Omaha Performing Arts Announces Top Two National High School Musical Theatre Awards Finalists

The 2017 Nebraska representatives at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards' Jimmy Awards include one returning contender and a first-time finalist.

Omaha Performing Arts announced tonight that Lauren Johnson, a 2016 Jimmy Awards finalist who recently graduated from Bellevue West High School was again selected to compete at the Jimmy Awards from six young women in the state. Lane Mongeon, a senior from Milford, Nebraska placed first among the top six young men.

Both Johnson and Mongeon were named national finalists Thursday night during the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase at the Holland Performing Arts Center after a lengthy audition process.

About the finalists

Lauren Johnson recently graduated from Bellevue West High School. During her 4 years at West, she was heavily involved with the choir and theatre department. She sang with the varsity concert choir, West High Singers, and was a member of the after school acapella group, Project 424.

Her past theatre credits include, Once Upon a Mattress, Big Fish, Seussical the Musical, Smokey Joe's Café, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Sister Act at the Omaha Community Playhouse. During her three years participating in the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards, Johnson was recognized as Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role for her portrayal of Sandra Bloom in Big Fish, Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical, and again in 2017 for her role as The Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone. She previously represented Nebraska at the 2016 Jimmy Awards in New York where she finished among the top four women.

Lauren will pursue a BFA in Music Theatre with a dance minor when she begins the fall term at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Lane Mongeon will be a senior at Milford High School this fall, where performing arts are among his largest extra-curricular focuses.

Past performances and roles include Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress, Edward Bloom in Big Fish, and most recently Gomez Addams in The Addams Family. Mongeon also competes in Milford's One Act and speech programs. He is a two-year recipient of the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards' Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role award. Mongeon is a member of Nebraska All State Choir and All State Cast. He has received various one act awards during his acting career.

Lane hopes to continue his acting career at Columbia College Chicago after high school.