Ahead of this year’s Bobby G Awards, the DCPA’s annual celebration of high school musical theatre, meet the ten Lead Performer nominees. During the ceremony, taking place on May 16 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, these students will sing an original medley kicked off by last year’s Lead Performer winners, Gabi Karl and Caleb Kezeor.

The two Bobby G Lead Performer winners will head to the Jimmy Awards on Broadway to represent Colorado in the national musical theatre competition. After a week in workshops with Broadway professionals, they will perform in the Minskoff Theatre on June 23. The Jimmy Awards have kickstarted the careers for many artists, including Reneé Rapp (Mean Girls) and Andrew Barth Feldman (No Hard Feelings).

The 2025 Bobby G Lead Performer nominees are Nathaniel Bicha, Kayden Deagle, Grayson Graham, Marcus Grattan, Laya Greenacre, Elliet Johnson, Maylis Morales Ortega, Noah Oury, Gillian Reynolds, and Hannah Schnorr. The winners will be announced during the ceremony on May 16. Tickets are available now at denvercenter.org.

Nathaniel Bicha

Role: Orpheus
Production: Hadestown: Teen Edition
School: Northfield High School

Nathaniel Bicha was tasked with a challenging feat for his role as Orpheus in Hadestown: Teen Edition. On top of learning lines and lyrics, dancing and staging – all the items actors typically pick up in a leading role – Bicha also needed to learn to play guitar. “I started learning a few weeks before performing in front of an audience,” he said. “I was nervous before we started performing but once we got into the show, I was calmer about it.” The result? “I would never put down the guitar after this.”

Based on the ancient Greek myth, a young man named Orpheus, struggling in poverty, finds solace in his music and his love for Eurydice. “Orpheus is a naive but passionate musician who wants to change the world with his song of love,” Bicha said. When Eurydice leaves for a chance at a better life, Orpheus must risk everything to bring her back from the Underworld.

Bicha has been a part of the theatre community for several years, partial to the performing arts through his musical family. “My family is full of singers and musicians, so being in a show such as this seemed very fitting,” he explained. “Hadestown uses song and dance to fight against the idea of oppression and fight for change to create a better world.”

Bicha plans to participate in all theatre productions at Northfield High School until he graduates next spring. As for the future, he hopes to study screen acting, philosophy, and religious studies at the University of Southern California. The end goal: becoming a professional actor.

Kayden Deagle

Role: Crutchie
Production: Newsies
School: Lutheran High School

Lutheran High School’s production of Newsies featured a hidden comeback: Kayden Deagle in the role of Crutchie. Once cast in his middle school’s production of Newsies, the pandemic shut down the show before performances began. But now, Deagle has his chance to shine. “It was such a blessing that I got another chance at this role. I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” he said.

Based on the true story of the Newsboys’ Strike in 1899, Newsies follows a group of young newspaper vendors who fight for fair wages and better working conditions. Crutchie, nicknamed for his mobility aid, is a charismatic and beloved member of the newsies group. “His optimistic attitude and determination make him a standout character in the story, especially when he faces tough circumstances, demonstrating that courage and hope can prevail even in the harshest of situations,” Deagle said.

For his first time performing in a leading role in a production, Deagle leaned on his close friendships with castmates – plus, incredibly positive reactions from the audience. “I was super nervous because I feel like Crutchie is such an iconic character and I really wanted to do him justice,” Deagle said. “The sense of pride and accomplishment that you feel after an audience’s applause is simply remarkable. It felt incredible to know that I did the best I could in front of the audience.”

Deagle is headed to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona this fall. He plans to major in marketing and sales but will also pursue a minor in theatre. He said, “I’m so excited to see how far I’ll go in the theater world!”

Grayson Graham

Role: Jack Kelly
Production: Newsies
School: Lutheran High School

Grayson Graham fit right into the role of Jack Kelly in Newsies. As the charming, passionate leader of the newsboy group, Jack sets aside his own dreams of moving away from New York City to lead the fight for fair treatment. “In the end, the newsies triumph, and Jack realizes that everything he ever wanted was already within his reach,” Graham said.

When asked about his experience working on Newsies, Graham spoke often of his castmates, highlighting their successes rather than his own. He mentioned his co-stars, Kayden Deagle and Ivy Howell, both of whom are also nominated for Bobby G Awards. “Everyone in this show stepped it up tenfold this year,” he said. “I know for a fact I wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for each and every one of them backing me up through everything.”

Their support was integral to Graham’s embodiment of Jack Kelly. “I think I initially put way too much pressure on myself during the rehearsal process,” Graham admitted, “to make sure I was doing the character justice and coming across as confident and believable as a leader.” But through leaning on his friends and castmates, Graham realized letting go of his anxiety was exactly what made Jack Kelly come to life.

As a junior, Graham has another year at Lutheran High School to pursue theatre – an extracurricular he wasn’t expecting to continue after graduation. But now, after his experience in Newsies, he may have changed his mind. He said, “My love for theatre has been reborn and re-energized. I’m going to keep exploring it in college and see where it leads.”

