 |
| Chandler High School won the Best Musical Award for its production of All Shook Up |
Although in-person award shows have been put on hold for the time being, that didn’t stop the sixth annual ASU Gammage High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSMTA) from taking the virtual stage on Saturday, May 23. The online event recognized and celebrated Valley high school students and faculty that produced musical theatre programs for the 2019-2020 school year.
Desiree Ong, educational enrichment program manager of ASU Gammage, said the team at ASU Gammage still wanted to offer a way for students to celebrate their hard work.
“The class of 2020 has had such a difficult year, and with other ceremonies and events getting canceled, we still wanted to hold our celebration even if it meant going online,” Ong said. “We want to send a message that the arts are important and valued in our community, and we want to encourage students to pursue their passion and continue their lifelong love of the performing arts.”
Last fall, 24 high schools were chosen through an application process. Of the 24 schools, 15 were able to finish their productions before statewide school closures.
The first half of the ASU Gammage HSMTA Virtual Showcase featured short video performances from 24 Valley high schools. Winners were announced in 14 categories and selected by a panel of adjudicators comprised of theatre professionals, teachers and enthusiasts in Arizona.
 |
| Best Lead Male Award winner Brach Drew Marcos De Niza High School |
Chandler High School won the best musical award for its production of “All Shook Up.” Brach Drew of Marcos De Niza High School won best lead male for his portrayal of The Cat in the Hat in “Seussical.” Angelica Santana of Dobson High School won best lead female for her performance of Nina in “In the Heights.”
Normally, the two winners would go on to compete in the national HSMTA (known as the Jimmy Awards) in New York City. Unfortunately, the 2020 Jimmy Awards were canceled. Instead, this year’s winners each received $500 due to the generosity of ASU Gammage VIP patrons Pat Langlin-Brazil and Ronald J. Harten.
The ASU Gammage Leadership Award is normally presented to two graduating seniors for their leadership not only on the stage, but in their community and school. This year, four graduating seniors were chosen and granted $500 to use toward furthering their education: Macey Clausen from Casteel High School, Aunah Johnson from Shadow Mountain High School, Jordan Wiener from Arizona School for the Arts and Luke Morton from Williams Field High School.
Participating schools included American Leadership Academy Gilbert North, American Leadership Academy Queen Creek, Arizona School for the Arts, Casteel High School, Centennial High School, Chandler High School, Chaparral High School, Desert Mountain High School, Dobson High School, Hamilton High School, Marcos De Niza High School, Maricopa High School, Mingus Union High School, New School For The Arts & Academics, Notre Dame Preparatory High School, Perry High School, Phoenix Country Day School, Queen Creek High School, Red Mountain High School, Saguaro High School, Sandra Day O’Connor High School, Shadow Mountain High School, Shadow Ridge High School, and Williams Field High School.
“It’s been a really difficult year for everyone, and we want you to know at ASU Gammage, we are here to support you, and we look forward to you all returning to the theatre,” said Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, executive director of ASU Gammage and ASU vice president for cultural affairs, in a closing statement on the night of the ceremony. “We look forward to the time when we all can be together.”
Going out with a “bang”
Growing up in an athletic-centered household, the only time HSMTA lead male winner Brach Drew heard the phrase “it’s showtime” was in regards to game day. However, all that changed when Drew auditioned and got into his first play in the fourth grade. After having to do his first quick change in the school’s restroom and making it back to the stage in time to meet the expressions of audience members, he knew the connection he had made with them was something special.
Since then, Drew has been in musical after musical. A native to Tempe, Arizona, his Christmas present for the past three years has been season tickets to ASU Gammage.
Like so many other performers, Drew didn’t realize Marcos De Niza High School’s production of “Seussical” would be the last he performed in before statewide school closures.
“We went out with a bang, and I’m really grateful for that,” Drew said.
On the night of the HSMTA ceremony, Drew sat huddled with his family in the living room and kept a Zoom call open with his fellow cast members. When he heard his name called for best lead male, Drew felt relieved.
