​The Step In and Stand Out Award

The Garry Ebel Award for Excellence in Theatre

The Step In and Stand Out Award is given to those students who were asked, on short notice, to step into a new role during the run of a show.
2024-2025: not awarded
​2023-2024: Yazlyn Fuentes for "Radium Girls"
                      William Nicholson for "Mamma Mia!"
2022-2023: not awarded
2021-2022: not awarded
2020-2021: Nathanael Walkes for "She Kills Monsters"
2019-2020: Morgan Robinson for "We Are Proud to Present..."
2018-2019: Ava Klein for "Who Will Carry the Word"
2017-2018: Alexander Barham for "Sunday in the Park with George"

Outstanding Newcomer Award

These students may have been new to RLHS Theatre, but they had the work ethic and drive of our veteran members.
2024-2025: Dominique Caesar, William Leal, Judith Nguyen, William Nicholson, Cardín Welch, & Isabel Zapata
2023-2024: Robert Cabarrubias, Angelo Silva, Mark Terrazas,
​                       Tamara Vargas
2022-2023: Isabelle Nicholson and Abraham Palestina
2021-2022: Janeth Gomez, Melanie Mandelke, Noah Meiselwitz,                                         Nycharak Prum
2020-2021: Emily Kabrin and Nathanael Walkes
2018-2019: Adriana Canales, Samantha Cokenower, and Jasmine Gibson

8-Show Award

Given to those seniors who have worked on all eight Mainstage productions during their time at RLHS.
2024-2025: Melanie Mandelke, Zenayda Olvera, & Nycharak Prum
2023-2024: not awarded
2022-2023: Maxwell Mason 
2021-2022: not awarded
2020-2021: not awarded
​2019-2020: Colby Flade and Ariana Hierzer
2018-2019: Hannah Jewitt, John Lew, Jayson McGuire, and Ivy Moore

GReaT Award

This award goes to a graduating senior who has participated in at least two Ghostlight Readers Theatre productions per year or eight total productions. The award is presented for outstanding dedication to lending their voice to those who may find themselves silenced; and to safeguarding and creating safe harbor for those who find themselves targeted because of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, gender identity, or sexual identity.
​2024-2025: Janeth Gomez
2023-2024: not awarded
​2022-2023: Katelynn Seballos and Carolina Vilchis
2021-2022: not awarded 
2019-2020: Chloe Wilson
2018-2019: Skylar Wagner

art by Stephanie Luz (RLHS '12)

Garry Ebel was the director of RLHS Theatre for twenty-six years before his untimely death. In that time, his passion helped to grow our program into what it is today. The winner of this award is a senior who has helped carry on Mr. Ebel's legacy by displaying exceptional dedication to RLHS Theatre, remarkable discipline and preparation, fierce integrity, and a genuine love of the art. 

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Mr. Ebel

2024-2025: Nycharak Prum​
2023-2024: Felix Castro
​2022-2023: Maxwell Mason
​2021-2022: Samantha Cokenower
2020-2021: Ava Klein
​2019-2020: Colby Flade
2018-2019: Hannah Jewitt
2017-2018: Julia Truszkiewicz 
2016-2017: Mya Figueroa
2015-2016: Jacob Menheer

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Thespian of the Year Award

The award goes to a person who best embodies the spirit of the Thespians. They are diligent and willing to do any task asked of them. They strive to make others and the group look their best and are a role model for future generations of Thespians.
2024-2025: Janeth Gomez & Jocelyn Gonzalez
2023-2024: Aileen Escobar
2022-2023: Dante Fernandez
2021-2022: Felix Castro
2020-2021: Katelynn Seballos
​2019-2020: Sonali Masih
2018-2019: Nadia McPherson

Special Awards

2024-2025: THE GOLDEN SEAT. Awarded to Will Cole, who has loyally guarded the lobby, tamed latecomers, handed out programs with flair, and has spent all four years making sure every audience member findstheir golden seat.