2023 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards

MARQUEE May 25, 2023

Season tickets now on sale!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO

Dear High School Musical Fans, Welcome to the 2023 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards (or the HSMTAs for short)! This is an exciting night at the Orpheum and one we look forward to all year.

Working in the business of Broadway, I often hear concerns about the future of the American theatre. The future of our art form depends upon the younger generation of performers and administrators. And as you will see this evening, the talent level of these young people is higher than it has ever been. Given this talent, I am confident the theatre of tomorrow is in very capable hands!

The HSMTAs, of course, start with the teachers, students and school administrators who put on productions in their schools’ auditoriums. These are the individuals who make high school musical theatre happen. They keep this important student activity going year-after-year. For that, we are all eternally grateful.

This year, we have even more non-adjudicated schools represented at the awards. We are happy to welcome these schools to the HSMTAs. The Orpheum Theatre Group’s Education and Community Engagement Department puts a lot of effort into these awards every year. From administrators, judges, tech staff, creative team and others involved, these individuals keep the annual celebration current and professional. I thank them all.

I thank the parents and caregivers of the students involved. You drive these young people to rehearsal and pick them up late at night. You encourage their theatrical endeavors and support them on their journey. You are the unsung heroes of the HSMTAs. None of this would happen without you.

Finally, a great big shout-out of appreciation to our supporters who give to make the HSMTAs happen. Your donations recognize the value of the performing arts in a high school setting. We are eternally grateful for your generosity.

Everyone at the Orpheum Theatre Group is proud of our HSMTA program. It is the only regional program in the country that crosses three state lines. Our finalists make us smile every year when they go to NYC to participate in the Jimmy Awards. The productions performed in high schools throughout the Mid-South are top notch in every way. What you are about to see on stage confirms that!

Thank you for being here tonight. Enjoy the 2023 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Brett Batterson President & CEO Orpheum Theatre Group

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Patty and George Alvord The Barefoot Bride Baptiste and Smittick Family Veronica and Brett Batterson Farris Bobango PLC Andy Dean Production Services directFX Ted and Jan Donaldson Karen Fields-Isaacman and Ken Isaacman Friends of the Orpheum (FOTO) Keri and Doug Gage Gould’s Academy Jennifer McGrath Grove Park Dental Group Robin and Billy Orgel Paulsen Printing PCS Managed Services Production One Sedgwick Cheryl and Bill Stegbauer Ticketmaster Lura Elliott Turner, in honor of her favorite music teacher, her mother, Helen Elliott Varsity Spirit

PRODUCTION STAFF

Managing Director................................................................................Lena Wallace Black Director..........................................................................................................Taylor St. John Musical Director/Arrangements/Orchestrations....................................Jason Eschhofen Band Director...................................................................................................Jordan Wells Choreographer..............................................................................................Teqosha White Associate Choreographer...........................................................................Melissa VanPelt Stage Manager..........................................................................................Elizabeth Perkins Assistant Stage Manager......................................................................Sherronda Johnson Technical Director.........................................................................................Chuck Materna Lighting Designer...................................................................................John “Jeo” Owens Audio & Video Production.........................................................................Production One Nomination Slides............................................................Andy Dean Production Services Week in Review Video Segments.......................................................Action Factory NYC Backstage Coordinator...................................................................................Verity Hwang Lead Liaison..........................................................................Kyle Van Frank, HSMTA Alum Musicians.............................Belinda Brannon, Larry Gooch, Corbin Miles, Pete Vescovo Program Designer..........................................................................................Nathan Ashby Nominations Announcement Video.........................................................Jessica Johnson Judges........................................................................Lawrence Blackwell, Kevin Cochran, Marcus Cox, Sandy Kozik, Dave Landis, Mandy Martin, Elizabeth Perkins, Courtney Sage, Karon Samuels, Evelyn Young, Niambi Webster Lead Actor & Actress Panel..................Lawrence Blackwell, Sandy Kozik, Dave Landis, Breyannah Tillman, Cecelia Wingate Student Technical, Creative, & Stage Management Panel....................Becky Casperson, Jeremy Fisher, Sherronda Johnson 2023 High School Musical Theatre Awards Hosts..........................................Vera Brown, Brima Gassama, HSMTA Alums Executive Producer..................................................................................Jennifer McGrath SPECIAL THANKS TO Our generous sponsors, the Orpheum Theatre Group Board of Directors, the Orpheum Theatre Group Staff, FOTO volunteers, Orpheum STAR Council, IATSE Crew, Playhouse on the Square, Nick Black, Tennessee Shakespeare Company, and the countless others who make this event possible.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Arlington High School - Seussical Bartlett High School - Hairspray Bolton High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Briarcrest Christian School - Tuck Everlasting Cabot High School - Anything Goes Chester County High School - Freaky Friday Christian Brothers High School - The Robber Bridegroom Collierville High School - Anastasia Cordova High School - Sweeney Todd Crosstown High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Evangelical Christian School - Kiss Me, Kate Fayette Academy - The Addams Family: School Edition First Assembly Christian School - The Wizard of Oz Germantown High School - The Addams Family: School Edition Harding Academy Searcy - The Sound of Music Harding Academy of Memphis - Freaky Friday Hernando High School - Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Houston High School - Chicago: Teen Edition Hutchison - Cinderella Jackson Christian School - The Sound of Music KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Lausanne Collegiate School - Mamma Mia! Lewisburg High School - The Addams Family: School Edition Madison-Ridgeland Academy - Freaky Friday Memphis University School The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Middle College High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Milan High School - Beauty and the Beast Munford High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant New Albany High School - Oklahoma!