Marcus Grattan

Role: Count Vladimir Popov (Vlad)
Production: Anastasia
School: Central High School

Marcus Grattan may have caught the theatre bug through his older brother, Ryan, but he’s carved his own path in the theatre community at Central High School. “I’ve auditioned for every musical since my freshman year, and every play since my sophomore year, which I plan to continue until I graduate,” said Grattan.

Grattan performed as Count Vladimir Popov in Central High School’s Anastasia. Vlad and his partner Dmitry hatch a plot to con the wealthy Dowager Empress into believing her long-lost granddaughter, Anastasia, has returned. Little do they know they’ve found the real Anastasia. “Vlad plays an essential role to all the events of the show, as his connections from old Russia are what allows Anya to be restored to her family and recognized as the princess,” Grattan said.

Portraying a central character wasn’t an intimidating feat for Grattan. “I’ve always wanted to perform onstage in some form,” he explained, a feeling he’s had since kindergarten. Now, that feeling manifests in the Central Thespian Troupe, Chamber Choir, and show choir. “All of the productions I’ve performed in have given me invaluable experiences that I will be forever grateful for.”

But the thing Grattan loves most about performing? His close relationships with his castmates. Spending nearly every day with the same people for months can be tiring, but for Grattan, it’s his motivation to continue pursuing theatre year after year.

As a junior, he has one more year of theatre at Central before taking his next steps forward. Those steps might involve music, theatre, or college for the performing arts. “I’m planning on pursuing any and all opportunities,” Grattan said. What matters most is pursuing his musical passion.

Laya Greenacre

Role: Margaret White
Production: Carrie: The Musical
School: Fossil Ridge High School

In Carrie: The Musical, which follows the dramatic breakdown of an isolated and bullied teenage girl, Margaret White is a religious zealot who controls and abuses her daughter. Laya Greenacre took on the role of Margaret, eager to dive into her first leading role in a production at Fossil Ridge High School. Perhaps still a bit in character, Greenacre stated, “Carrie is my shame. I take out my trauma on her, essentially trying to make her atone for my sins.”

Greenacre has portrayed several mature characters while onstage at Fossil Ridge High School, often cast as mothers in her school productions. But Margaret took her acting skills to another level for this role. “The music for Margaret especially interested me because it was so different from all the other songs in the musical,” Greenacre explained. “I listened to the lyrics and was intrigued by how complex her character was. I thought it would be a great acting challenge because I’ve always wanted to play an antagonist.”

Spoiler alert – Margaret becomes convinced killing Carrie as a religious sacrifice is the only way to save her from damnation. A memory that sticks out from Greenacre’s time with Carrie: The Musical revolves around this pivotal scene. “When I raised my knife to stab Carrie, I heard someone in the audience saying, ‘no, no, no,’ and it made me excited that people were stressing out over my character.” That’s the sign of an actor doing excellent work. “It was the best role ever,” Greenacre said.

After graduating this spring, Greenacre hopes to continue singing, wherever her path may lead her next.

Elliet Johnson

Role: Hermes
Production: Hadestown: Teen Edition
School: The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School

Participating in Hadestown: Teen Edition at The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School meant a lot to Elliet Johnson. Not just for the camaraderie built between the cast and crew, but for her emotional connection to the show. She has seen Hadestown live onstage four times – in addition to her school’s performances. “Hadestown has been my favorite show I’ve ever done,” Johnson said, but later admitted, “it was also the hardest show I’ve ever participated in.”

Often, Hermes’ role in Hadestown is to narrate the events taking place onstage to the audience. It’s a big responsibility, retelling the doomed love story as Orpheus tries to save Eurydice from her dire fate in the Underworld. Johnson was honored with the duty. “Getting to see all the cast’s characters develop was almost magic,” she said. “Above all, I’m just so happy I was able to be in this show.”

Johnson will be forever grateful for the friendships made to last during the rehearsal process. “The production really felt like a family. We all got close, we all loved the show so much,” she said. “It really seemed to bring Hadestown to life.” Besides the natural nervousness that comes with performing, Johnson always found the joy in being onstage with her friends.

Johnson has another year with The Arts Academy before graduating. She intends to pursue theatre after high school and is highly anticipating next year’s theatre season. “I adore performing,” she said. “It’s the thing I love most in the world.”

Maylis Morales Ortega

Role: Eurydice
Production: Hadestown: Teen Edition
School: The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School

Maylis Morales Ortega decided to audition for The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School’s production of Hadestown: Teen Edition because she was hoping it would be a good way to integrate into a new school. The audition led to her first ever leading role, plenty of new friends, and a Bobby G Award nomination.

Her school’s version of Hadestown takes place in a Western-style saloon. Eurydice, a young woman facing famine and poverty, is struggling to survive. She decides to leave for the Underworld, hoping for a better life, leaving her lover Orpheus behind. “Eurydice is afraid to trust others and connect or attach herself to others because of the hardships she’s experienced,” Morales Ortega explained, “but thanks to her journey with Orpheus, she learns to love and see life differently.”

