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For NHSTA Alumni

Awards Showcase

SAVE THE DATE!

Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7:30 p.m

Orpheum Theater

23/24 Award Winners

Outstanding Musical Theater Production

Central City High School – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Elkhorn North High School – 42^nd Street

Fremont High School – Anastasia: The Musical

Grand Island Northwest High School – Mean Girls

Hastings Senior High School – The SpongeBob Musical

Lincoln Southwest High School – Something Rotten!

Millard West High School – Little Women

Papillion-La Vista Senior High School – The Addams Family

Papillion-La Vista South High School – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Westside High School – Disney’s Newsies

Columbus Middle School –Peter Pan JR.

Millard North Middle School – Elf JR.

Outstanding Ensemble

Elkhorn North High School – 42^nd Street

Fremont High School – Anastasia: The Musical

Hastings Senior High School – The SpongeBob Musical

Lincoln Southwest High School – Something Rotten!

Millard West High School – Little Women

Omaha South High School – Disney’s High School Musical

Papillion-La Vista Senior High School – The Addams Family

Platteview High School – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Wahoo High School – Disney’s Freaky Friday

Westside High School – Disney’s Newsies

Columbus Middle School – Peter Pan JR.

Omaha Beveridge Middle School – Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR.

Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role

Anna Metzger, Lincoln North Star High School – Mary Poppins from Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins

Ava Aaron, Westview High School – Little Red Ridinghood from Into the Woods

Carter Pflug, Westside High School – Davey from Disney’s Newsies

Cassidy Welsh, Papillion-La Vista Senior High School – Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family

Derek Penner, Blair High School – Ren McCormack from Footloose

Emma Wiese, Grand Island Northwest High School – Janis from Mean Girls

Jace Paopao, Chadron High School – Kenicke from Grease

Jack Larsen, Fremont High School – Dmitri from Anastasia: The Musical

Jack Welstead, Lincoln East High School – The Cat in the Hat from Seussical the Musical

Josh Spratlen, Papillion-La Vista Senior High School – Uncle Fester from The Addams Family

Loghan Lawson, Papillion-La Vista South High School – LeFou from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Madalynn Johnson, Millard West High School – Marmee March from Little Women

Natalie Kersten, Millard West High School – Jo March from Little Women

Olivia Nelson, Lincoln Southeast High School – Paulette from Legally Blonde The Musical

Olivia Wells, Omaha Burke High School – Motormouth Maybelle from Hairspray

Samara Follette, Lincoln Northeast High School – Anya/Princess Anastasia from Anastasia: The Musical

Sophia Srygley, Concordia Jr/Sr High School – Mrs. Wormwood from Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

Sophie Belka, Lincoln Southwest High School – Bea from Something Rotten!

Tim Tyler, Platteview High School – Beast from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Quinlan Braun, Hastings Senior High School – SpongeBob SquarePants from The SpongeBob Musical

Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role

Addie McGee, Elkhorn South High School – Dina from Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Addison Franklin, Westside High School – Seitz/Nun from Disney’s Newsies

Ali Gardner, Millard West High School – Aunt March from Little Women

Brayden Simpson, Omaha Central High School – Bill Austin from Mamma Mia!

Connor O’Brien, Papillion-La Vista Senior High School – Addams Ancestor from The Addams Family

Dav Lee, Omaha Northwest High School – Clarisse/Thalia from The Lightning Thief

Evan Cook, Concordia Jr/Sr High – Burce from Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

Gabrielle Staub, Concordia Jr/Sr High School – Lavender from Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

Henry Alvarez, Lincoln High School – Lurch from The Addams Family

Jacinta Flynn, Blair High School – Ethel McCormack from Footloose

Jack Fortney, Fremont High School – Gorlinskly from Anastasia: The Musical

Jeremy Amaya-Bonilla, Omaha South High School – Ryan Evans from Disney’s High School Musical

Jude Perry, Platteview High School – Cogsworth from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Katelyn Hansen, Lincoln Southeast High School – Brooke Wyndam from Legally Blonde the Musical

Kilee Wilkinson, Bellevue West High School – General Cartwright from Guys and Dolls

Lily Lane, Millard West High School – Amy March from Little Women

Maria Nero, Omaha South High School – Kelsi Nielsen from Disney’s High School Musical

Oliver Gray, Lincoln North Star High School – Michael Banks from Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins

Sam Bergman, Westside High School – Wiesel/Mayor from Disney’s Newsies

Tatum Nelson, Wahoo High School – Parker/Louis/Officer Kowalski from Disney’s Freaky Friday

