Parker Arts Academy

We are incredibly excited to be heading to the Wisconsin Jerry Awards Ceremony this evening and celebrating the amazing accomplishments of our students and productions from this past year.

Tonight, Parker Arts Academy will be represented in several exciting performances, including:
• Jerry ensemble performances 
• Students performing in the Spirit Award Group Number
• Four students performing in the Outstanding Lead Performer Medleys
• The cast of the MTI pilot production of & Juliet: High School Version performing “Blow” on the Overture Hall stage
• lead and supporting final group number 

We could not be more proud of these talented young artists and the hard work, dedication, and passion they have shown throughout the year. Opportunities like this are truly unforgettable and showcase the incredible impact of arts education.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Overture's Jerry Awards for providing opportunities like this for young artists across Wisconsin. The excitement, pride, and love for the performing arts that will fill Overture Hall tonight will create memories our students will carry with them for a lifetime.

Break a leg to all of the performers tonight—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

🗞️ TICKETS ARE OFFICIALLY ON SALE! 🗞️

The School District of Janesville Summer Musical is proud to present Disney’s Newsies!

Join us this July as our talented cast and crew bring the inspiring story of Jack Kelly and the Newsies to life on the stage of the Janesville Performing Arts Center!

📅 Performance Dates
• July 16, 17 & 18 at 6:30 PM
• July 19 at 2:00 PM

🎟️ Purchase Tickets
Online: PAA.LUDUS.COM
Or in person at:
• Knapton Musik Knotes
• Voigt Music Center
• At the Door

📍 Janesville Performing Arts Center
408 S. Main Street
Janesville, WI 53545

Tickets are expected to move quickly, so secure your seats today and come Seize the Day with us! ☀️📰

Congratulations to three of our incredible Parker Arts Academy students on these outstanding accomplishments through the Jerry Awards program!

✨Best of luck to Lylah Beeler as she auditions today for the Jimmy Awards! Lylah was selected as a recipient of an Outstanding Lead Performance Jerry Award and now has the exciting opportunity to audition for the Jimmy Awards! We are so proud of her!

We also want to congratulate two of our fabulous students for being selected to the 2026 Jerry Ensemble, this group consists of students across Wisconsin

✨Congratulations to Allie Jonas for making the Jerry Ensemble for the SECOND year in a row!

✨Congratulations to Ella Roherty for making the Jerry Ensemble for the FIRST time!

We are beyond proud of these three students! Congratulations Lylah, Allie, and Ella!

🗞️Congratulations to the cast of the 2026 SDJ Summer School Musical Production of Disney’s Newsies! 🗞️

We were blown away by the talent, energy, passion, and heart shown at auditions. Every student should be incredibly proud of the work they did throughout the audition process!

We cannot wait to begin rehearsals and start bringing this exciting production to life together this summer. Get ready to “Seize the Day”

This is going to be an unforgettable experience! 📰

🗞️ FINAL CALL FOR AUDITIONS — TOMORROW!! 🗞️

The School District of Janesville is excited to bring Disney’s Newsies to the Janesville Performing Arts Center this summer, and we are looking for talented students from across Wisconsin to join this incredible production! 🎭

Whether you love performing on stage or working behind the scenes, this is your chance to be part of a high-energy Broadway musical filled with powerful storytelling, unforgettable music, and nonstop excitement.

🗓 Auditions: Sunday, May 17
⏰ 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Parker High School Choir Room #1407
3125 Mineral Point Ave, Janesville

🎟 Performances: July 16–19, 2026
📍 Janesville Performing Arts Center

Who Can Audition?
Students entering grades 8–12 during the 2026–27 school year from ANY Wisconsin school district are welcome!

📄 Audition materials and information:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdT4ZnQ5GqPNwu4XP1LNANqJkVRhbw45jjt1mR_AlyA/edit?usp=drivesdk

Now is the time to seize the day and join us for an unforgettable summer of theatre! ☀️📰

Our pilot production of & Juliet: High School Version has been selected as an Outstanding Musical recipient at the 2026 Jerry Awards! 🎭

This production was truly something special. From the powerhouse vocals and heartfelt performances to the choreography, staging, flying effects, scenic elements, lighting, costumes, hair & makeup, sound, crew, and every technical moment — this show came to life because of an incredible team of students, staff, designers, and volunteers who poured their hearts into every second of it.

2026 Jerry Awards Recognition:
🏆 Outstanding Musical

🏆 Outstanding Lead Performance
• Max Chitek — May
• Abigail Dalton — Anne
• Alexandra Jonas — Juliet

🏆 Spirit Award
• Christian Baker & Stephany Furan

Direction — Colin Swanson
Musical Direction — Abby Goodhall & Matt Knutson
Choreography — Dijon Kirkland
Scenic Design — Stephen Menard & Colin Swanson
Lighting Design — Blaine Rakowski & Colin Swanson
Costume Design — Amber Fornstedt, Alison Lozar & Colin Swanson
Sound Design — Max Levine

We are beyond proud of this company and cannot wait to bring a slice of & Juliet to the stage of the Overture Center on June 7! 💜

The Parker Arts Academy is incredibly proud to celebrate our 2026 Jerry Awards recipients from the second musical of our 2025–2026 season, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! 💛

Congratulations to:

🎭 Lylah Beeler — Outstanding Lead Performance as Lucy Van Pelt

🎭 Makayla Colby & Ella Roherty — Spirit Award

We are so proud of these students and the joy, heart, and talent they brought to the stage. Congratulations on this incredible and well-deserved recognition! ✨

The Parker Arts Academy is incredibly proud to celebrate our 2026 Jerry Awards recipients from the first musical of our 2025–2026 season, The Wizard of Oz! ✨

Congratulations to:

🎭 Max Chitek — Outstanding Dance Performance

🎭 Quinn Colstad & Laynee Robertson — Spirit Award

🎭 Amber Forstedt & Alison Lozar — Outstanding Costume Design

We are so proud of the talent, creativity, leadership, and heart these students and designers brought to our stage this season. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🌪️👠

What an incredible honor for the Parker Arts Academy! 💙✨

We are beyond proud to celebrate all of our 2026 Jerry Awards recipients.

These accomplishments reflect the unbelievable talent, collaboration, and heart within our program. Watching our students grow as performers, artists, leaders, and storytellers continues to be the greatest reward of all.

Thank you to the Jerry Awards program, our administration, our families, our community, and everyone who supported the Parker Arts Academy musical season, We are so grateful for this recognition and so excited for what’s ahead for Parker Arts Academy Theatre.

Congratulations to every recipient across the state — what an amazing celebration of student theatre! 🎭

Wizard of Oz - 2026 Jerry Awards

Outstanding Dance Performance
• Max Chitek - Ensemble

Spirit Award: Quinn Colstad & Laynee Robertson

Outstanding Costume Design: Amber Forstedt & Alison Lozar

Charlie Brown - 2026 Jerry Awards

Outstanding Lead Performance
• Lylah Beeler - Lucy Van Pelt

Spirit Award: Makayla Colby & Ella Roherty

& Juliet 2026 Jerry Awards

Outstanding Musical

Outstanding Lead Performance
Max Chitek - May
Abigail Dalton - Anne
Alexandra Jonas - Juliet

Spirit Award: Christian Baker & Stephany Furan

Direction: Colin Swanson
Musical Direction: Abby Goodhall, Matt Knutson
Choreography: Dijon Kirkland
Scenic Design: Stephen Menard & Colin Swanson Lighting Design: Blaine Rakowski & Colin Swanson
Costume Design: Amber Fornstedt, Alison Lozar, Colin Swanson Sound Design: Max Levine