Talent from across California's Inland Empire filled the McCallum Theatre stage on May 31 for the 2026 Lucie Arnaz Awards.
The ceremony marked the first time the event was held at the Palm Desert venue. Twenty-two high schools from Riverside and San Bernardino counties took part in the program that recognizes excellence in musical theatre.
David W. Green produced and directed the evening. Michael Orland served as musical director, and actor Kevin Chamberlin hosted the event.
The Lucie Arnaz Awards honor achievement in performance, production, direction, choreography, and arts education among public and private high schools in the region. The program is named for stage, television, and film star Lucie Arnaz.
Elizabeth Eldar of Musical Theatre University in Rancho Mirage received the Lucie-A Award for Outstanding Leading Actress. Rowen Gilstrap of Martin Luther King High School in Riverside won the Outstanding Leading Actor award.
The two students will represent the Inland Empire at the Jimmy Awards on June 22 at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. The national event brings together regional winners from across the country.
The McCallum Theatre posts on social media confirmed the 2026 winners and their advancement. Reports from BroadwayWorld detailed participation from the 22 schools and the ceremony's move to the new location.
