The Tyrone Drama Club earned five nominations for the 2025 Isaac Awards, sponsored by the Altoona Community Theatre (ACT).
Tyrone’s Reilly Rawlings, Rosie McKernan, Hailey Wood, Ethan Cooley, and 23 members of the Ancestors ensemble group will find out if they won on Sunday, May 25, at the historic Mischler Theatre in Altoona.
For the last 20 years, the Isaacs have been central Pennsylvania’s scholastic version of the Tony Awards, recognizing excellence on the high school stage.
Productions from 18 schools in a six-county area, including Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, and Huntingdon, were nominated for awards this year.
Reilly Rawlings was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role for his performance as Uncle Fester.
“I am super excited to have been nominated,” said Rawlings, “I wasn’t expecting to get nominated for my first show ever, but I am super grateful, and couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone in Drama Club.”
The fact that this was Rawling’s first part in a musical stood out to Tyrone Drama Club Adviser/Director Jonathan Holmes.
“It’s incredible that Reilly received a nomination for his first performance with the Drama Club. That’s honestly pretty rare,” Holmes said, “We received some nominations for our show, and that’s awesome, but we also came together as a cast, as a club, and as a family to put on one heck of a show. I couldn’t be prouder of my Drama kids. They poured their hearts into the show, and our audience definitely felt it. It was an absolutely tremendous experience.”
Tyrone received another acting nomination for the Ancestors in the Best Ensemble category.
The Ancestors ensemble included Ryder Weaver, Hayden White, Alexis Boozer, Auh’Juah Walker, Paige Carper, Piper Myers, Dakota Miller, Kylie Walters, Peyton Levinson-Riggleman, Ella Narehood, Caydence Dickson, Katelyn Wilson, Piper DeStephano, Braydon Walls, Emily Pedersen, Mia Eger, Emery Cole, Ava Lind, Alayna Daniel, Maggie Montgomery, Gabby Bruder, Leah Wrye, and Hannah Wrye.
Tyrone also received a nomination for Best Dance or Dancer(s) for “When You’re An Addams”
Tyrone Alumnus Abby Christine choreographed all the ensemble songs, such as “When You’re an Addams” and “Full Disclosure.”
“I am so proud of the entire Addams Family Musical cast,” said Christine, “They worked hard and were able to learn the choreography quickly. I loved watching my vision come together.”
They also received two nominations for their behind-the-scenes work.
Senior Rose McKernan was nominated for Best Student Choreography for “Secrets.”
“I have never felt more proud of myself. Lots of hours went into preparing something amazing,” said McKernan, “It would never have happened if it weren’t for my castmates who executed my work gorgeously.”
Senior Hailey Wood was nominated in the Student Design category for Morticia’s Boudoir Design.
“I would like to say that I am very honored to be nominated!” said Wood, “When Mr. Holmes said I was nominated, I was surprised, and I’m excited to see what happens.”
Every year, each participating school chooses a cast or crew member who they think did the best they could have, worked outside of rehearsals, and constantly showed their devotion and hard work on stage. This year, the cast chose senior Ethan Cooley for the MVP Award.
“I feel honored to be chosen as the MVP of the Addams Family. It is special to be recognized by the people that I spent so much time with,” said Cooley, “I will always remember the time spent with such an amazing group and am honored to have been a part of it.”
The Isaacs distribute more than $60,000 in college scholarships annually to students participating in their high school musical and productions.
For a full list of this year’s nominees, click HERE.
The major sponsors of the Isaacs are the Benzel family, Reliance Bank, Penn State Altoona, Mount Aloysius College, Juniata College, Saint Francis University.
This is the 20th anniversary of the ISAACS, the popularity of which has grown so large that ACT has expanded the event to two nights to accommodate the number of schools wishing to participate.
Each night has its independent winners, meaning there will be two equal winners announced for each category over the weekend.
In addition, Bill and Ann Benzel present each of the 18 schools in the ISAACS with $500 for their upcoming production budgets.
The 2025 ISAACS had nominations from 18 schools in a six-county area, including Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, and Huntingdon.
