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YouthFest 2025 brought together six exceptional youth theatre companies from across the country for three days filled with performances, learning, and connection.

These young artists took the stage at the Des Moines Playhouse to share their work, grow through adjudication, and connect with peers from across the nation. From standout individual performances to powerful ensemble storytelling and creative design, the following award recipients represent the heart, talent, and collaborative spirit of this year’s festival.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of these incredible performers and companies!

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Finalists:

• Emily Bergenroth
• Ty Drullinger
• Stella Hogan
• Jack Whitney
• Indigo Kifer

Winner:

• Indigo Kifer

Outstanding Dance Performance

• "Stay in Your Lane" Dancers - Avinash by Arindam Ghosh (Ebong TheatriX)

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Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Harmonies

• Cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. - Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater, Book by Doug Wright (Landmark Community Theatre)

Outstanding Music Composition

• Judah Brown – Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower (Clark Youth Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by a Rising Star

• Priscilla Roma as Alice – Runaway Princess by Kate Reinders & Paul Gordon (Central Park Players)

Outstanding Achievement in Ensemble Work

• Dark Road by Laura Lundgren Smith – Northern Starz Center for Performing Arts

• Mac Beth by Erica Schmidt – Civic Youth Theatre of Greater Lafayette

• Jiyon Banerjee – Avinash by Arindam Ghosh

• Ash Durham as Macbeth – Mac Beth by Erica Schmidt

• Quinn Findlay as Witch 2 – Mac Beth by Erica Schmidt

• Teagan Guertin as Chef Louis – The Little Mermaid Jr. by Doug Wright, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater

• Sebastien Navis as Dragon – Runaway Princess by Kate Reinders & Paul Gordon

• Eden Navis as Queen – Runaway Princess by Kate Reinders & Paul Gordon

• Cora Paul as Wendy – Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower

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  Suhana Tiwari – Avinash by Arindam Ghosh

• Camila Reyes as Sebastian/Ursula – The Little Mermaid Jr. by Doug Wright, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater

• Mia Tanner as Lise – Dark Road by Laura Lundgren Smith

• Jack Whitney as Slightly – Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower

• Evelyn Zimpfer as Greta – Dark Road by Laura Lundgren Smith

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Backstage Award

• Civic Youth Theatre of Greater Lafayette & the Cast & Crew of Mac Beth by Erica Schmidt
  For outstanding organization, efficiency, and communication

Spirit Award

• Clark Youth Theatre
  For professionalism, flexibility, and dedication in adapting to a major schedule change