Mid-Week Intermission Friend Edition: Advice for Your First Heller Awards
The 11th Annual Heller Awards for Young Artists are tonight! And if it’s your first time performing at Austin’s Tony Awards, you might be feeling a little nervous. So to get everyone in the mood and feeling confident, we sat down with the incredible performers nominated for Best Lead Female to get the scoop on their signature HAYAdvice™️.
Quiet on stage, please!
Arianna Pierce
School: NYOS Charter School
Favorite Musical: Into the Woods
Advice: My biggest piece of advice would be to take every moment and to really make the most out of the experience, whether you’re in the rehearsal room and you’re learning, or you’re meeting new people, but to really take every single moment that you’re given before being put on stage and use it wisely.
Chloe VanDeGraaf
School: ZACH Performing Arts Academy
Favorite Musical: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Advice: My piece of advice for someone’s first time doing the Heller Awards is to just have so much fun and meet as many new people as you can, because this is such a great opportunity to connect with other people in the Austin area who love theatre as much as you do, and just share your passion with everyone and have a great time together.
Ava Moak
School: Round Rock High School
Favorite Musical: Sweeney Todd
Advice: My piece of advice is if you want to have the most fun, you must work hard and try your best, and that’s how you will have fun.
Sophie Gwaldo
School: Rouse High School
Favorite Musical: Cabaret
Advice: My piece of advice for the Heller Awards would just be to always think ahead. It’s going to be a very busy week and day, and you just wanna know where you are at all times, and what’s going on so you can make the most of your experience.
Taylor Marshall
School: Leander High School
Favorite Musical: Chicago
Advice: Always, always come prepared ’cause you never know what’s gonna happen and stay positive and support everyone.
Dia Rushing
School: Westlake High School
Favorite Musical: Spamalot
Advice: This is my first year doing the HAYA awards in person and not online. So I would say my advice is to really enjoy every moment because, you know, being in person with people, doing the things that you love is a really special opportunity, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Sophia Magnani
School: Dripping Springs High School
Favorite Musical: Funny Girl
Advice: My advice for newcomers is never say you can’t do something.
Ruby Venkatesh
School: LASA High School
Favorite Musical: Wicked
Advice: One piece of advice that I would give to future nominees is just to take it all in while you’re here. The people here are so talented, kind, and supportive, so just spread the love and bask in it. It’s wonderful.
Kaya Shellhammer
School: Jack C. Hays High School
Favorite Musical: Moulin Rouge
Advice: My advice for future Heller Awards attendees is to remember that the work is done and it’s time to really revel in the magic that is live theater, as well as a circumstance that brings everyone who loves it together in one place for one incredible night.
Congratulations to all the performers, crews, teachers, schools, and families who participated! We’ll see ya in Dell Hall real soon; tonight at 7:30 to be exact. Be sure to follow @hellerawardsatx on the social media platform of your choice for school shout outs, behind-the-scenes goodies, and winner announcements!