Backstage Excellence Award

Kearney High School

Millard North Middle School

Outstanding Educator Award

Jennifer Morgan, Brownell Talbot Preparatory School

Tyler Koepp, Grand Island Central Catholic High School

Senior of the Year

Caleb Hampton, Papillion-La Vista Senior High School

Outstanding Achievement in Design

Arina Shaposhnikova, Millard West High School – Projection Design

Connor Runge, Kearney High School – Sound Design

Katie Picard, Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School – Lighting Design

Samantha Prather, Gibbon High School – Set Design

Shelby Jackson & Isabella Davis, Papillion-La Vista Senior High School – Costume & Makeup Design

Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management

Sofia La Fata Hornillos, Westside High School

National Jimmy Awards Finalists

Abi Howard, Marian High School

Anna Metzger, Lincoln North Star High School

Derek Penner, Blair High School

Gage Havlat, Lincoln High School

Grady Brisnehan, Grand Island Senior High School

Isabella Rivera, Grand Island Northwest High School

Karson Howard, Hastings Senior High School

Laine Cunningham, Papillion-La Vista South High School

Logan Finley, Lincoln Southwest High School

Mekhi Payne, Omaha South High School

Olivia Nelson, Lincoln Southeast High School

Olivia Wells, Omaha Burke High School

Quincy Soto, Lincoln Southeast High School

Quinlan Braun, Hastings Senior High School

Samara Follette, Lincoln Northeast High School

Sophie Belka, Lincoln Southwest High School

Jimmy Awards National Nominees

Derek Penner, Blair High School

Samara Follette, Lincoln Northeast High School

The Nebraska High School Theater Academy celebrates the outstanding achievements of participating high schools and middle schools with awards for top performers, excellence behind the scenes and more during the annual Tony Awards® style Showcase event presented by Omaha Performing Arts.

Awards

At the showcase, participating schools and students have the opportunity to win awards for artistic excellence in several categories. All award winners will receive trophies/special recognition live onstage at the Orpheum Theater! Select winners are also invited perform as a part of that evening’s program. This season’s award categories include:

Outstanding Musical Theater Production
Outstanding Ensemble Performance
Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role
Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role
Backstage Excellence Award
Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management
Outstanding Achievement in Design
Outstanding Educator Award
Senior of the Year
Jimmy Awards National Finalists (click here to learn more)
Jimmy Awards National Nominees
Outstanding Student Reporter
NHSTA Spirit Award

Learn more about each award below.

Award Categories

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTION

Up to 10 high school musical theater productions and up to 2 middle school musical theater productions will be recognized in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process. High schools receiving awards for Outstanding Musical Theater Production will be invited to perform up to a 5-minute number from their award-winning musical at the Showcase.

Schools will need to submit the piano/vocal scores of their top 3 song choices to potentially perform at the Showcase.

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

Up to 10 high school musical theater ensembles and up to 2 middle school musical theater ensembles will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A LEAD ROLE

Up to 20 high school students (10 actors and 10 actresses) will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process. Student winners in this category are invited to perform in a special musical number at the showcase.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Up to 20 high school students (10 actors and 10 actresses) will be recognized as winners in this award category. Winners will be determined by a formal adjudication process.

BACKSTAGE EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Backstage Excellence Award honors one group of students for demonstrating teamwork, professionalism and a commitment to excellence behind-the-scenes. Student run crews, costume crews, set construction crews, stagehands or any group of students in grades 7-12 who have dedicated time in a backstage capacity are eligible. Teachers are responsible for nominating students for the Backstage Excellence Award.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN STAGE MANAGEMENT

The award for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management honors students who demonstrate professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence in stage management. Student stage managers or assistant stage managers in grades 7-12 are eligible to apply.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN

The award for Outstanding Achievement in Design honors students in grades 7-12 who demonstrate artistry, skill and a commitment to excellence in costume, hair/makeup, props, scenic, sound or lighting design. Winners will be determined through an application process. Students in grades 7-12 may submit multiple applications in different design categories (e.g. one application for a costume design and another application for a scenic design). Each application should focus on one design project or concept.

OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD

The Outstanding Educator Award honors teachers for their outstanding achievements in performing arts education. The awards will recognize middle school and high school educators who embody the highest standards in performing arts education and demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of students. Current or past students, fellow educators, school administrators, parents, or community members may nominate teachers for this award.

SENIOR OF THE YEAR

The senior of the Year Award honors one senior for their outstanding achievements in performing arts throughout high school. The award will recognize a student who embodies the highest standards of leadership within their school and demonstrates a positive impact on the lives of their fellow peers and teachers. Educators, fellow students, school administrators, parents or community members may nominate students for this award.

