Showtime! Live from the State Theatre for the 2026 Freddy Awards

Posted on May 21, 2026 by dabourphoto

The wait is over. The red carpet is rolled out, the “on-air” lights are glowing, and the energy inside the State Theatre in Easton is absolutely off the charts. Tonight is the culmination of months of hard work, talent, and passion from high school theater departments across the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

It’s the 2026 Freddy Awards, and there is truly nothing like it.

The Electricity of Live TV

Walking into the theater on show night is a sensory experience. You have the roar of the student sections, the flash of the paparazzi on the red carpet, and the silent, focused intensity of the WFMZ-TV crew as they prepare for a three-hour live broadcast. For a photographer, this is the ultimate challenge and the ultimate reward.

From the second the opening number begins until the final trophy is handed out, my goal is to capture the raw, unscripted emotion of the night. Whether it’s the tearful embrace of a supporting actor winner, the sheer athleticism of an ensemble production number, or the quiet moment of a soloist taking their final bow—these are the memories that deserve to be preserved forever.

A Community United

What always amazes me about the Freddys is the community. While these schools are technically “competing,” the atmosphere backstage and in the house feels more like a massive family reunion. Rivalries are set aside for a shared love of the stage. Watching 31 schools come together to celebrate each other’s successes is what makes being the official photographer for this program such an honor year after year.

Relive the Night: The 2026 Galleries

The show may end tonight, but the memories don’t have to. I am working around the clock to process and upload the thousands of images captured throughout this week—from the early soloist rehearsals to tonight’s grand finale.

Parents, Cast, and Crew: You can view, share, and purchase your favorite moments from tonight’s historic show, as well as our complete archive from years past, at the link below:

👉 Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Hub

Keep refreshing the gallery throughout the weekend as new batches of 2026 photos drop!

Congratulations to every student, teacher, and volunteer who made the 2026 Freddy Awards a night to remember. Now, let’s get the show started!

Some of my favorite images from last year’s 2025 Freddy Awards

Tech Week Day 2: First Steps on the Main Stage for Nominated Schools

Posted on May 19, 2026 by dabourphoto

If Monday night at the State Theatre is about quiet focus, Tuesday is all about pure, electric excitement. Today is the day the tech week energy really starts to amplify as the nominated schools arrive for their very first stage run-throughs.

For a high school theater student, there is nothing quite like the moment you walk through those backstage doors and look out into the beautiful, historic auditorium of the State Theatre. For many, it’s a dream they’ve been working toward all year—or all four years of high school.

The Grand Transition

The logistics of Tuesday are a masterclass in theatrical coordination. The students from the nominated schools arrive at different scheduled and gets acclimated to the massive stage, and runs through their blocking. They are transitioning from their hometown high school auditoriums to a massive professional house, and you can see the sheer awe on their faces the second they hit the stage.

They work through their spacing, get a feel for the acoustics, and get a taste of what the live broadcast night is going to feel like. Alongside the individual school numbers, the opening and closing ensembles are right back at it, seamlessly fitting their massive choreography into the space.

Capturing the Awe

From behind the lens, Tuesday is a goldmine for genuine emotion. I love capturing the wide-eyed looks of the students looking up at the balcony, the backstage high-fives, the nervous giggles, and the sudden realization of “Wow, we are really here.” Even in their rehearsal clothes, the performances have an incredible spark of energy.

Nazareth Area HS ‘Seussical’ rehearse for the 2025 Freddy Awards on Tuesday, May 12 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

As we head toward the mid-week dress rehearsals, the excitement is only going up from here! Parents, cast members, and fans—don’t miss a single memory from this week or years past.

You can find all of our extensive event archives, and eventually all of this year’s fresh 2026 action, over at the Dabour Photography Freddy Awards Gallery. Head over now to grab your keepsakes and bookmark the page for this weekend’s upcoming galleries!

From the Swamp to the Sea: My Upcoming Show Season

Posted on March 11, 2026 by dabourphoto

A promotional graphic for Dabour Photography titled 'Photography & Videography by Dabour Photography.' The image features a collage of theatrical logos for upcoming Spring 2026 productions: Shrek The Musical, SpongeBob SquarePants The Broadway Musical, Finding Nemo Kids, Into the Woods, Frozen, The Wizard of Oz, and Sleeping Beauty.

What do Shrek, SpongeBob, Finding Nemo Kids, Into the Woods (x2), Frozen (x2), and Sleeping Beauty all have in common?

Aside from a suspicious amount of talking animals and magical curses… they’ve all booked me. Whether it’s capturing a swamp-dwelling ogre or a pineapple under the sea, I’ll be behind the lens providing photography and videography for every single one of these productions this season.

All of the above do not include all that I do for the Freddy Awards coming up in May!

To see some past theater photography I provided, please go here.

Del Val HS presents ‘Big Fish’

Posted on March 6, 2025 by dabourphoto

New Jersey and Lehigh Valley PA Theater Photography

Capturing the Magic: Delaware Valley High School’s ‘Big Fish’

Delaware Valley High School Theatre presents ‘Big Fish the Musical’ March 2025. Photo by DAVE DABOUR Photography

As a theater photographer, my passion lies in freezing those fleeting moments that encapsulate the essence of a performance. Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of photographing the upcoming production of Big Fish at Delaware Valley High School. This experience was not just a job but a journey into a world of dreams, love, and adventure that Big Fish beautifully portrays.

From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the energy and dedication of the students. Each performer brought their unique flair to their roles, making my job an absolute delight. The vibrant costumes, designed by the talented costume crew, added layers of depth to the characters, and the elaborate sets transported everyone to the whimsical world of Edward Bloom’s tall tales.

One of my favorite scenes to capture was the circus, a kaleidoscope of colors and excitement. The actors’ expressions, the choreography, and the lighting created a visual feast that was both challenging and rewarding to photograph. Each shot aimed to convey the spectacle and the emotion that the scene demanded.

Another highlight was photographing the intimate moments between Edward and his son, Will. These scenes required a delicate touch to capture the nuanced performances and the emotional weight they carried. The actors’ ability to convey complex emotions through subtle gestures and expressions made these photos some of my most cherished.

I also had the opportunity to take behind-the-scenes shots, capturing candid moments of the cast and crew. These photos provide a glimpse into the hard work and camaraderie that goes into creating such a production. It’s in these moments that the true spirit of theater shines through—the laughter, the teamwork, and the shared love for the art form.

Delaware Valley High School’s Big Fish is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of its students and faculty. It was an honor to document this journey and preserve these memories for everyone involved. I hope these photographs will not only serve as a memento of this production but also inspire future generations of performers and artists.

Get your tickets today online.

Would you like show photographs and or video of your theater production? Reach out to me for more information and to schedule!