17th Annual Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards Reveals Nominees

The Orpheum Theatre Group has announced that the 17th annual Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSMTA) will take place on Thursday, May 21 at 7pm at the Orpheum Theatre. Students and supporters from 58 participating schools across the Mid-South (representing 4 states) will gather at the Orpheum to celebrate an exciting season of high school musical theatre. This year's program and award ceremony is generously presented for the first time by Orion Financial.

“Supporting the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is a natural extension of who we are at Orion Financial. We believe in investing in the next generation, celebrating creativity, and creating opportunities for young people to discover their voice and their confidence. These students represent the very best of our communities, and we are honored to help shine a spotlight on their talent, their passion, and the bright futures ahead of them.” - Ashley McDurmon, President & CEO, Orion Financial.

"The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards are thrilled to highlight our new presenting sponsorship from Orion Financial. Thanks to their benevolence, we will be able to take the production to new heights this year, and we are immensely grateful for their generous support." - Lena Wallace Black, Education and Engagement Manager Orpheum Theatre Group.

The evening will include a red carpet and participation by high school students on stage, backstage, and in the orchestra pit. This year's ceremony will pay tribute to revolutions in American history featuring music from 1776, Hamilton, Ragtime, SUFFS, and more. The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is sponsored in part by Andy Dean Production Services, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Mid-South Family Dental Group, Production One, SouthWorth Capital Management, and Ticketmaster.

The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is an official partner of The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards) which includes 58 programs from across the country. Presented by The Broadway League Foundation, the program invites two nominees from each local regional ceremony to New York City for a rigorous theatre intensive that includes coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway's most accomplished professionals. Nominees will spend ten days in New York City, and their experience will culminate in an extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The 17th annual Jimmy Awards will take place on Monday, June 22 at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway – the current home of Disney's The Lion King.

The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards are on Thursday, May 21 at 7pm. Tickets are $29.90-$65.80 and go on sale to the public Monday, May 4. 

Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards Nominees

Outstanding Small Ensemble

The Sardines - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Blue Skies Dancers - Cabot High School - White Christmas
The Ancestors - Houston High School - The Addams Family
The Insects - St. George's Independent School - James and the Giant Peach
The Jitterbugs - Trumann High School - The Wizard of Oz
The Peanuts Gang – Kennett High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
The Fates – Hutchison - Hadestown: Teen Edition

Outstanding Large Ensemble

Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Olive Branch High School – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda

Outstanding Chorus

Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Houston High School - The Addams Family
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition

Outstanding Student Orchestra

Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Bartlett High School – The Prince of Egypt
Houston High School - The Addams Family
Harding Academy of Memphis - Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Outstanding Dance Execution

Cabot High School - White Christmas
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Choreography

Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Cabot High School - White Christmas
Desoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition

Outstanding Playbill

Houston High School - The Addams Family
Desoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Milan High School - Matilda
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Harding Academy of Memphis - Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Outstanding Poster

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Academies of West Memphis – Shrek the Musical
St. George's Independent School - James and the Giant Peach
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Front of House

Briarcrest Christian School - Anastasia
Fayette Academy - Oklahoma!
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Milan High School - Matilda
Lausanne Collegiate School - Legally Blonde The Musical
Jackson Preparatory School – Legally Blonde The Musical Jr.

Outstanding Artistic Element

The Dragon - Memphis University School – Shrek the Musical
The Puppet Menagerie - Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
The Projections – Marion High School – The Lightning Thief
The Red Sea – Madison – Ridgeland Academy – The Prince of Egypt
The Rain - Northpoint Christian School - Singin' in the Rain
The Wizard - Trumann High School - The Wizard of Oz
The Projections – Decatur County Riverside High School – Little Women

Outstanding Hair and Makeup

Memphis University School – Shrek the Musical
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Cabot High School - White Christmas
Houston High School - The Addams Family
St. Mary's Episcopal School - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Outstanding Costumes

Trumann High School - The Wizard of Oz
Houston High School - The Addams Family
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Southaven High School – The Little Mermaid
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Lighting

Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
St. Mary's Episcopal School - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Outstanding Sound Design and Execution

Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Kennett High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Chester County High School - Oklahoma!

