2023 Dream Awards Outstanding Lead Actor, Lucas Brown, and Outstanding Lead Actress, Maya Sharma. [Photo by Mary Stucchi]
Maya Sharma from Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton and Lucas Brown from West Boca Raton Community High School performed on June 26 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre after winning the top awards at the Kravis Center’s fourth annual Dream Awards.
Maya was named Outstanding Female Actress, while Lucas won the Outstanding Male Actor award in a competition among more than 135 students from 15 high schools in Palm Beach County.
The two winners are representing Palm Beach County in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, known as the Jimmy Awards. They received all-expenses-paid trips and a week of field studies in preparation for the awards show in New York.
“We take immense pride in Maya, Lucas and the other students who took part in the yearlong adjudication program, earning them the chance to showcase their talents at the Dream Awards,” says Tracy C. Butler, the director of education at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. “The Dream Awards exemplify how the arts can propel young artists to new heights, and the Kravis Center is privileged to back local arts educators and their students. This program illuminates the exceptional performing artists of the next generation within our community.”
The others recognized at the Dream Awards for achievement in musical theater productions are McKayla Martin from The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach, Outstanding Lead Actress Alternate; Antonio Saladino from Boca Raton Community High School, Outstanding Lead Actor Alternate; Devyn Humble from A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Outstanding Stage Management; Leah Harrison from A.W. Dreyfoos, Outstanding Lighting Design; Ryaan Peel from A.W. Dreyfoos, Outstanding Costume Design; Celia Mason from The King’s Academy, Outstanding Supporting Actress; Alejandro Quinones from Boca Raton Community High School, Outstanding Supporting Actor; Marni Gass from West Boca Raton Community High School, Outstanding Ensemble Actress; Aiden Zeitchick from West Boca Raton Community High School, Outstanding Ensemble Actor; Capri Bold from A.W. Dreyfoos, Outstanding Featured Female Dancer; Austin Bailly from A.W. Dreyfoos, Outstanding Featured Male Dancer; and Stephanie Nixdorf from Boca Raton Community High School, Inspiring Theater Educator Award.
A.W. Dreyfoos received the Outstanding Musical Award for its production of “Pippin.”
The Dream Awards judges were Crista Moore, a Broadway, TV and film actress, singer and dancer; Lloyd Culbreath, a choreographer, dancer and lead instructor for the Fosse Master Class Series; and Kevin Covert, a Broadway actor and the chair of musical theater at Shenandoah Conservatory.
The Ricki Gail Conway and the Doris & Stanley Tananbaum Foundation sponsor the Dream Awards. Public and private high schools in Palm Beach County participate in the yearlong program by choosing from an approved list of productions.