“I put in so much work the past four years of high school developing my craft, and it paid off with receiving this recognition,” he said.
Drew remembers that when he was a freshman, upperclasswoman Briana Fleming won the 2017 best lead female award. He got to congratulate her and the two took a picture together. It was in that moment that Drew decided he would work hard and do whatever it took to get there — and get there he has done.
To his theatre director Patrick McChesney, saying “thank you” hardly feels like enough.
“Know that everything I’m doing is to show gratitude for what you gave me — all the time, the energy, the sacrifices you’ve made for my growth. I will not take these things for granted, and I will live my life and perform because it’s you I give credit to,” Drew said.
Being heavily involved in high school, Drew said he hopes young adults will take advantage of their time and enjoy the fullness of their high school experience because it could change in an instant.
“The idea of being yourself is excruciatingly important in musical theatre, performance and life,” he said.
Drew will be majoring in Theatre Arts at the University of Arizona in the fall. With the funds awarded, he hopes to use it to pay for materials needed in his theatre classes. He also is interested in pursuing a minor in Spanish or American Sign Language to become an interpreter.
Taking a bow
 |
| Best Lead Female Winner Angelica Santana Dobson High School |
“I used to have the biggest stage fright, but after performing in that show all of that went away and I just wanted to get better so I could get a bigger role in the future,” she said.
After much hard work and dedication, Santana landed the role of Nina in her school’s production of “In the Heights.” Although the school never got to perform the show, Santana was still able to create a video submission for the HSMTA ceremony of her singing “Breathe.”
Santana watched the awards ceremony in her living room with her boyfriend and younger sister. When it was announced that she had won best lead female, she felt as if she’d stopped breathing.
“My jaw just dropped, my hands went over my face and I just started crying,” Santana said. “It was such a surreal moment and felt like the cherry on top; it was sad that we didn’t get to perform our show, but I was super excited that I had won.”
Santana said her choir director Whitney Murray made her into the singer that she is today, and her theatre director Simon Navarro supported her to get her to a higher place each year. At the end of the day, she said that’s all she could ask for.
Santana will be majoring in social work at Arizona State University’s West campus in the fall. She hopes to continue theatre in some capacity during college, whether that be in a club or community production.
“Theatre holds such a special place in my heart — with all of the friends and people that I’ve met through it,” she said. “It’s just a big part of my life now.”
ASU Gammage High School Musical Theatre Awards 2019-2020
http://www.asugammage.com/HSMTA
SCHOOLS
American Leadership Academy Gilbert North - Thoroughly Modern Millie+
Tiffany Garner
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Les Miserables+
Jenifer Hansen
Arizona School for the Arts - Mary Poppins
Robert Chambers
Casteel High School - Fiddler on the Roof+
Alyssa Pitner
Centennial High School – Shrek
Laura Colletti
Chandler High School - All Shook Up*
Stephanie Likes
Chaparral High School - Sweeney Todd
Ed Como
Desert Mountain High School - Little Shop of Horrors
Marilyn Mumaw
Dobson High School - In the Heights+
Simon Navarro
Hamilton High School - Frozen Jr.*
Christina Vail
Marcos De Niza High School – Seussical*
Patrick McChesney
Maricopa High School – Newsies*
Alexandra Stahl
Mingus Union High School – Shrek+
James Ball
New School For The Arts & Academics - Andrew Lippa's Wild Party+
Amy Abbruscato
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - Into the Woods
Cecilia Henrich
Perry High School - Zombie Prom
Randy Duren
Phoenix Country Day School - West Side Story*
Keith Burns
Queen Creek High School - Into the Woods+
Kyle Spitler
Red Mountain High School - Mamma Mia+
Matt Erickson
Saguaro High School – Footloose
Tim McCandless
