Standing Ovation! Schroeder Musicals Shine at Stars of Tomorrow

Webster Schroeder High School's musical theater program lit up the Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL) Stars of Tomorrow Gala on May 9th! Their electrifying performance of selections from Hadestown: Teen Edition captivated a sold-out audience and a panel of judges, earning them a treasure trove of accolades.

Outshining 42 other schools, the Warriors proudly claimed a spot as a Top 10 Large School Production of the Year. Their dedication to excellence was further recognized with Excellence ratings in: Dance Ensemble, Acting Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, Production Crew, Production Design, and Overall Production.

The spotlight also shone brightly on Schroeder's phenomenal lead performers, as all five received Individual Achievement in Performance awards: Ava B. (Eurydice), Maura U. (Persephone), Rory G. (Hades), Alex M. (Hermes), and Rowan M. (Orpheus).

Adding to the excitement, the incredibly talented Ava Brown advanced as a Top 40 finalist in NYC Bound, RBTL’s qualifier for the prestigious Jimmy Awards®! Fans cheered her on at the free event on May 22, at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre, where she made it to the top 20, which meant she had the opportunity to give a stunning performance in front of a packed house! Although she won't be moving on to nationals, Ava brought down the house and reminded everyone why we love live theater.

Behind the scenes, Schroeder's own Brody W. took on the role of student reporter for the evening, giving everyone a backstage pass through RBTL's Instagram stories.

"We are beyond proud of our cast, crew, pit, and creative team for their dedication in bringing this story to life with such passion and power," exclaimed Katie Goodman, Webster Schroeder Musicals’ music director.

The RBTL Stars of Tomorrow program, a cornerstone of the Greater Rochester theater community since 1999, fosters growth, learning, and teamwork in high school musical theater. By providing constructive feedback and a platform for recognition, the program celebrates the dedication and talent of young performers. 

We applaud Webster Schroeder for their continued excellence and wish Ava the best of luck in NYC Bound!