Published: April 27, 2026
With the University of Southern Maine being known for having good art programs, whether in music, theatre, photography, dance, or other programs, it is no surprise that three students were given awards at the 2025 BroadwayWorld Maine annual event. These awards are chosen by the audience and given to artists and productions that are both professionally produced and/or non-professionally produced.
Students Jared Lennon (3rd-year theatre major), Emma Graffam (4th-year theatre major), and Abbie Kneeland (5th-year music major) collectively received four awards this year, with Kneeland receiving two.
Graffam was awarded Best Performer in a Play (Professional) in the Out There Theater Company’s production of I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire.
Lennon acted in the non-professional play, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, produced by Lakewood Theater. The role awarded to Lennon was Best Performer in a Play (Non-professional). When asked what moment made Lennon want to major in theatre, Lennon responded with, “I started acting at 8 years old, but it wasn’t until I hit the end of high school when I realized I had career-based interests in both theatre and film. I love storytelling and having the ability to bring out emotions within an audience. My favorite part, and one of the biggest aspects of the role I won this award for, is making people laugh. We could all use a little more laughter.” Lennon definitely brought out emotions that lasted with the audience, allowing him the opportunity to win the award.
Kneeland got Best Music Direction and Orchestra Performance (Non-professional) for Anything Goes and Best Supporting Performer in a Musical (Non-professional) in Footloose, both for Lakewood Theater. Kneeland says that she got into “musical theatre as a way to build my confidence and experience with performing over the summer.” While she might not be a theatre major like Lennon and Graffam, she did have an “a-ha” moment that led her to become a music major. “I was in choir all throughout school and ended up joining a community choir. Something about singing with a group of people who are sharing a collective music experience made me realize that that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
To read more about these students and their performances, check out the article published on the University of Southern Maine website, and look out for upcoming productions with these students, because this is surely just the beginning of their amazing careers.
