Two Walled Lake Western students nominated for prestigious Sutton Foster Awards

Walled Lake Western’s Olivia Cortez and Isaac Martin have been nominated for the 2024 Sutton Foster Awards for their performances in the Warriors’ rendition of The Wizard of Oz.

Cortez, who played Dorothy Gale, and Martin, who played the Scarecrow, were both recognized for Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role.

“These two being nominated is a testament to their hard work,” said Western music director, Collin Kuss. “Olivia and Isaac have been dedicated to their craft for years and spend hours working on their skills both in and out of class and rehearsals.”

“As a teacher and mentor, I could not be more proud of them, knowing that they carry the name of Walled Lake Western with such pride and love,” added Kuss.

Cortez and Martin will join Walled Lake Central’s Tatiana Goffee and J.J. Rochon, and Walled Lake Northern’s Emily Arabo and Truman Columbus, as well as Michigan’s other nominees for two weekends at Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing, where they will continue to develop their theatre skills in workshops led by industry professionals. At the conclusion of the workshops in May, they will take part in the Sutton Foster Awards Showcase at the Wharton Center on June 1 at 6:30 p.m. During that performance, judges will select Michigan’s two Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role winners. Those two winners will earn a $1,000 cash prize and fly to New York City to compete for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards on June 24 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.