LOCAL ACTORS EARN 5TH AVENUE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARD NODS
By Kim Nowacki | May 22, 2008
This week, three local schools earned a total of seven 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Award nominations, plus one honorable mention and one special honor for student achievement.
Presented by Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, the awards recognize exceptional musical theater productions presented during the 2007-08 school year.
Now in its sixth year, the awards program was created as a way to shine the spotlight on high school musical theater programs and offer drama students the same recognition that accomplished high school athletes receive. This year, 73 schools from across the state entered their productions for judging.
Locally, Eisenhower High School earned nominations for its production of “High School Musical,” Davis High School for “The Wizard of Oz” and Sunnyside High School for “Seussical the Musical.”
And the nominees from the Yakima Valley are:
• Outstanding Choreography — Eisenhower High School.
• Outstanding Orchestra — Eisenhower High School.
• Outstanding Costume Design — Davis High School.
• Outstanding Lobby Display — Davis High School.
• Outstanding Performance by and Actor in a Leading Role — Alex Rumbolz as Troy Bolton in “High School Musical.”
• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in Supporting Role (honorable mention) — Jazmine Salmeron as Mayzie in “Seussical.”
• Outstanding Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Non-Singing Role — Laura Fairbrook as Kelsi Neilsen in “High School Musical,” and Ryan Hatfield as Coach Bolton in “High School Musical.”
• Special Honors for Student Achievement — Ike’s Patrick Smith.
The awards ceremony is at 7 p.m. June 9 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.
I represent a parent group of high school theatre enthusiasts. Our local professional theatre works with the local high school to put on a spring musical for the community. We are seeking successful examples of theatre-high school cooperation. Out theatre often keeps kids until 11 on school nights and boots them from the show if they miss practices for college interviews. The choreographer has been heard to call students “spoiled brat.” Rehearsal are often from 10 until 4:30 Saturdays as well as after school for three or four hours. Is this treatment necessary for a successful show?
Thank You – Sarah