Outstanding Set

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Cabot High School - White Christmas
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Desoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Christian Brothers High School – Into the Woods
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Technical Achievement

Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Cabot High School - White Christmas

Outstanding Student Creative Achievement

Abigail Presley – Corinth High School – Water for Elephants (School Edition)
Mae McRae – Houston High School – The Addams Family
Xavier Ware Jr. – Arlington High School – The SpongeBob Musical
Selena Harris – Munford High School – Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Taylor Gibson – Corinth High School – Water for Elephants (School Editon)
Addy Blu Maness – Lakeland Preparatory School – Anything Goes
Hutch Trevathan – Briarcrest Christian School – Anastasia

Outstanding Student Technical Achievement

Jayden Wald – Cabot High School – White Christmas
Zarriah Clark – Lakeland Preparatory School – Anything Goes
Emma Baker – Harding Academy Searcy – Freaky Friday
Lilian Brock – Bartlett High School – The Prince of Egypt
Ashlyn Loritts – Evangelical Christian School – Matilda
Zoe Meredith – Tipton – Rosemark Academy – Shrek the Musical
Kit Garner – St. Agnes Academy - Shrek the Musical

Outstanding Student Stage Management Achievement

Caroline Byrd – Cabot High School – White Christmas
Hannah Loden – St. Mary’s Episcopal School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Lydia Cashion – Trinity Christian Academy – Disney's High School Musical
Becca Graubart – Houston High School – The Addams Family
McKenzie Nichols – Arlington High Schol – The SpongeBob Musical
Lydia Elliott – Chester County High School – Oklahoma!
Maddie Williams – Briarcrest Christian School – Anastasia

The Bravo Award

Libby DePriest as Matilda - Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Ella Beth Wilson as Young Cosette - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Liam Lackey as Young Will – Wynne High School - Big Fish: School Edition
Parker Burns as Crutchie - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies

The Inspiring Teacher Award

Lynden Lewis Jones – Evangelical Christian School
Chris Luter – Collierville High School
Journey Bennett – Corinth High School
Lalania Vaughn – Tipton – Rosemark Academy
Mandy Kershaw – Fayette Academy
Mary Beth Muncie – New Albany High School
Stacey Peeney – St. Benedict at Auburndale

Outstanding Music Direction

Calvin Ellis - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Tate Hansen - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Phillip Nanney - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Waverly Watkins - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Dale Beech and Caitlyn Smith - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Patrick Jones - Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Matt Morrison - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Featured Dancer

Maddie Carpenter - Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Sophie Kate Hampton - Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Addison Northcott - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Grace Togbo - St. Agnes Academy - Shrek the Musical
Grace Wade - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Patrick Bell - Cabot High School - White Christmas
Kennedy Davis - Lewisburg High School - Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Featured Actor

Noah May as Thenardier - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Jonathan Billings as Naphtali - Munford High School - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Alexander Li as Sheldon J. Plankton - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Lucca Scarpace as Mr. Jankowski - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Josh Chism as Karl the Giant - Jackson Christian School - Big Fish: School Edition
Derwin Miller as Minstrel - White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Eli Lickey as Escapologist - South Gibson County High School - Matilda

Outstanding Featured Actress

Kylee Oldham as Yocheved - Bartlett High School – The Prince of Egypt
Sadie James as Doctor - Milan High School - Matilda
Eden Stecchi as Medda Larkin - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Molly Flynn as Leaf Coneybear - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Abby Bishop as Sally Brown - First Assembly Christian School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
AJ Loritts as Doctor - Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Martha Dinstuhl as Wallis - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Cooper Douglas as Lucas Beineke - Houston High School - The Addams Family
Jayden Haynes as Nigel Bottom - White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Austin Villem as Vice Principal Douglas Panch - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Jordan Farley as Camel - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Brayden Daugherty as Hades – Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Aaden Nichols as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Alexander Garcia as Moonface Martin - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Supporting Actress

Regan Scott as Fantine - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Carrington Criswell as Erma - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Naima Harper Bey as Hope Harcourt - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Josie Li as Pearl Krabs - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Annsley Coleman as Mae Tuck - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Emma Lockwood as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Tatum Witt as Cosette – Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition

Outstanding Lead Actor

Mark Sanders as Nick Bottom - White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Max Taylor as Marius - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Sawyer Stephenson as SpongeBob SquarePants - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Bradley Bolden as Snoopy - St. Mary's Episcopal School - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Beckett Ivy as Jean Valjean - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Gunner Ross as Jesse Tuck - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Hayden Hooper as Jacob - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Lead Actress

Nita Hardin as Winnie Foster - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Indie Landers as James - St. George's Independent School - James and the Giant Peach
Maggie Dinstuhl as Marlena - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Zoey Yale as Reno Sweeney - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Destiny Smith as Man in Chair – Crosstown High - The Drowsy Chaperone
Sydney Granger as Olive Ostrovsky - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Sydney Nathan as Donna Sheridan - Desoto Central High School - Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Direction by a Teacher

Lauren Suddoth - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Mary Beth Muncie - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Stacey Peeney - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Jeff White - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Melani Morgan Blansett - Cabot High School - White Christmas
Kirie Walz - Bartlett High School - The Prince of Egypt
Lynden Lewis Jones - Evangelical Christian School - Matilda

Outstanding Overall Production

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