ACT’s 2026 ISAACS will be presented Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, in the historic Mishler Theatre.

This year is the 21st annual ISAACS Awards, the popularity of which has grown so large that ACT has expanded the event to two nights to accommodate the number of schools wishing to participate. Each night has its independent winners, meaning there will be two equal winners announced for each category over the weekend.

Tickets to the event are sold to the participating schools for their entire group. Family and friends wishing to attend the ceremony should contact their school for a ticket.

Each year The ISAACS distributes more than $60,000 in college scholarships to students participating in their high school musicals.

Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School received nine ISAAC Award nominations for its production of “Into the Woods.” Courtesy photo

The 2026 ISAACS will feature 18 schools from a six-county area (Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon). During the year, two 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 will be announced onstage at the Mishler between musical numbers from each school’s entry.

More information about the ISAACS can be found at altoonacommunitytheatre.com/isaac-awards

The schools and individual students for this year’s ISAACS nominations are:

Saturday, May 23, ISAACS

Achievement in design nominations

Great Commission School is nominated for multiple ISAAC Awards for its production of “Singin’ in the Rain.” Courtesy photo

Student choreography:

Altoona Area High School – “The Secret Garden” – Emma Lang, Lillian Goodman, Aubrey Huber for “Prologue”

Bellefonte Area High School – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Samantha Nedrow

Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School – “Into the Woods” – Paislee Lloyd (for Bird Sequence during the Prologue)

Huntingdon Area High School – “The Addams Family” – Jillian Tanner

Southern Huntingdon Area High School/Middle School – “Disney’s Frozen” – Madelynn Irvin for “Let it Go”

West Branch High School – “Cameron

Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins” – Emily Shingledecker and Aubree Good for “Jolly Holiday”

Student design:

Altoona Area High School – “The Secret Garden” – Owen Carmel for Costume Design

Bellefonte Area High School – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Sierra Kolk for Scenic Design

Bellwood-Antis High School – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Lily Briggs for Prop Design and Construction

Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School – “Into the Woods” – Israel Hartman for Design and Operation of the Milky White puppet

Huntingdon Area High School – “The Addams Family” – Emilie Hayden for Proscenium Painting

Southern Huntingdon Area High School/Middle School – “Disney’s Frozen” – Kara Harper for Logo Design

West Branch High School – “Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins” – Ella Slabon, Codee Foster, Hilde Lautier, Juliette Hall, Ali McCamley, Lillian DeMoss and Evan Wooster for Set Construction & Painting and Prop Design

Student crew:

Altoona Area High School – “The Secret Garden” – Stage Crew

Bellefonte Area High School – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Nick Confer and Sofa Malee for Lighting Design & Operation.

Bellwood-Antis High School – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Lily Briggs, Student Stage Manager; Dean Hoffer, Crew; Lucas Fulmer and Thad Norton as Audrey II Puppeteers.

Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School – “Into the Woods” – Stage Crew

Huntingdon Area High School – “The Addams Family” – Student Stage Crew and Spotlight Operators

Southern Huntingdon Area High School/Middle School – “Disney’s Frozen” – Blake Wible, Macy Book and Jakenzy Benson for Set Construction & Painting

West Branch High School – “Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins” – Ella Slabon, Codee Foster, Hilde Lautier, Juliette Hall, Ali McCamley, Lillian DeMoss and Evan Wooster – Stage Crew

Performance nominations

Best lead actor in a male role:

Owen Carmel – Archibald Craven – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

Aran Corey – The Baker – “Into the Woods” – Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School

Brogan Little – Gomez Addams – “The Addams Family” – Huntingdon Area High School

Collin Matthews – Seymour Krelborn – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

Tony Swander – Lonny Barnett – “Rock of Ages” – Cambria Heights High School

Best lead actor in a female role:

Lily Burns – Audrey – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

Lila Eamigh – Mary Lennox – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

Alice Haslam – The Baker’s Wife – “Into the Woods” – Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School

