The Shea Performing Arts Center will be hosting 25 schools at the annual Shea Wonder Awards for this academic year.

Of the schools, there are currently three from Chautauqua County and one from Cattaraugus County that will take part – Maple Grove Jr./Sr. High School, Jamestown High School, Southwestern Central High School, and Randolph Jr./Sr. High School. The competition allows for schools that have produced a full-length musical to compete. Each school will have a unique performance. Maple Grove will be putting on Hadestown: Teen Edition, JHS will be doing the Pirates of Penzance, SWCS will be doing Once Upon A Mattress, and Randolph will be putting on Disney’s Newsies.

Performances are graded by a group of five adjudicators, out of the 36 total, who will attend each production and give a grade based on specific categories set by the organization. The categories on the scoring rubric include lead performances, collective ensemble performance, student-led orchestra, collective vocal performance, dance execution, costume design and execution, hair and makeup design and execution, lighting design and execution, scenic design and execution, music direction, choreography, direction, and the showstopper award. The category of the showstopper award recognizes the hard work that went into a favorite musical number of the performing crew. The scores will then be tallied for each separate category. The six highest scoring schools in each category will receive a nomination, and the highest scoring school will win that category.

Participating schools have the potential to win a wide-range of grants from the contest, and also have the potential to qualify for more advanced competitions. There will be a gold, silver and bronze grant awarded for outstanding production of a musical. These grants will award $5,000 to the gold recipient, $2,500 to the silver recipient, and $1,000 to the bronze recipient. There are also seven other grants that schools can receive that will each award $500. These grants are intended to allow the schools to invest further into their theater and arts programs. The top two individual performers from the competition will have the opportunity to participate in the National High School Musical Awards Program, known as the Jimmy Awards. The Jimmy Awards are expected to take place in New York City on June 22, 2026.

Coordinators from the four nearby school districts expressed a great deal of excitement for this opportunity for students to be recognized for their hard work. Administrators expressed an overwhelming joy, from both staff and students, to see so much talent appreciated from a diverse assortment of students. SWCS district Superintendent Molly Moore was one of these administrators that was overjoyed, especially after seeing the participation in the 2024-2025 awards.

“Our students, staff, and community members who participate in our annual musical program experience life-long lessons and memories. Extra-curricular activities such as school musicals provide learning and growing opportunities for our students beyond the classroom. We are fortunate to have a talented group of students and adults that work together to provide a top-notch musical for our community. Participating in the award ceremonies through SHEA is validating and a wonderful way to celebrate the success of this endeavor,” said Moore.

Moore noted that the school won the Outstanding Scenic Design and Execution category last year, and that Southwestern’s Director Christine Beichner-Miller won the Michael She Award for Theater Educator of the Year category. On top of these categories that were won, Moore said the participants were also nominated for five other categories in the competition, and that 10 students participated in an on-stage final dance number. Seeing these students come together not only allows them the chance to have their talents recognized, but also to demonstrate these skills in a new and unique environment, said Moore.

Jamestown Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker and JHS Musical Director Lauren Scharf, also noted the importance and benefits of the student’s participation. Whitaker stated that opportunities such as this allow students to challenge themselves, gain confidence, and grow through collaboration and creativity. Whitaker noted that the competition gives recognition to these students, and the hard work of Scharf and the rest of the musical production crew.

“Being part of the Shea’s Wonder Awards is always an incredible experience for our students, and we are thrilled to participate once again this year. This musical season marks our third consecutive year in the program. Having the opportunity to see other schools’ productions has truly strengthened and inspired our own performances. Our students are especially excited for the chance to perform on the Shea’s stage again,” said Scharf.

Last year, more than 1,500 students had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the competition. Shea’s expanded the participation limit from 20 to 25 schools this year. The Shea Wonder Awards Ceremony will take place at the Shea Buffalo Theater on May 16, 2026.