Leander ISD theatre students earned several accolades at the 12th annual Heller Awards held on April 16 at the Long Center in Austin.

Leander High School’s Avery Linden won Best Lead Performer – Female Category for her portrayal of Judy Bernly in 9 to 5. Maya Vaughn, also of Leander High School, earned a Company Impact Award.

For the second year in a row, Cedar Park High School’s Charlotte Adair earned the Student Stage Management award for her amazing work on Titanic: The Musical.

The Vista Ridge High School Rangers won Best Musical Direction for their production of Once Upon a Mattress.

Several LISD schools and students also earned training scholarships:

  • Savannah College of Art & Design Summer Intensive: Clair Elam, Glenn HS and Jack Stratton, Vista Ridge HS
  • Collier Talent Agency Consultation: Avery Linden, Leander HS
  • Olden Lighting Consultation: Cedar Park HS

#1LISD Heller Award Nominees & Winners

Best Choreography 

  • Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS

Best Musical Direction

  • WINNER Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS
  • 9 to 5 The Musical | Leander HS
  • Titanic | Cedar Park HS

Best Orchestra

  • Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS
  • Titanic | Cedar Park HS

Best Lighting Design

  • Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS
  • Titanic | Cedar Park HS

Best Costume Design

  • Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS
  • Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS

Best Scenic Design 

  • Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS
  • Chicago: Teen Edition | Vandegrift HS

Best Ensemble 

  • Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS
  • Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS

Best Featured Performer | Individual Category

  • Calleigh Bowers | Milky White | Into the Woods | Tom Glenn HS

Best Supporting Performer | Female Category 

  • Graylin Malwitz | Marie | Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS
  • McKenzie Hecht | Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS
  • Bella Tamayo | Cinderella | Into the Woods | Tom Glenn HS

Best Supporting Performer | Male Category 

  • Reilly Favacho | Jack | Into the Woods | Tom Glenn HS

Best Lead Performer | Female Category 

  • Kinsley Keen | Ella | Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS
  • WINNER Avery Linden | Judy Bernly | 9 to 5 The Musical | Leander HS
  • Chanse Solis | Queen Aggravain | Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS

Best Lead Performer | Male Category 

  • Grayson Levee | Barrett | Titanic | Cedar Park HS
  • Isaiah Barafwala | Topher | Cinderella (Concord Broadway) | Rouse HS

Best Direction

  • Cinderella | Rouse HS
  • Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS

Best Production

  • Cinderella | Rouse HS
  • Once Upon a Mattress | Vista Ridge HS

Student Achievement | Design 

  • Ryan Fontaine | Cedar Park HS
  • Sara Nishimura | Leander HS
  • Mya Barry | Rouse HS
  • Priscilla Burton | Tom Glenn HS
  • Carly Klein | Vista Ridge HS

Student Achievement | Marketing

  • Lily Hardie | Leander HS
  • Emma Bannister | Rouse HS
  • Ava Ludwig | Tom Glenn HS
  • Nicolas Pacelli | Vista Ridge HS

Student Achievement | Stage Management 

  • WINNER Charlotte Adair | Cedar Park HS
  • Mary Shammas | Leander HS
  • Savannah DeVille | Rouse HS
  • Grace Thomas | Tom Glenn HS
  • Kiera Aston | Vista Ridge HS
  • Lourdes Hernandez | Vandegrift HS