Cary-Grove High Actress Nominated for BroadwayWorld Chicago Award

Cary-Grove High School senior Haley Gustafson was named as a finalist for the 2016 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical or Revue for her role as Veronica Sawyer in Heathers: The Musical. W

inners will be announced during the awards show on January 23, according to a District 155 news release.

“I had no idea I was a finalist until one of my friends texted me the news. I was completely caught off guard, so I checked my phone, and low and behold, there was my name, right under Patti Lupone's- probably the only time I'll be able to say that,” Gustafson said.

Haley performed six shows as Veronica Sawyer last summer, July 30 through Aug. 6, at Forest View Education Center. Rehearsals began on June 6 and went through July 28. Rehearsals were typically Sunday through Thursday for about three hours until the end when they practiced six days per week.

“This was an absolute dream role. I don't think I've ever felt as connected to a character or a cast as I did during Heathers. I'm just incredibly grateful to everyone involved; the cast, the crew, everyone who voted, the show itself. Everyone,” Gustafson said.

Haley plans to pursue a career in theatre and is auditioning for several colleges including Carnegie Mellon, NYU, Roosevelt, Marymount Manhattan, Juilliard, and the University of Cincinnati. She has also signed with the Stewart Talent Agency, according to the news release.

Haley was cast to play Eva Peron in Cary-Grove High School’s musical production of Evita.

“I cannot think of a better way to end my high school theatre career. I have so much to thank Cary-Grove for, I don't even know where to begin. All I can say is that if I'd been at any other high school, I don't think I'd be pursuing a career in theatre,” Gustafson said.

Tickets for Evita go on sale Friday, Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. The show runs March 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m., March 12 at 2 p.m., March 16 at 7 p.m., and March 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Several Cary-Grove students and alumni who were part of ensembles were also nominated for awards including Justin O'Brien, Urvaksh Avanthsa and Carly Vadnais for 42nd Street, and Ryan Kelleher, Kelsey Krigas, Mitch Kedzior, Sarah Kedzior, and Katie Kelleher for A Chorus Line.