Two students from South Lyon East High School’s drama have been nominated for the Sutton Foster Awards at the finals held at the Wharton Center in East Lansing on Saturday, May 30, at 11:00 a.m. Sophomore Rylie Rork and Senior Julia Austin earned nominations for their recent lead performances in High school Musical.

Rork played Sharpay Evens and Austin played Gabrialla Montez in the recent school musical, and award adjudicators adjudicators came to see them perform during the show. 

There are 3 judges who come and judge based on acting, singing and dancing and pick out of 2 leads who were in the running for the nomination.

The Sutton Foster Awards recognizes talented high school musical theater students from across Michigan. Being nominated is considered a major accomplishment for students involved in theater and performing arts.

Before the finals, the nominees shared how they are feeling about the experience and talked about the songs they will be performing.

Austin said,  “I’m performing Secrets from The Addams Family Musical. I am very nervous about being nominated but it’s been a super fun experience so far to be around so many people that love theater as much as I do.”

Rork said, “I’m performing Roxie From Chicago The Musical. The Sutton Foster Awards, for me, has been a very eye opening experience because it’s helped me get to know more professional people and others who have been doing theater for most of their lives, and I really appreciated getting to surround myself with people who share the same passion as me.”

As the finalists prepare to take the stage at the Wharton Center, both students said they are grateful for the opportunity to represent South Lyon East and share their passion for theater.