Emily Schreffler – Janet Van De Graaff – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Bellefonte Area High School

Braylinne Shaw – Princess Winnifred – “Once Upon a Mattress” – Tyrone Area High School

Best supporting actor in a male role:

Christian Jennings – Audrey II – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

Zach McCamley – Aldolpho – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Bellefonte Area High School

Logan Schaffer – Dr. Neville Craven – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

Lucas Snyder – Stacee Jaxx – “Rock of Ages” – Cambria Heights High School

Greg Wenzel – Dickon – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

Best supporting actor in a female role:

Gabrielle Beldin – Lily Craven – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

Sydney Hinish – Little Red Ridinghood – “Into the Woods” – Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School

Camille Krug – Martha – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

Jalyn Meckley – The Drowsy Chaperone – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Bellefonte Area High School

Layla Smith – Wednesday Addams – “The Addams Family” – Huntingdon Area High School

Best featured actor:

Connor Beeler – Oaken – “Disney’s Frozen” – Southern Huntingdon Area High School/Middle School

Takota Bracken – Franz Klinemann – “Rock of Ages” – Cambria Heights High School

Shalee Hoover – Bird Woman/Miss Andrew – “Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins” – West Branch High School

Tristin Riva – Orin Scrivello – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

Leah Solomon – Alice Beineke – “The Addams Family” – Huntingdon Area High School

Best ensemble:

The Dreamers Ensemble – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

Tottendale and Underling – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Bellefonte Area High School

The Urchins – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

The Princes – “Into the Woods” – Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School

The Ancestors – “The Addams Family” – Huntingdon Area High School

Best dance or dancer(s):

“Prologue” – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

“Cold Feets” – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Bellefonte Area High School

“Skid Row (Downtown)” – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

“Tango De Amor” – “The Addams Family” – Huntingdon Area High School

“Spanish Panic” – “Once Upon a Mattress” – Tyrone Area High School

Best musical number:

“How Could I Ever Know” – “The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

“Suddenly Seymour” – “Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

“Act II Finale” – “Into the Woods” – Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School

“When You’re An Addams” – “The Addams Family” – Huntingdon Area High School

“Happily Ever After” – “Once Upon a Mattress” – Tyrone Area High School

Best production:

“The Secret Garden” – Altoona Area High School

“The Drowsy Chaperone” – Bellefonte Area High School

“Little Shop of Horrors” – Bellwood-Antis High School

“Into the Woods” – Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School

“The Addams Family” – Huntingdon Area High School

Sunday, May 24, ISAACS

Achievement in design nominations

Student choreography:

Bishop Carroll Catholic High School – “Disney’s Newsies” – Annika Cassol, Madison Rezk and Taylor Shutty

Bishop Guilfoyle Academy – “The Sound of Music” – Kaitlyn Link

Central High School – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Marah Goff

Great Commission Schools – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Danny Kurty and Grant Michael

Moshannon Valley Junior/Senior High School – “The Wizard of Oz” – Madelyn Kay and Adison Manno

Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School – “Grease” – Grace Henry, Chloe Dunlap, Kyra

DeLucia

Student design:

Bishop Carroll Catholic High School – “Disney’s Newsies” – Andrew Ostinowsky, Ella

Beiswenger, Annika Cassol for Set Painting and Decorating

Bishop Guilfoyle Academy – “The Sound of Music” – Arielle Beisinger for Costume Design

Central High School – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Kaitlyn Olivieri, Scenic Artist

Glendale Jr./Sr. High School – “Disney’s Frozen” – Kara Smith for Set Design, Construction and Painting.

Great Commission Schools – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Alyson Miller for Set Design

Moshannon Valley Junior/Senior High School – “The Wizard of Oz” – Deakon Evans for Scenic Design and Painting.