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - High School Musical
Toni Fioramonti
Shadow Mountain High School - Willy Wonka
Teresa Minarsich
Shadow Ridge High School – Footloose+
Kendra Schroeder
Williams Field High School – The Addams Family
Heather Gillen
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
+Show was postponed or cancelled due to AZ schools closure in March 2020
BEST LEAD MALE
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Kyle Atkinson*
Arizona School For The Arts - Zachary Snyders
Casteel High School - Gabriel Pino
Centennial High School - Anthonee Trifari
Chandler High School - Nainoa Aguano*
Chaparral High School - Kyle Hoffmaster*
Desert Mountain High School - Jack Yampolsky*
Dobson High School - Robert Schaefer*
Marcos De Niza High School - Brach Drew*
Maricopa High School - Joseph Russoniello*
Mingus Union High School - Zachary Smith
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - Bennet Curran
Perry High School - Manuel Edrozo*
Phoenix Country Day School - Kevin Wang*
Queen Creek High School - Scotty Hagen*
Saguaro High School - Logan Holmes
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - Johnathan Bacon
Shadow Mountain High School - Keegan Sinur
Shadow Ridge High School - Lucas Morais
Williams Field High School - Brennan Merrill*
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST LEAD FEMALE
American Leadership Academy Gilbert North - Kylie Payne
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Gabriella Sanchez*
Arizona School For The Arts - Katie Brown
Casteel High School - Amithy Vallone
Chandler High School - Autumn Towne
Chaparral High School - Ashley Thomson*
Desert Mountain High School - Macie Wilson*
Dobson High School - Angelica Santana*
Hamilton High School - Kristiana Corona*
Marcos De Niza High School - Marianna Adams
Maricopa High School - Emma Schrader
Mingus Union High School - Vanessa Alcala
New School For The Arts & Academics - Amanda Goldberg
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - Olivia La Porte
Perry High School - Sydney Volker*
Phoenix Country Day School - Allie Dever*
Queen Creek High School - Delaney Starks*
Red Mountain High School - Amber Looper
Saguaro High School - Daphne (Ronnie) Mizquez*
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - Kayla Howard
Shadow Mountain High School - Aunah Johnson
Shadow Ridge High School - Kaylea Vance
Williams Field High School - Gracie Gamble*
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - AJ Klomp
Arizona School For The Arts - Charles Moore
Casteel High School - Hunter Stanley
Centennial High School - Chris Brattin
Chandler High School - Avery Chisenski*
Chaparral High School - Kyler Glazier
Desert Mountain High School - Drake Stanton*
Dobson High School - Nathan Payne
Hamilton High School - Nicholas Moriarty
Marcos De Niza High School - Kyrian Sowards*
Maricopa High School - Jae Luna
Mingus Union High School - Santana Alvarado II
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - Jacob Fevurly
Perry High School - Jonah Romanoff*
Phoenix Country Day School - Lucas Oland*
Queen Creek High School - Jaxon Ballingham
Saguaro High School - Jack Thomas
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - Jaden Roesch
Shadow Mountain High School - Trevar Howell
Shadow Ridge High School - Tristan Richards
Williams Field High School - Kale Klein
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Camille Christman
Arizona School For The Arts - Lily Gosar
Casteel High School - Macey Clausen
Centennial High School - Sophia Phu
Chandler High School - Charlize Cornejo*
Chaparral High School - Abby Manhoff
Desert Mountain High School - Sophia Vanella
Dobson High School - Angelica Lopez
Hamilton High School - Raven Harris*
Marcos De Niza High School - MaKayla Johnson
Maricopa High School - Julianna Goodrum*
Mingus Union High School - Charlie Green
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - Kendall Luther
Perry High School - Halle Mason
Phoenix Country Day School - Kira Liljegren
Queen Creek High School - Brynley Wilhelm
Saguaro High School - Tyler Velarde*
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - Elise Sheppard
Shadow Mountain High School - Makenna Staley
Shadow Ridge High School - Autumn Wooten
Williams Field High School - Donelly Clark*
