by Cynthia Wise
- Courtesy photo Altoona Area High School’s production of “The Little Mermaid” took top ISAACS honors for best ensemble for The Mersisters ensemble, seen with Camille Krug as Flounder, Jillian Pierannunzio as Ariel and Trevor Wilson as Sebastian. Mersisters ensemble members were (front left) Ava Conrad, Laura Reed and Madison Aboud and (second row from left) Gabrielle Beldin and Olivia Behe. Not pictured is Karinna Wolfe. Courtesy photo
- Glendale Junior/Senior High School won best production for “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” at Altoona Community Theatre’s ISAACS awards on Sunday at the Mishler Theatre. Glendale was also honored with the top award for student design by Kara Smith for set design and construction. Brenden Luongo was the winner for best lead actor in a male role and Sarabeth Lloyd was named runner-up for best lead actor in a female role. Courtesy photo
- Central High School’s Marah Goff won the ISAACS award for student choreography for its production of “Grease.” The production also was honored as runner-up for best dance for “Born to Hand Jive.” Courtesy photo
- Great Commission School’s stage crew for its production of “Fiddler on the Roof” won the ISAACS award for best student crew on Sunday at the Mishler Theatre. Great Commission was honored as runner-up for student design for set design by Madeline Buck, Aly Miller and Solamae Eilenberger. Courtesy photo

The cast and crew of Hollidaysburg Area High School’s production of “Les Miserables” pose on the Mishler Theatre stage after their win for best production on Saturday at Altoona Community Theatre’s ISAACS. Mirror photo by Cynthia Wise
Altoona Community Theatre’s 2025 ISAACS were presented Saturday and Sunday at the Mishler Theatre.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ISAACS, ACT honors excellence in all aspects of local high school musical theater. The event’s popularity has grown so large that ACT expanded the event to two nights to accommodate the number of schools wishing to participate. Each night had winners announced in individual categories, meaning there were two equal winners announced for each category over the weekend.
Each year, the ISAACS distributes more than $60,000 in college scholarships to students participating in their high school musicals, underwritten by title sponsor Reliance Bank and others, including Penn State Altoona, Mount Aloysius College, Juniata College and Saint Francis University. The Steven C. Helsel Legacy Scholarship was awarded to a graduating senior each night who has been actively involved in some capacity with ACT. In addition, Bill and Ann Benzel presented each of the 18 schools in the ISAACS with $500 for their upcoming production budgets,with two schools each night receiving an additional $500 in “Benzel Bucks.”
The 2025 ISAACS featured 18 schools from a six-county area — Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield and Huntingdon.
During the year, panels of judges from ACT view the schools’ musicals and determine the nominations in a variety of production and individual categories, the winners of which were announced on stage at the Mishler between musical numbers from each school’s entry.

ISAACS individual winners from Hollidaysburg Area School District’s production of “Les Miserables” included Jack Peterson for best lead actor in a male role and Alice Haslam for best supporting actor in a female role. Runner-up winners included Nora Stanek, best lead actor in a female role, and Benjamin Gervinski as best supporting actor in a male role. Courtesy photo
More information about the ISAACS can be found at altoonacommunitytheatre.com/isaac-awards
Saturday, May 24, ISAACS
The schools participating on Saturday’s ISAACS nominations were:
Altoona Area High School, Altoona
Bellwood-Antis High School, Bellwood

The cast and crew of Altoona Area High School’s production of “The Little Mermaid” pose for a photo after being awarded runner-up for best production on Saturday at the Mishler Theatre. Mirror photo by Cynthia Wise
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg
Bishop Guilfoyle Academy, Altoona
Cambria Heights High School, Patton
Forest Hills High School, Sidman
Hollidaysburg Area High School, Hollidaysburg

Courtesy photo Altoona Area High School’s production of “The Little Mermaid” took top ISAACS honors for best ensemble for The Mersisters ensemble, seen with Camille Krug as Flounder, Jillian Pierannunzio as Ariel and Trevor Wilson as Sebastian. Mersisters ensemble members were (front left) Ava Conrad, Laura Reed and Madison Aboud and (second row from left) Gabrielle Beldin and Olivia Behe. Not pictured is Karinna Wolfe. Courtesy photo
Huntingdon Area High School, Huntingdon
West Branch Area High School, Morrisdale
Performance Nominees
Best lead actor in a male role:
Winner: Jack Peterson — Jean Valjean — “Les Miserables” — Hollidaysburg Area High School