Morales Ortega credits Hadestown with helping her fit in at a new school. “I connect with Eurydice because being new to a school with talented people, it’s hard to feel like you fit in. You feel intimidated and scared, but everyone made me feel so welcomed and special,” she said. Knowing everyone in the cast was putting their best effort forward into making Hadestown the best it could be only enhanced the experience. “Having people care for something I’m passionate about was so refreshing and such a great part of this rehearsal process,” she said.

As a junior, Morales Ortega has another year of high school theatre before taking her next steps. The dream is to make it on Broadway someday. In the meantime, she will continue acting, singing, and dancing as much as possible.

Noah Oury

Role: Hermes
Production: Hadestown: Teen Edition
School: Durango High School

Narrating the story of Orpheus and Eurydice in Hadestown is the heartfelt Hermes – a role played by Noah Oury in Durango High School’s production. “He’s the narrator who knows how the story ends, yet he still hopes each time that it might turn out differently,” Oury said. “It’s a role full of heart, wisdom, and rhythm, and I loved every moment of it.”

Hadestown reimagines the ancient myth through a modern lens, and with New Orleans-style jazz music. Musicality played a huge part in Oury’s portrayal of Hermes, a character with some of the jazziest songs in the score. “My favorite part of the rehearsal process was staging,” Oury explained. “I approached him as a highly expressive character, using my hands, feet, and overall physicality to help tell the story.”

Hermes also helped Oury find his confidence. Though he had portrayed leading characters in other productions, Oury is a naturally nervous performer. With Hermes, Oury felt he finally found a role that could help him open up. “I once had a conversation with an acting friend who told me they never get nervous — and all I could do was laugh,” Oury said. “Despite the nerves, I truly loved performing this character. Every time I stepped on stage, I would enter my own zone and disconnect from the world, focusing completely on the story.”

That confidence has bled into Oury’s own life, persuading him to continue acting after graduating high school this spring. “This role has shown me how much I love storytelling and performance, and I’m committed to continuing to grow my craft.”

Gillian Reynolds

Role: Eurydice
Production: Hadestown: Teen Edition
School: Durango High School

Gillian Reynolds knew exactly what she wanted when she auditioned for Hadestown: Teen Edition. After seeing Hadestown in Denver a couple years ago – an experience that left her speechless – Reynolds put in the work to research the show before auditioning for Durango High School’s production this year. “I have never felt more connected to and in love with a show than this one,” she said.

Hadestown tells an ancient love story with a modern twist, centered around the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice joins Hades in the underworld, hoping to escape the harsh conditions of her life above. Facing the dire consequences of her actions, Eurydice’s lover Orpheus comes to rescue her, determined to get them both out alive.

While challenging, Eurydice was a satisfying and exhilarating role for Reynolds. She will never forget performing her first solo during opening night. “I was definitely nervous every single time I stepped onstage,” she explained. “This song was so nerve-wracking because I was on the stage all alone. I had never gotten applause at the end of a solo song before, and the audience cheered so loudly for me. It was the happiest I have ever felt onstage.”

Besides performing in a leading role, Reynolds also co-choreographed the show (for which Durango High School also received a Bobby G Award nomination). It was a new and exciting experience for Reynolds, creating choreography that flowed well with the story and aesthetic of the production.

Reynolds has one more year with Troupe 1096 before graduating next spring. She is very much looking forward to another year of theatre with friends and welcoming the incoming freshman class.

Hannah Schnorr

Role: Carrie White
Production: Carrie: The Musical
School: Fossil Ridge High School

Returning to the Bobby G Awards Lead Performer category is Hannah Schnorr, who was nominated last year for her portrayal of the Baker’s Wife in Fossil Ridge’s production of Into the Woods. For this go around, she took on an entirely different character: the tortured Carrie White in Carrie: The Musical.

“I have loved this show since the seventh grade,” Schnorr said. “I’ve always had a passion for great Broadway flops.” Based on the Stephen King novel, Carrie: The Musical opened on Broadway in 1988, closing after just 16 previews and five regular performances. Carrie, an awkward teenager, is controlled by her religious mother and bullied by her peers. When she is victim to a cruel prank at prom, Carrie unleashes her vengeance – and telekinetic powers.

“I think that our production of Carrie is unlike any other version you will find,” Schnorr said. “Our creative team was very committed to showcasing our current high school struggles with social media and how bullying isn’t something you can escape or control as easily anymore. We really took the tag line ‘What does it cost to be kind?’ to heart because we wanted the audience to walk away and ask themselves the same question.”

Besides the powerful message behind the production, Schnorr will never forget the iconic prank scene. During the closing performance, her castmates decided to play a little prank of their own. Not just one bucket of ‘blood’ rained down on Schnorr’s head…but two.

Schnorr will head to NYU Tisch this fall to pursue drama. She said, “I am beyond excited to keep learning and growing in this art form that I hold so near and dear to my heart.”