Student crew:

Bishop Carroll Catholic High School – “Disney’s Newsies” – Elaina Smith, Stage Manager and Crew

Bishop Guilfoyle Academy – “The Sound of Music” – Construction Crew – Ty Halerz, Bianca Melgar, Leah Byrne, Julia Wesner, Dorothy Servello, Rebekah Adams, Caley Halerz, Mary Haigh and Griffen Chwatek

Central High School – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Set and Water Crew

Great Commission Schools – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Stage Crew

Moshannon Valley Junior/Senior High School – “The Wizard of Oz” – Andrew Waslosky and Joey Woodring, Stage Managers

Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School – “Grease” – Stage Crew led by Stage Managers Belle “E” Paul, Anna Walker, Jonah Parsons and Layla Westwood and Stage Crew

Performance nominations

Best lead actor in a male role:

Izzy Boyer – Prince Eric – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Central High School

Roman Cienfuegos – Emmett Forrest – “Legally Blonde The Musical” – State College Area High School

Braydan Jones – Danny Zuko – “Grease” – Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School

Grant Michael – Don Lockwood – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Great Commission Schools

Andrew Ostinowsky – Jack Kelly – “Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Best lead actor in a female role:

Michaela Edson – Kathy Selden – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Great Commission Schools

Marah Goff – Ariel – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Central High School

Grace Henry – Sandy – “Grease” – Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School

Sarabeth Lloyd – Elsa – “Disney’s Frozen” – Glendale Jr./Sr. High School

Hannah Smith – Elle Woods – “Legally Blonde The Musical” – State College Area High School

Best supporting actor in a male role:

Evan Brumbaugh – Sebastian – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Central High School

Alex Krug – Davey – “Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Daniel Kurty – Cosmo Brown – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Great Commission Schools

Johnny Levonick – Kenickie – “Grease” – Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School

Grier Williams – Hunk/Scarecrow – “The Wizard of Oz” – Moshannon Valley Junior/Senior High School

Best supporting actor in a female role:

Claire Campbell – Paulette – “Legally Blonde The Musical” – State College Area High School

Abigail Pelesky – Marty – “Grease” – Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School

Callie Smith – Scuttle – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Central High School

Kayelynn Summers – Lina Lamont – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Great Commission Schools

Reagan Wharton – The Wicked Witch of the West – “The Wizard of Oz” – Moshannon Valley Junior/Senior High School

Best featured actor:

Brianna Clossin – Sister Berthe – “The Sound of Music” – Bishop Guilfoyle Academy

Chloe Gailey – Medda Larkin – “Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Emma Gilbey – Olaf – “Disney’s Frozen” – Glendale Jr./Sr. High School

Elijah Sossong – Crutchie – “Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Rainey Walker – Brooke Wyndham – “Legally Blonde The Musical” – State College Area High School

Best ensemble:

The Newsies – “Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

The Von Trapp Children – “The Sound of Music” – Bishop Guilfoyle Academy

The Trolls – “Disney’s Frozen” – Glendale Jr./Sr. High School

The Burger Palace Boys – “Grease” – Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School

The Greek Chorus – “Legally Blonde The

Musical” – State College Area High School

Best dance or dancer(s):

“Seize the Day” – “Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

“Under the Sea” – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Central High School

“Make ‘Em Laugh” – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Great Commission Schools

“Greased Lightnin'” – “Grease” – Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School

“Whipped Into Shape” – “Legally Blonde The Musical” – State College Area High School

Best musical number:

“Once and For All” – “Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

“Kiss the Girl” – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Central High School

“Singin’ in the Rain” – “Singin’ in the Rain” – Great Commission Schools

“The Merry Old Land of Oz” – “The Wizard of Oz” – Moshannon Valley Junior/Senior High School

“What You Want” – “Legally Blonde The Musical” – State College Area High School

Best production:

“Disney’s Newsies” – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” – Central High School

“Singin’ in the Rain” – Great Commission Schools

“Grease” – Philipsburg-Osceola Senior High School

“Legally Blonde The Musical” – State College Area High School

Special award: The “Rising Star Award”

Colston Chamberlain – Greg Heffley – “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” – Tussey Mountain Middle/High School