HS Theater nominated for 15 Spotlight Awards
Congratulations to Claudia Bennett '20, Sam Horner '20, Jake Rybczyk '20, Hannah West '20, Theo Yemm '22, and the entire cast & crew of "Legally Blonde the Musical."
By Lillian Palmer, HS Theater Director
USN High School Theater presented "Legally Blonde the Musical" in November as its fall musical and has received 15 Spotlight Award nominations. Presented by the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Lipscomb University’s College of Entertainment and the Arts, the Spotlight Awards are dedicated to honoring the talents, friendship, and educational endeavors of high school theater students. Thirty-one Middle Tennessee schools competed their musicals this school year for a chance for students to win scholarships and attend The Jimmy Awards, honoring the most talented high school actors and actresses from across the nation, in New York City. Awards will be announced 7 p.m. Saturday, June 13. Here are USN's nominations:
Outstanding Lead: Claudia Bennett '20
Outstanding Lead: Hannah West '20
Outstanding Female Soloist: Claudia Bennett '20
Outstanding Comedic Actress: Hannah West '20
Outstanding Comedic Actor: Sam Horner '20
Outstanding Ensemble Actor: Theo Yemm '22
Outstanding Male Dancer: Jake Rybczyk '20
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Vocals
Outstanding Lighting Design
Outstanding Set Design
Outstanding Sound Design
Outstanding Technical Execution
Outstanding Direction
Outstanding Musical
Back
USN High School Theater presented "Legally Blonde the Musical" in November as its fall musical and has received 15 Spotlight Award nominations. Presented by the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Lipscomb University’s College of Entertainment and the Arts, the Spotlight Awards are dedicated to honoring the talents, friendship, and educational endeavors of high school theater students. Thirty-one Middle Tennessee schools competed their musicals this school year for a chance for students to win scholarships and attend The Jimmy Awards, honoring the most talented high school actors and actresses from across the nation, in New York City. Awards will be announced 7 p.m. Saturday, June 13. Here are USN's nominations:
Outstanding Lead: Claudia Bennett '20
Outstanding Lead: Hannah West '20
Outstanding Female Soloist: Claudia Bennett '20
Outstanding Comedic Actress: Hannah West '20
Outstanding Comedic Actor: Sam Horner '20
Outstanding Ensemble Actor: Theo Yemm '22
Outstanding Male Dancer: Jake Rybczyk '20
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Vocals
Outstanding Lighting Design
Outstanding Set Design
Outstanding Sound Design
Outstanding Technical Execution
Outstanding Direction
Outstanding Musical
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Summer Camps registration opens January 17
Read MoreDue to technical issues with our website vendor, registration has been postponed to open 5 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026 at usn.org/summer.
Click here to preview the camps USN will offer in 2026 and plan for warmer days. Led by USN faculty and coaches as well as local professionals, flexible morning and afternoon sessions allow either whole or half-day experiences. Opt into lunch, after care, and bus service from West Nashville and East Nashville to our Edgehill Campus.
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.