More information about the ISAACS can be found at altoonacommunitytheatre.com/isaac-awards
⭐️SUNDAY, MAY 25⭐️
ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN NOMINEES
🏆STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY:
Bellefonte Area High School – Fiddler on the Roof
Samantha Nedrow and Allayna Whitehill
Central High School – Grease
Marah Goff
Great Commission School – Fiddler on the Roof
Elijah Michael, Grant Michael, and Daniel Kurty
Moshannon Valley High School
Mady Kay, Reagan Wharton, Emma Webb, Abigail Caldwell
Philipsburg-Osceola High School – Matilda the Musical
Ellie Slogosky and Evey Raker
State College Area High School – Urinetown
Audrey Shaner and Bri Dzyak
Tussey Mountain High School – Li’l Abner
Barrett Brode
Tyrone Area High School – The Addams Family
Rose McKernan
🏆STUDENT DESIGN:
Bellefonte Area High School – Fiddler on the Roof
Kay Miller for lighting design
Glendale Jr/Sr High School – Hadestown (Teen Edition)
Kara Smith for set design & construction
Great Commission School – Fiddler on the Roof
Madeline Buck, Aly Miller, Solamae Eilenberger for set design
State College Area High School – Urinetown
Jenny Heim for hair & makeup design
Tussey Mountain High School – Li’l Abner
Noah Peck for set design
Tyrone Area High School – The Addams Family
Hailey Wood for design of Morticia’s boudoir
🏆STUDENT CREW
Bellefonte Area High School – Fiddler on the Roof
Props Crew
Central High School – Grease
Stage Crew
Great Commission School – Fiddler on the Roof
Stage crew
Moshannon Valley High School – The Lightning Thief
Abigail Caldwell, Abbie Twoey, Nayah Grogan for set painting and columns
Philipsburg-Osceola High School – Matilda the Musical
Stage Crew led by Stage Managers Belle “E” Paul, Layla Westwood, and Mya Hartman
State College Area High School – Urinetown
Ivan Atwood, Jessie Cozine, Eros Hernandez, and Alex Seisler for set construction
Tussey Mountain High School – Li’l Abner
Barrett Brode and Tucker Morningstarstudent direction & set construction
🏆BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE
Brenden Luongo – Orpheus – Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Daniel Kurty – Tevye – Fiddler on the Roof – Great Commission School
Austin Garcia – Trunchbull – Matilda the Musical – Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Evan Shondeck – Caldwell B. Cladwell – Urinetown – State College Area High School
Noah Peck – Abner Yokum – Li’l Abner – Tussey Mountain High School
🏆BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE
Erin Ashe – Golde – Fiddler on the Roof – Bellefonte Area High School
Addison Kelly – Hermes – Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Sarabeth Lloyd – Eurydice – Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Finn Parish – Matilda Wormwood – Matilda the Musical – Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Tessa Morningstar – Daisy Mae – Li’l Abner – Tussey Mountain High School
🏆BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE:
Trip Worthington – Hades – Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Grant Michael – Motel – Fiddler on the Roof – Great Commission School
Eli Hoy – Mr. Wormwood – Matilda the Musical – Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Luca Snyder – Officer Lockstock – Urinetown – State College Area High School
Reilly Rawlings – Uncle Fester – The Addams Family – Tyrone Area High School
🏆BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE
Emily Schreffler – Hodel – Fiddler on the Roof – Bellefonte Area High School
Callie Smith – Jan – Grease – Central High School
Olivia Frank – Persephone – Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Maddie Powell – Pennywise – Urinetown – State College Area High School
Ruthie Fields – Mammy Yokum – Li’l Abner – Tussey Mountain High School
🏆BEST FEATURED ACTOR
Jane Burgess – Yente – Fiddler on the Roof – Bellefonte Area High School
Jalyn Meckley – Fruma-Sarah – Fiddler on the Roof – Bellefonte Area High School
Micah Simpson – Teen Angel/Johnny Casino – Grease – Central High School
Emma Webb – Clarisse – The Lightning Thief – Moshannon Valley High School
Joe Angelovic – Michael Wormwood – Matilda the Musical – Philipsburg-Osceola HS
🏆BEST ENSEMBLE
Pink Ladies – Grease – Central High School
The Fates – Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Little Kids Ensemble – Matilda the Musical – Philipsburg-Osceola High School
The Law – Urinetown – State College Area High School
The Ancestors – The Addams Family – Tyrone Area High School
🏆BEST DANCE OR DANCER(S)
“To Life” – Fiddler on the Roof – Bellefonte Area High School
“Born to Hand Jive” – Grease – Central High School
“Wedding Dance” – Fiddler on the Roof – Great Commission School
“Sadie Hawkins Day Ballet” – Li’l Abner – Tussey Mountain High School
“When You’re an Addams” – The Addams Family – Tyrone Area High School
🏆BEST PRODUCTION/MUSICAL NUMBER
“Sabbath Prayer” – Fiddler on the Roof – Bellefonte Area High School
“Summer Nights” – Grease – Central High School
“Nothing Changes” – Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
“The Hammer” – Matilda the Musical – Philipsburg-Osceola High School
“Run, Freedom, Run” – Urinetown – State College Area High School
🏆BEST PRODUCTION
Fiddler on the Roof – Bellefonte Area High School
Grease – Central High School
Hadestown (Teen Edition) – Glendale Jr/Sr High School
Matilda the Musical – Philipsburg-Osceola High School
Urinetown – State College Area High School