JIMMY AWARDS NATIONAL FINALISTS AND NOMINEES

Each year, the Nebraska High School Theater Academy nominates 2 high school students (1 actor and 1 actress) to compete with other top musical theatre students from across the nation at the 2024 National High School Musical Theatre Awards in NYC. Students are selected through an online application and audition process. The 2 national nominees will be announced live onstage at the showcase.

Click here for more information.

JIMMY AWARDS STUDENT REPORTER

This award honors top high school student journalists. Winners will be selected through a video application process - more information below.

Winners will be expected to shadow performers as they cover the NHSTA Showcase rehearsal week on social media and have the chance to receive national recognition at the Jimmy Awards in NYC.

Each year, the Jimmy Awards invites select Student Reporters from participating Regional Awards Programs to cover Jimmy Awards events through social media on both the official Jimmy Awards channels and the student’s personal channels. Student Reporters work directly with the Jimmy Awards Digital team which allows them to receive an insider look at the digital marketing strategy of Jimmy Awards coverage while gaining insight into the field as a whole.

HOW TO APPLY: Create a 60-second video showing or describing how you would uniquely cover the Jimmy Awards on social media, as well as promoting tuning into a live stream performance or attending in-person. The video should be minimally edited and should include at least one unedited segment of at least 20-seconds in length with the applicant speaking directly to the camera. The videos must not include any performance footage.

We want to see your personality shine in this video! Think of it as hosting a version of "MTV Cribs" or an audition video to be on a non-performance reality show.

Want an example of a great application video? Check out award-winning student reporter, Hannah Kate-Kinney’s video here!

NHSTA SPIRIT AWARD

Each year 1 student from the Showcase Ensemble will receive this special award for demonstrating professionalism, teamwork and going above and beyond during the NHSTA Showcase rehearsal process.

Showcase Performance Opportunities

Showcase Ensemble

Each school is invited to select 1-2 students to join the 2023/2024 Showcase Ensemble and perform in the opening and/or closing number at the showcase with our Broadway guest artist/host. Teachers are responsible for selecting students to participate in the Showcase Ensemble. Please complete the form below with selected student information by Friday, May 10, 2024. This opportunity is not connected to awards and gives ALL participating schools a chance to shine!

Outstanding Musical Theater Production

If your high school is awarded for "Outstanding Musical Production," your students have the opportunity of performing on the Orpheum Theater stage during the NHSTA Showcase!

Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role

If you are awarded for "Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role," you will have the opportunity to perform with your peers on the Orpheum Theater stage during the NHSTA Showcase!

Rehearsals

Showcase rehearsals are scheduled to run Sunday, June 9, 2024 - Thursday, June 13, 2024 with an afternoon dress rehearsal and evening performance time (7:30pm) on Thursday, June 13, 2024. The showcase performance and rehearsals will take place at the Holland Performing Arts Center and the Orpheum Theater. Meals will be provided throughout the rehearsal and performance period. A detailed rehearsal schedule with specific call times will be provided in spring 2024.

Housing, Meals and Transportation

Because of the intensive rehearsal schedule, O-pa will provide students performing as a part of the Showcase Ensemble, National Finalists, winners of Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role and Student Reporter with free housing the evenings of June 9-June 12, 2024. Students performing as a part of the Showcase Ensemble, Lead Ensemble and winner of the Outstanding Student Reporter Award are encouraged, but not required to stay in Creighton University dormitory housing throughout the rehearsal period. National Finalists are required to staying in housing throughout rehearsal week. Students will stay in the dormitories at Creighton University. O-pa will hire experienced chaperones to stay with students in the dorms and accompany them to/from rehearsals each day. O-pa will also provide students and chaperones with transportation to/from rehearsals each day. Students who stay in the dorms must adhere to Omaha Performing Arts Code of Conduct and complete a Housing Release Form. These documents can be found in the performer guides available later this spring.

Students in Residence will receive free breakfast, lunch and dinner between rehearsals June 9-June 13, 2024. Free dinner will be provided to all performers who attend the dress rehearsal on June 13, 2024.

NHSTA Showcase Important Dates and Deadlines

June 9-June 13, 2024 | NHSTA Showcase rehearsals
June 11, 2024 | Tech rehearsals for Outstanding Production award winners
June 13, 2024 | NHSTA Showcase
Late-June 2024 | Jimmy Awards in NYC

Please note that all dates are subject to change

Past winners