Senior Joe Kaiser Nominated for Illinois High School Musical Theater Award
For Joe Kaiser, the stage at Saint Viator High School has always felt like home — literally. Long before he walked its hallways as a student, he was standing on its boards as a 7-year-old, cast in a production of The Music Man after his sister convinced him to audition.
"It took a lot of convincing," Kaiser recalled with a laugh. But once he was hooked, there was no turning back. He went on to perform in productions at St. Theresa Elementary School before continuing his theatrical journey at Saint Viator.
Now a senior, Kaiser has been nominated for a 2026 Illinois High School Musical Theater Award (IHSMTA) — one of the most prestigious recognitions in Illinois high school theater. For Kaiser, the nomination carries deep personal meaning.
"Being nominated is confirmation that my hard work has paid off," he said. "I did not start taking theatre seriously until going into my junior year, so at times it felt like I was playing catch-up. But that gave me reason to work harder and grow as much as possible as a performer."
Now a senior, Kaiser has been nominated for a 2026 Illinois High School Musical Theater Award (IHSMTA) — one of the most prestigious recognitions in Illinois high school theater. For Kaiser, the nomination carries deep personal meaning.
"Being nominated is confirmation that my hard work has paid off," he said. "I did not start taking theatre seriously until going into my junior year, so at times it felt like I was playing catch-up. But that gave me reason to work harder and grow as much as possible as a performer."
He speaks humbly about his fellow nominees. "I know many of my co-nominees and have seen them perform, and I am humbled and flattered to be considered alongside them."
The road to the nomination ran through Saint Viator's production of Big Fish, in which Kaiser performed the role that earned him recognition. On May 11, nominees will take the stage at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago — and the stakes couldn't be higher. The performance also serves as an audition for the award's top honor, Best Performer. Kaiser describes preparing for May 11 as a uniquely demanding challenge.
"While May 11th is a performance, it is also an audition," he explained. "The amount of time I have to learn new songs, choreography, and review my songs from Big Fish is much shorter than preparing for a school production."
He'll perform "Fight the Dragons" from Big Fish, a song of his choosing, and a group number with fellow nominees — requiring him, as he put it, "to be prepared to tell three different stories, rather than one."
"While May 11th is a performance, it is also an audition," he explained. "The amount of time I have to learn new songs, choreography, and review my songs from Big Fish is much shorter than preparing for a school production."
He'll perform "Fight the Dragons" from Big Fish, a song of his choosing, and a group number with fellow nominees — requiring him, as he put it, "to be prepared to tell three different stories, rather than one."
Much of Kaiser's growth as a performer he attributes to Saint Viator Musical Director, Megan Gray.
"She has taught me so much about stage presence, my ability to effectively tell stories, and how to respect each and every member of a cast and crew in a production," he said.
The lessons extend beyond technique — theater, for Kaiser, is ultimately about the people.
"She has taught me so much about stage presence, my ability to effectively tell stories, and how to respect each and every member of a cast and crew in a production," he said.
The lessons extend beyond technique — theater, for Kaiser, is ultimately about the people.
"What keeps me coming back is the camaraderie with my castmates," he said. "I have yet to participate in a show where I have not made lifelong friends."
Those friendships and that passion are carrying Kaiser well beyond high school. He is currently deciding between Indiana University and New York University Tisch School of the Arts’s New Studio as he prepares to study musical theater, with hopes of performing professionally in New York or Chicago.
And if he could play any role on any stage? Kaiser doesn't hesitate.
"I would love to play Orpheus in Hadestown," he said. He previously played Hermes in the same show. "I would love to be able to tell the story from a different perspective."
"I would love to play Orpheus in Hadestown," he said. He previously played Hermes in the same show. "I would love to be able to tell the story from a different perspective."
For now, though, there's a Broadway Playhouse stage waiting — and a story of his own still unfolding.
