Two Walled Lake Central students nominated for prestigious Sutton Foster Awards

Walled Lake Central’s Tatiana Goffee and J.J. Rochon have been nominated for the 2024 Sutton Foster Awards for their performances in the Vikings’ rendition of The Drowsy Chaperone.

Goffee, who played Janet Van De Graaff, and Rochon, who played the Man in the Chair, were both recognized for Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role. In fact, Sutton Foster herself also played Van De Graaff when The Drowsy Chaperone debuted on Broadway in New York City in May of 2006.

“We are elated that two of our most hard-working students are being recognized for their efforts in our spring show, The Drowsy Chaperone,” said Central music director, Olivia Bloomer. “Both students went into this show season with one goal in mind: To put on the best show possible for our community. This award nomination is just icing on the cake for the both of them, and is very well deserved.”

Goffee and Rochon will join Walled Lake Northern’s Emily Arabo and Truman Columbus, as well as Michigan’s other nominees for two weekends at Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing, where they will continue to develop their theatre skills in workshops led by industry professionals. At the conclusion of the workshops in May, they will take part in the Sutton Foster Awards Showcase at the Wharton Center on June 1 at 6:30 p.m. During that performance, judges will select Michigan’s two Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role winners. Those two winners will earn a $1,000 cash prize and fly to New York City to compete for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards on June 24 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.