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST VOCALIST
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Justin Palmer
Arizona School For The Arts - Emilee Robles*
Casteel High School - Lucas Keller
Centennial High School - Jordan Sampson
Chandler High School - Nainoa Aguano*
Chaparral High School - Kyle Hoffmaster
Desert Mountain High School - Macie Wilson
Dobson High School - Carmen Williams
Hamilton High School - Kristiana Corona
Marcos De Niza High School - Brach Drew*
Maricopa High School - Haley Raffaele*
Mingus Union High School - Mikayla Gaydon
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - Ruby Purcell
Perry High School - Sydney Volker*
Phoenix Country Day School - Allie Dever
Queen Creek High School - Hope Niven
Saguaro High School – Daphne (Ronnie) Mizquez*
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - Kayla Howard
Shadow Mountain High School - Karson Sinur
Shadow Ridge High School - Ethan Wallgren
Williams Field High School - Gracie Gamble
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST DANCE ENSEMBLE
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - "Master of the House" The Thenardiers
Arizona School For The Arts - "Step in Time" Dance Ensemble*
Casteel High School - The Wedding Dance Ensemble
Centennial High School - "Morning Person" Dance Ensemble*
Desert Mountain High School - Doo Wop Ensemble*
Dobson High School - 96,000 Dance Ensemble
Hamilton High School - "In Summer" Dance Ensemble
Marcos De Niza High School - "Chasing The Whos" Dance Ensemble
Maricopa High School - "Seize the Day" Dance Ensemble*
Mingus Union High School - "Morning Person" Rat Tap Dance Ensemble
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - "Act 2 Finale" Dance Ensemble
Perry High School - "Blast from the Past" Dance Ensemble
Phoenix Country Day School - "Dance at the Gym" Dance Ensemble*
Red Mountain High School - "I'm Free/Heaven Help Me" Dance Ensemble
Saguaro High School - "Let’s Hear It for the Boy”
Sandra Day O’Connor – “We're All in this Together" Dance Ensemble
Shadow Mountain High School - "The Candyman" Dance Ensemble
Shadow Ridge High School - "Let's Hear It for the Boy" Dance Ensemble
Williams Field High School - "Tango DeAmor" Morticia, Gomez & Ancestors
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST SET/PROP
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Finn Helser
Arizona School For The Arts - Arizona School for the Arts Production Team
Casteel High School - Casteel Crew
Centennial High School - Jessica Moran
Chandler High School - Chandler High Set/Prop Design Team*
Chaparral High School - Team 203*
Desert Mountain High School - Mikayla Glancy*
Dobson High School - Dobson High School Stagecraft
Hamilton High School - Hamilton Set and Prop Crew*
Marcos De Niza High School - Presley Symington*
Maricopa High School - MHS Tech Theatre
Mingus Union High School - Shenoah Williams
Perry High School - Joyce Poon
Queen Creek High School - Queen Creek Tech Team
Saguaro High School - Saguaro Set/Props Design Team
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - SDOHS Stagecraft Class
Shadow Mountain High School - NVAA Set/Props Team
Shadow Ridge High School - SRHS Set Team
Williams Field High School - WFHS Set Team
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST LIGHTING
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Christian Bribiescas
Arizona School For The Arts - Arizona School for the Arts Production Team
Casteel High School - Ander Rice
Chandler High School - Chandler High Lighting Team*
Chaparral High School - Michael Bouchard*
Desert Mountain High School - Harm Agena*
Dobson High School - Nyle Rivera
Hamilton High School - Abby Flanigan*
Maricopa High School - MHS Tech Theatre*
Mingus Union High School - Porter McDowell
Notre Dame Preparatory High School - Notre Dame Tech Team*
Perry High School - Melana Fiandaca
Queen Creek High School - Kelsi Anderson
Saguaro High School - Matthew Steward
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - SDOHS Lighting Crew
Shadow Mountain High School - NVAA Lighting Team
Shadow Ridge High School - SRHS Lighting Team
Williams Field High School - WFHS Lighting Team
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name is the winner.
