Medina High earns six Dazzle Awards nominations for 'Hadestown Teen Edition'

Students recognized in acting, ensemble, technical categories

Four performers in costumes during a theatrical performance.

Medina High School earned six Dazzle Awards nominations for its production of “Hadestown Teen Edition,” with three students set to perform at the May 16 ceremony. Pictured: Lilian Kearns, front, Via Obermeier, left), Celeste Clausing, center and standing, and Reese Goldmeier.

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Published April 29, 2026 - 11:36 a.m. Modified April 30, 2026 - 8:21 a.m.

Medina High School received six Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards nominations for its April 17-19 production of “Hadestown Teen Edition.”

The cast and crew of the contemporary retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, set to New Orleans jazz and blues, received nominations for best choreography execution, best technical execution and best ensemble. Senior Mason Cooper was nominated for best actor for his role as Orpheus, and senior Reese Goldmeier and junior Via Obermeier were nominated for best supporting actress for their roles as the Fates.

Cooper, Goldmeier and Obermeier will perform at the Dazzle Awards ceremony May 16 at the Playhouse Square KeyBank State Theatre, where category winners will be announced.

Actors in colorful costumes perform on stage with dramatic lighting. — Medina High School received Dazzle Awards nominations for best choreography execution, best technical execution, best ensemble, best actor and best supporting actress. Pictured, front: Mason Cooper; from left: Rachel Paffumi, Leo Smith, Allie Heibert, Maya Becker, Dragan Bush and Matthew Hetsler; and in back: Celeste Clausing.

The winner of best actor will advance to the 2026 Jimmy Awards on June 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre in New York City.

This year, 44 high schools across Northeast Ohio participated in the adjudication process, which is part of the National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. Medina has earned 17 nominations since it began participating in the Dazzle Awards in 2021.