Glendale Junior/Senior High School won best production for “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” at Altoona Community Theatre’s ISAACS awards on Sunday at the Mishler Theatre. Glendale was also honored with the top award for student design by Kara Smith for set design and construction. Brenden Luongo was the winner for best lead actor in a male role and Sarabeth Lloyd was named runner-up for best lead actor in a female role. Courtesy photo
Runner-up: Owen Carmel — Prince Eric — “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Nominees:
Jacob Caracciolo — Shrek — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
Andrew Ostinowsky — Joseph — “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” — Bishop Carroll
Brogan Little — The Cat in the Hat — “Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School

Central High School’s Marah Goff won the ISAACS award for student choreography for its production of “Grease.” The production also was honored as runner-up for best dance for “Born to Hand Jive.” Courtesy photo
Best lead actor in a female role
Winner: Kendra Karabinos — Morticia Addams — “The Addams Family” — Cambria Heights High School
Runner-up: Nora Stanek — Cosette (grown-up) — “Les Miserables” — Hollidaysburg Area High School
Nominees:
Jillian Pierannunzio — Ariel — “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Gianna “Gigi” Juart — Fiona — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
Ashleigha Grossi — Katherine Blake — “Freaky Friday” — West Branch Area High School
Best supporting actor in a male role
Winner: Derek Stivers — Lord Farquaad — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
Runner-up: Benjamin Gervinski — Inspector Javert — “Les Miserables” — Hollidaysburg Area High School
Nominees:
Trevor Wilson — Sebastian — “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Christian “Chug” Jennings — Donkey — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
Brady Young — Horton — “Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School
Best supporting actor in a female role
Winner: Alice Haslam — Fantine — “Les Miserables” — Hollidaysburg Area High School
Runner-up: Skylar Rutherford — Ursula — “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Nominees:
Kaitlyn Link — Veruca Salt — “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” — Bishop Guilfoyle Academy
Solana Nastase — Alice Beineke — “The Addams Family” — Cambria Heights High School
Vivian Sieber — Gertrude McFuzz — “Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School
Best featured actor
Winner: Arwen Hartman — Eponine — “Les Miserables” — Hollidaysburg Area High School
Runner-up: Layla Smith — Mayzie La Bird — “Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School
Nominees:
Halee Young — Dragon — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
Bianca Melger — Violet
Beauregarde — “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” — Bishop Guilfoyle Academy
Aubrey Smaich — Erma —
“Anything Goes” — Forest Hills High School
Best ensemble
Winner: The Mersisters — “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Runner-up: Bird Girls — “Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School
Nominees:
Flotsam & Jetsam — “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Fairy Tale Characters — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
The Ancestors — “The Addams Family” — Cambria Heights High School
Best dance or dancer(s)
Winner: “Anything Goes” — “Anything Goes” — Forest Hills High School
Runner-up: “Morning Person” — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
Nominees:
“Veruca’s Nutcracker: Sweet!” — “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” — Bishop Guilfoyle
“Secrets” — “The Addams
Family” — Cambria Heights High School
“Solla Sollew” — “Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School
Achievement in Design Nominees
Student choreography:
Winner: Huntingdon Area High School — “Seussical,” Jillian Tanner, Sara Simone and Liliana Scott
Runner-up: Bishop Guilfoyle Academy — “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Kaitlyn Link and Nina Gingrich
Nominees:
Altoona Area High School — “The Little Mermaid,” Emily Pentland and Olivia Behe
Bishop Carroll High School — “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Mackenzie Rezk
Cambria Heights High School — “The Addams Family,” Brianna Bailey and Solana Nastase
Forest Hills High School — “Anything Goes,” Julia Stombaugh
Hollidaysburg Area High School — “Les Miserables,” Alaina Stump
West Branch High School — “Freaky Friday,” Emily Shingledecker, Keagan Dobo and Samantha Stencil
Student design:
Winner: Altoona Area High School — “The Little Mermaid,” Owen Carmel for costume design for entire show
Runner-up: Huntingdon Area High School — “Seussical,” Hope Stubbs for proscenium and Cloverfield backdrop design
Nominees:
Bishop Carroll High School — “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Andrew Ostinowsky, Mackenzie Rezk and Ella Beiswenger for set painting & design
Bishop Guilfoyle Academy — “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Julia Wesner for Mrs. Gloop costume design
Forest Hills High School — “Anything Goes,” Sarah Bodenschatz for lighting design and light board operation
Hollidaysburg Area High School — “Les Miserables,” Rachel Daras for graphic design of posters & programs
West Branch High School — “Freaky Friday,” Ella Slabon, Hilde Lautier, Juliette Hall and Codee Foster for set design & construction
Student crew:
Winner: Forest Hills High School — “Anything Goes,” Stage Crew
Runner-up: Altoona Area High School — “The Little Mermaid,” Stage Crew and Fly Crew
Nominees:
Bishop Carroll High School — “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,”Stage Crew (Elaina Smith — Stage Manager)
Bishop Guilfoyle Academy — “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Corinne Wesner (SM), Julia Wesner (ASM), Rylee Swander (ASM) and Leo Dangler (Student Tech Director)
Cambria Heights High School — “The Addams Family,” Riley Hall and Ace Johnston — Stage Managers
Hollidaysburg Area High School — “Les Miserables,” Stage Crew
Huntingdon Area High School — “Seussical,” Stage Crew
West Branch High School — “Freaky Friday,” Stage Crew
Best production/musical number
Winner: “Under the Sea” — “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Runner-up: “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!” — “Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School
Nominees:
“What’s Up, Duloc?” — “Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
“When You’re an Addams” — “The Addams Family” —
Cambria Heights High School
“One Day More” — “Les Miserables” — Hollidaysburg Area High School
Best production
Winner: “Les Miserables” — Hollidaysburg Area High School
Runner-up: “The Little Mermaid” — Altoona Area High School
Nominees:
“Shrek” — Bellwood-Antis High School
“The Addams Family” — Cambria Heights High School
“Seussical” — Huntingdon Area High School
Saturday MVP Awards
Each participating school selects a cast or crew member to be recognized as their production’s ISAACS MVP. MVP recipients announced Saturday were:
Altoona Area High School — Laila Wilkinson
Bellwood-Antis High School — Tanner Swogger
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School — Mackenzie Rezk
Bishop Guilfoyle Academy — Corinne Wesner
Cambria Heights High School — Lucas Demi
Forest Hills High School — Noah Corbett
Hollidaysburg Area High School — Gideon Karn
Huntingdon Area High School — Jaz Taylor
West Branch Area High School — Xavier Coudriet
SUNDAY, MAY 28, ISAACS
The schools participating on Sunday’s ISAACS nominations were:
Bellefonte Area High School, Bellefonte
Central High School, Martinsburg
Glendale Jr/Sr High School, Flinton
Great Commission School, Altoona
Moshannon Valley High School, Houtzdale
Philipsburg-Osceola High School, Philipsburg
Tussey Mountain High School, Saxton
Tyrone Area High School, Tyrone
State College Area High School, State College.
Performance Nominees
Best lead actor in a male role
Winner: Brenden Luongo — Orpheus — “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Runner-up: Austin Garcia — Trunchbull — “Matilda the Musical” — Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Nominees:
Daniel Kurty — Tevye — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Great Commission School
Evan Shondeck — Caldwell B. Cladwell — “Urinetown” — State College Area High School
Noah Peck — Abner Yokum — “Li’l Abner” — Tussey Mountain High School
Best lead actor in a female role
Winner: Erin Ashe — Golde — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Bellefonte Area High School
Runner-up: Sarabeth Lloyd — Eurydice — “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Nominees:
Addison Kelly — Hermes — “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Finn Parish — Matilda Wormwood — “Matilda the Musical” — Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Tessa Morningstar — Daisy Mae — “Li’l Abner” — Tussey Mountain High School
Best supporting actor in a male role:
Winner: Luca Snyder — Officer Lockstock — “Urinetown” — State College Area High School
Runner-up: Trip Worthington — Hades — “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Nominees:
Grant Michael — Motel — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Great Commission School
Eli Hoy — Mr. Wormwood — “Matilda the Musical” — Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Reilly Rawlings — Uncle Fester — “The Addams Family” — Tyrone Area High School
Best supporting actor in a female role
Winner: Emily Schreffler — Hodel — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Bellefonte Area High School
Runner-up: Olivia Frank — Persephone — “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Nominees:
Callie Smith — Jan — “Grease” — Central High School
Maddie Powell — Pennywise — “Urinetown” — State College Area High School
