A Night to Remember: Oakwood High School Theater Honors Its Own at Spotlight Gala

On Friday, May 8, Oakwood High School Theater closed its 2025-2026 season with the Spotlight Gala 2026, a night dedicated to honoring the students who brought a year of productions to life. The evening opened with awards recognizing years of commitment to the program: Debut Awards welcomed first-year performers to the company, Centerstage Awards recognized students with two to three years of dedication, and Marquee Awards celebrated those who had given four full years. Special honors followed: Luke Titi and Brendan Lyle for Set Construction and Design, Hana Cohen and Brennan Klotzbach for Student Choreography, Clara Shem-Tov for the Beyond the Curtain Award, and Klara Klotzbach for the Spotlight Director Award and the Teacher's Assistant Award. The Drama Club then lightened the room with their beloved Fun Awards and the announcement of Calla Cavanagh as next year's club president. The night turned reflective with year-in-review videos for The Play That Goes Wrong and Between the Lines, followed by the eagerly awaited announcement of next year's shows: Murder on the Orient Express and Anastasia. The evening then built to its most emotional moments. Five seniors, Kingston Call, Luke Hansotte, Robin Klingauf, Clara Shem-Tov, and Kayden Wang, were called forward to receive the All Call Award, the program's highest recognition, reserved for students who had been part of every high school production, as part of the senior curtain call tribute. Advanced theater students and seniors closed the formal program with A Little More Homework, sending the audience off to the reception with the song still in the air. Backstage, a quieter tradition unfolded. Mrs. Helvey opened the Candlelight Ceremony and Mrs. Blanchard brought it to its close, lighting each senior's candle as she spoke of their years with the program. One by one, the seniors turned and lit the candles of the underclass students, passing the flame, and the company, into the hands of the next class.

High School Spotlight Gala 2026 photo album