BroadwayWorld-Chicago-Recognizes-RVC-Starlight.php

BroadwayWorld Chicago Recognizes RVC Starlight

  • Awards
  • 12/05/2025
a group of diverse performers in brightly colored costumes

Joshua Lindahl (center) is the title character in The SpongeBob Musical and is one of this year's many nominees

Each summer, the Rock Valley College campus comes alive as five major musicals take center stage on the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre, produced by RVC Starlight Theatre. Excellence is at the heart of this one-of-a-kind outdoor theatre, and that excellence is being recognized with nearly fifty 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Nominations.    

Across 13 categories, 46 RVC Starlight team members have been nominated for their roles in the 2025 season.

“Seeing Starlight recognized across so many BroadwayWorld Award categories is exceedingly gratifying,” said RVC Director of Theatre and Arts Park Christopher D. Brady. “These nominations affirm the artistic ambition, talent, and dedication of the directors, designers, performers, technicians, musicians, staff, and volunteers who bring our work to life each summer.”

RVC Starlight is currently leading several categories, including Favorite Local Theatre. Join us in a round of applause for our talented nominees:

Favorite Local Theatre:

  • RVC Starlight Theatre

Best Choreography of a Play or Musical:

  • Elle Laesch, The Wedding Singer
  • Billy Seger, The SpongeBob Musical
  • Jenny Vause, Grease

Best Costume Design of a Play or Musical:

  • Victoria Benson, Ragtime
  • Bethany Nelson, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Direction of a Musical:

  • Christopher D. Brady, Ragtime
  • Clarissa Dahlhauser, The Wedding Singer
  • Jennifer Thompson, Grease

Best Ensemble:

  • Ragtime
  • Grease
  • The SpongeBob Musical

Best Lighting Design of a Play or Musical:

  • Bryan Rivera, Ragtime
  • Gabrielle Tifft, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Music Direction & Orchestra Performance:

  • Ryan Jensen, Grease
  • Cassie Johnson-McGirk, The Wedding Singer
  • Mark Miller-Cornejo, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Musical:

  • Ragtime
  • The Wedding Singer
  • The SpongeBob Musical
  • Grease

Best Performer in a Musical:

  • Ezra Korn, The Wedding Singer
  • Madison Leeder, Grease
  • Joshua Lindahl, The SpongeBob Musical
  • Alex McIntyre, Ragtime
  • Myriah Saunders, The Wedding Singer
  • Stephanie Souza-Rasmann, Ragtime
  • Robbie Strader, Ragtime
  • Logan Tillman, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Performer in a Play:

  • Mattsen Heller, Julius Caesar

Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical:

  • Brandon Mechler, Ragtime
  • Carmen Turner, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play or Musical:

  • Aaron Hill, The Wedding Singer

Best Supporting Performer in a Musical:

  • Riley Belick, Grease
  • Dorian Dotson, The SpongeBob Musical
  • Mattsen Heller, The Wedding Singer
  • Molly Heller, Grease
  • Eli Oleson, The Wedding Singer
  • Evandia Penix, The SpongeBob Musical
  • Lenijah Smith, Ragtime
  • Robbie Strader, Grease
  • Julia Tassoni, The Wedding Singer
  • Wendy Taylor, Ragtime
  • Lo Villarreal-Black, The Wedding Singer
  • Cierra Weaver, Grease
  • Darby Whitmore, Ragtime
Starlight continues to stand out as one of the 815’s major artistic institutions, and I am proud of how this recognition reflects both the excellence of our theatre and the Blockquote: Can be used as a box to call attention to important text or as a quote. SOMEONE FAMOUS College. It’s exciting to see our community celebrated by so many accolades, and I’m proud of our growth here at RVC Starlight Theatre.
Christopher D. Brady, RVC Director of Theatre & Arts Park

Voting is free! All you need is an email address to vote for your favorite RVC Starlight Theatre individual or production. Cast your vote at BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards and help RVC bring these awards home.

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