Ruthie Fields — Mammy Yokum — “Li’l Abner” — Tussey Mountain High School
Best featured actor
Winner: Jane Burgess — Yente — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Bellefonte Area High School
Runner-up: Joe Angelovic — Michael Wormwood — “Matilda the Musical” — Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Nominees:
Jalyn Meckley — Fruma-Sarah — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Bellefonte Area High School
Micah Simpson — Teen Angel/Johnny Casino — “Grease” — Central High School
Emma Webb — Clarisse — “The Lightning Thief” — Moshannon Valley High School
Best ensemble
Winner: The Fates — “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Runner-up: The Law — “Urinetown” — State College Area High School
Nominees:
Pink Ladies — “Grease” — Central High School
Little Kids Ensemble — “Matilda the Musical” — Philipsburg-Osceola High School
The Ancestors — “The Addams Family” — Tyrone Area High School
Best dance or dancer(s)
Winner: “To Life” — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Bellefonte Area High School
Runner-up: “Born to Hand Jive” — “Grease” — Central High School
Nominees:
“Wedding Dance” — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Great Commission School
“Sadie Hawkins Day Ballet” — “Li’l Abner” — Tussey Mountain High School
“When You’re an Addams” — “The Addams Family” — Tyrone Area High School
Achievement in Design nominees
Student choreography:
Winner: Central High School — “Grease,” Marah Goff
Runner-up: Philipsburg-Osceola High School — “Matilda the Musical,” Ellie Slogosky and Evey Raker
Nominees:
Bellefonte Area High School — “Fiddler on the Roof,” Samantha Nedrow and Allayna Whitehill
Great Commission School — “Fiddler on the Roof,” Elijah Michael, Grant Michael and Daniel Kurty
Moshannon Valley High School — “The Lightning Thief,” Mady Kay, Reagan Wharton, Emma Webb, Abigail Caldwell
State College Area High School — “Urinetown,” Audrey Shaner and Bri Dzyak
Tussey Mountain High School — “Li’l Abner,” Barrett Brode
Tyrone Area High School — “The Addams Family,” Rose McKernan
Student design:
Winner: Glendale Jr/Sr High School — “Hadestown (Teen Edition),” Kara Smith for set design and construction
Runner-up: Great Commission School — “Fiddler on the Roof,” Madeline Buck, Aly Miller, Solamae Eilenberger for set design
Nominees:
Bellefonte Area High School — “Fiddler on the Roof,” Kay Miller for lighting design
State College Area High School — “Urinetown,” Jenny Heim for hair & makeup design
Tussey Mountain High School — “Li’l Abner,” Noah Peck for set design
Tyrone Area High School — “The Addams Family,” Hailey Wood for Morticia’s boudoir design.
Student crew:
Winner: Great Commission School — “Fiddler on the Roof,” Stage crew
Runner-up: State College Area High School — “Urinetown,” Ivan Atwood, Jessie Cozine, Eros Hernandez and Alex Seisler for set construction
Nominees:
Bellefonte Area High School — “Fiddler on the Roof,” Props Crew
Central High School — “Grease,” Stage Crew
Moshannon Valley High School — “The Lightning Thief,” Abigail Caldwell, Abbie Twoey, Nayah Grogan for set painting and columns
Philipsburg-Osceola High School — “Matilda the Musical,” Stage Crew led by Stage Managers Belle “E” Paul, Layla Westwood and Mya Hartman
Tussey Mountain High School — “Li’l Abner,” Barrett Brode and Tucker Morningstar, student direction & set construction
Best production/musical number
Winner: “Sabbath Prayer” — “Fiddler on the Roof” — Bellefonte Area High School
Runner-up: “Nothing Changes” — “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Nominees:
“Summer Nights” — “Grease” — Central High School
“The Hammer” — “Matilda the Musical” — Philipsburg-Osceola High School
“Run, Freedom, Run” — “Urinetown” — State College Area High School
Best production
Winner: “Hadestown (Teen Edition)” — Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Runner-up: “Fiddler on the Roof” — Bellefonte Area High School
Nominees:
“Grease” — Central High School
“Matilda the Musical” — Philipsburg-Osceola High School
“Urinetown” — State College Area High School
Sunday MVP Awards
Each participating school selects a cast or crew member to be recognized as their production’s ISAACs MVP. MVP recipients announced Sunday were:
Bellefonte Area High School — Cassidy Beauton
Central High School — Marah Goff
Glendale Jr/Sr High School — Gabriel Rhoades
Great Commission School — Lily Hildebrand
Moshannon Valley High School — Abigale Twoey
Philipsburg-Osceola High School — Ellie Slogosky
Tussey Mountain High School — Tucker Morningstar
Tyrone Area High School — Ethan Cooley
State College Area High School — Addie Marshall

Great Commission School’s stage crew for its production of “Fiddler on the Roof” won the ISAACS award for best student crew on Sunday at the Mishler Theatre. Great Commission was honored as runner-up for student design for set design by Madeline Buck, Aly Miller and Solamae Eilenberger. Courtesy photo