BEST SOUND
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Ashton Spencer
Arizona School For The Arts - Edwin Anderson
Casteel High School - Barrett Burgess
Centennial High School - Campbell McWilliams
Chandler High School - Chandler High Sound Team*
Chaparral High School - Amanda Bell*
Desert Mountain High School - Rowan Kozinets*
Dobson High School - Gabe Wallace
Hamilton High School - Andrea Flores-Pena
Marcos De Niza High School - JJ Johnson*
Maricopa High School - MHS Tech Theatre
Mingus Union High School - Weylan Connell
Perry High School - Perry Sound Team*
Queen Creek High School - Lennon VanAusdal
Saguaro High School - Lexi McNally
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - SDOHS Sound Crew
Shadow Mountain High School - NVAA Sound Team
Shadow Ridge High School - SRHS Sound Team
Williams Field High School - WFHS Sound Team
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST COSTUMES
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Mikelle Redd
Arizona School For The Arts - ASA Production Team
Casteel High School - Grace Kimmel
Centennial High School - Madelyn Stuckey
Chandler High School - Chandler High Costume Team*
Chaparral High School - Sophie Streich*
Desert Mountain High School - Ollie Clarke*
Hamilton High School - Hamilton Costume Crew*
Marcos De Niza High School - Dorian Williams*
Maricopa High School - MHS Tech Theatre
Mingus Union High School - Amaya Lathon
Perry High School - Colton Marks
Saguaro High School - Saguaro Costume Design Team
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - SDOHS Costume Crew
Shadow Mountain High School - NVAA Costume Team
Shadow Ridge High School - SRHS Costume Team
Williams Field High School - WFHS Costume Team
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
BEST HAIR & MAKE-UP
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek - Phoebe Chandler
Arizona School For The Arts - Anna Spelleri*
Centennial High School - The Contour Queens
Chandler High School - Chandler High Hair/Makeup Team*
Chaparral High School - Sierra Tooke
Desert Mountain High School - Cara Richman*
Hamilton High School - Jessica Wastchak*
Marcos De Niza High School - Dakota Estrella*
Maricopa High School - MHS Tech Theatre
Mingus Union High School - Mingus Hair and Make-up Team
Perry High School - Perry Makeup Team
Queen Creek High School - Jordan Tyler
Saguaro High School - Tyler Velarde
Sandra Day O'Connor High School - SDOHS Hair and Makeup Crew
Shadow Mountain High School - NVAA Hair and Makeup Team
Shadow Ridge High School - SRHS Hair/Makeup Team
Williams Field High School - WFHS Hair and Makeup Team
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
ASU GAMMAGE LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINEES
Arizona School For The Arts - Jordan Wiener
Casteel High School - Macey Clausen
Centennial High School - Emily Sielewicki
Chaparral High School - Charles "Cannon" Cook
Desert Mountain High School - Lauren Reilly
Hamilton High School - Griffen McClendon
Maricopa High School - Haley Lemon
Mingus Union High School - Vanessa Alcala
Queen Creek High School - Hope Niven
Red Mountain High School - Riley Siegler
Saguaro High School - Tyler Velarde
Shadow Mountain High School - Aunah Johnson
Williams Field High School - Luke Morton
Single asterisk (*) indicates Finalist
Bolded name indicates Winner
EXCELLENCE IN STAGE MANAGEMENT AWARD NOMINEES
Arizona School for the Arts - Alex Jerome
Casteel High School - Carter Wise*
Chaparral High School - Cole Carney*
Desert Mountain High School - Trevor Enault
Hamilton High School - Reiley Nymeyer
Maricopa High School - Keara Burke
Mingus Union High School - Asa Marette
Saguaro High School - Alysya Mitchell
Shadow Mountain High School - Maya Channer
Williams Field High School - Tatum Mason*
Single asterisk (*) indicates Honorable Mention
Bolded name indicates Winner
No comments:
Post a Comment
In order to avoid spam, comments will be moderated. Anonymous comments no longer will be allowed. If your comment is from an actual person it will be approved and posted in a timely manner.