2015 Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase Set for Tonight

Omaha Performing Arts will present the annual Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase tonight, June 11, 2015 at the Holland Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Modeled after the Tony Awards, this red carpet event will feature performances nearly 300 students from 38 local high schools, with awards for outstanding productions, top ensembles and performers, and artistic excellence behind-the-scenes. The lead actor and actress selected to participate in the 2015 National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York will be announced at the awards showcase. In its second year, the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards program has expanded to 38 schools, nearly double the participants in its inaugural year.

Seven high schools will receive awards for Outstanding High School Musical Theatre Production, including: Bellevue West High School (BIG FISH); Gretna High School (SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE!); Lincoln Southwest High School (WHITE CHRISTMAS); Millard North High School (YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN); Millard West High School (HONK!); Papillion La Vista High School (MISS SAIGON); and V. J. & Angela Skutt Catholic High School (BIG FISH).

Awards for Outstanding Ensemble Number will be presented to: Bellevue West High School (BIG FISH); Gretna High School (SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE!); Lincoln Southwest High School (WHITE CHRISTMAS); Lourdes Central Catholic Schools (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF); Millard North High School (YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN); Norris High School (TARZAN); and Papillion La Vista South High School (ONCE UPON A MATTRESS).

Fourteen leading actors and actresses will be honored for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role.

This year's award-winning lead actors are: Marcel Daly (Edward Bloom, BIG FISH, Bellevue West High School); Sam Mitchell (Bob Wallace, WHITE CHRISTMAS, Lincoln Southwest High School); Matthew Hakel (Phil Davis, WHITE CHRISTMAS, Lincoln Southwest High School); Chris Kircher (Dr. Frankenstein, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Millard North High School); Daniel Erickson (Chris, MISS SAIGON, Papillion La Vista High School); Scott Strigenz (J. Pierrepont Finch, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, Platteview High School); and Matthew Pohlman (Edward Bloom, BIG FISH, V. J. & Angela Skutt Catholic High School).

This year's award-winning lead actresses are: Lauren Johnson (Sandra Bloom, BIG FISH, Bellevue West High School); Nora Larson (Cinderella, INTO THE WOODS, Lincoln Southeast High School); Aubrey Jensyn (Judy Haynes, WHITE CHRISTMAS, Lincoln Southwest High School); Olivia Reid (Betty Haynes, WHITE CHRISTMAS, Lincoln Southwest High School); Casey Allen (Cat, HONK!, Millard West High School); Katelyn Hinderer (Ida, HONK!, Millard West High School); and Ally Sargus (Kim, MISS SAIGON, Papillion La Vista High School).

Winners of Outstanding by an Actor in a Supporting Role are: Nicholas Hall (Amos Calloway, BIG FISH, Bellevue West High School); Dylan Stiles (Pinocchio, SHREK THE MUSICAL, Elkhorn South High School); Chase Calhoun (Monster, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Millard North High School); Zack Rahrs (Inspector Kemp, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Millard North High School); Kyle Cunningham (Uncle Fester, ADDAMS FAMILY, Omaha South High Magnet School); Sam Keyes (Bud Frump, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, Platteview High School); and Adam Perry (Prospero, RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET, West Point- Beemer High School).

Winners of Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role are: Jessica Butler (Carlotta Guidicelli, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Elkhorn High School); Taylor Grandstaff (Mrs. Paroo, THE MUSIC MAN, Fremont High School); Grace Kimnach (Grace, SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE!, Gretna High School); Frances Munro (Martha Watson, WHITE CHRISTMAS, Lincoln Southwest High School); Payton Parks (Frau Bluecher, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Millard North High School); Taylor Beck (Inga, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Millard North High School); and Kelsey Keres (Mama Euralie, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, Omaha Burke High School).

Millard South High School's Dacota Schwarte will receive the award for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management. Millard South High School will receive the Backstage Spirit Award.

Sponsored by William & Harriet Otis and Wells Fargo, the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards is designed to celebrate, support and advocate for high school musical theatre education in Omaha, Nebraska and surrounding communities.

High schools receiving outstanding production awards will perform selections from their award-winning musicals as a part of the Awards Showcase. Top actors and actresses in leading roles will perform in two interschool medleys, and student representatives from all 38 participating high schools will perform in opening and finale numbers. Awards Showcase performers will have the opportunity to work choreographer, Jeff Shade, who was mentored by Bob Fosse and has danced on Broadway in SWEET CHARITY, CHICAGO (dance captain) and TEDDY & ALICE.

Tickets for the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase are $10 general admission. To reserve tickets, contact the Ticket Omaha Box Office at 402.345.0606 or visit TicketOmaha.com. To learn more about the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards visit NebraskaHSTA.org. More information about the National High School Musical Theater Awards is available at NHSMTA.com.

The seventh annual National High School Musical Theater Awards will take place on Monday, June 29, 2015, at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Rehearsals for this one- of-a-kind event will be held Wednesday, June 25, through Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in New York City. For more information, visit NHSMTA.com.

Omaha Performing Arts is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the citizens of Omaha and surrounding communities. In its two venues: the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center, the organization presents the best of Broadway, jazz, blues, dance, comedy, family and popular entertainment. Omaha Performing Arts also offers a range of educational programs and free community events that support, enhance and expand appreciation for the arts. In addition, the organization provides comprehensive ticketing services through Ticket Omaha, the official ticket retailer for the Orpheum and Holland.

Omaha Performing Arts' performances are supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Omaha and the Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, as well as corporate sponsors, private donors and foundations. For more information, visit OmahaPerformingArts.org.

The Nebraska High School Theatre Awards is designed to celebrate, support and advocate for high school musical theatre education in Omaha, Neb., and surrounding communities. Participating high schools have their musical theatre productions reviewed by a team of adjudicators who provide directors with valuable feedback. Throughout the year, participating high schools are also offered free Broadway master classes, tickets to touring Broadway shows when available, performance opportunities, awards and more. The program culminates in an annual Tony Awards®-inspired ceremony where top productions and performers are recognized for artistic excellence. The second Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase will take place on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at the Holland Performing Arts Center.