Northpoint Christian School - Annie Olive Branch High School - Sister Act Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts - The Wiz Ridgeway High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Sacred Heart of Jesus High School - The Tempest South Gibson County High School - Shrek the Musical Southaven High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant St. Agnes Academy - Newsies St. Benedict at Auburndale - Into the Woods St. George’s Independent School - Beauty and the Beast St. Mary’s Episcopal School - The Sound of Music The Academies at Jonesboro High School - High School Musical The Collegiate School of Memphis - Non-Adjudicated Participant Tipton Christian Academy - Non-Adjudicated Participant Tipton-Rosemark Academy - The SpongeBob Musical White Station High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Whitehaven High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Wynne High School - Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

OPENING & CLOSING PERFORMERS

Abbey Price

Elle Fowler

Mac Collins

Abigail Gray

Ellyn Beebe

Mareka Pepple

Addi Haynes

Emily Armistead

Mary Pence

Addie Taylor

Emily Ohler

Massimo Valentino

Addison Rennaker

Evelyne Jones

Max Thompson

Aden Williams

Evie Bartlett

Megan Spillyards

Adrian Rayo

Gabrielle Brewer

Mirrah Woods

Alane Barnett

Hallie Hendren

Naeemah Handley

Alexia Cole

Holly Wolfe

Nicholas Luter

Alle Rose Parker

Isabella Coons

Owen Clayton

Alyssa McNinch

Jacob Galloway

Pedro Watson

Amyia Jordan

Jade Renfroe

Piper Selah

Annabelle Lawler

Jay Love

Rachel Hodges

Anneliese Lum

Jenna Kimery

Rhegan Hunter

Audrey Wilkerson

Johnathan Dance

Roman Neal

Ben Clayton

Julia Mason

Ron’Darius Taylor

Brady Anderson

Kaci Rae McNabb

Ruth Najera-Gamez

Brady Jones

Kasandra Blankenship

Ryan Cashon

Brokke Scott

Katherine Enlow

Sarah Cameron

Brooke Routen

Kaylee Staten

Sarah Fletcher

Caleb Mynatt

Kimber Shaw

Sydney Holladay

Chase Roberts

Kylee Oldham

Taylor Griffin

Clare Kluttz

Kyra Hollmon

Tia Lyons

Cody Rivera

Laila Mays

Tiffany Brooks

Connor Weatherford

Liam Rudewicz

Trinity Brooks

De’Airse Ragland

Liza Russ

Truman May

Donovan Smith

Luke Flowers

Ella Scott

Ma’Kyha Doyle

A MESSAGE FROM OUR VP OF EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Welcome to the 2023 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards!

We are so delighted you are here with us tonight to witness the hard work, passion, dedication, and talent of students and educators from all over the Mid-South. This evening is the culmination of a full year program that serves 47 schools across three states at no cost to them and now welcomes all schools within our geographic radius - regardless of whether or not they have produced a musical – making the program accessible to more students than ever before.

This year we celebrate the jukebox musical – a motif that has become quite popular in the musical theater canon and that can transport us to different times and places, all while bringing us together and teaching us about ourselves and the world. Theater has the power to do that and so much more, and this program continues to instill confidence and create opportunities for positive expression while connecting its participants and building community year after year.

Thank you for joining us tonight and demonstrating once again how vibrant and valuable the arts are, especially for our young people and in our schools. With your continued support we can keep changing lives, inspiring positive action, and bringing a lot of much needed joy into the world! Don’t ever stop believing that we can and we hope to see you dancing in the streets!

With much gratitude and in community,

Jennifer McGrath Vice President, Education & Community Engagement Orpheum Theatre Group

JUNE 22 - JULY 2

ORPHEUM THEATRE • ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM

BROADWAY’S NEXT GENERATION! Two students from our program will join teens from across the U.S. to compete for top honors in a one-night-only showcase at

®

JUNE 26, 2023 Stream online or join us at Broadway’s Viewing and ticket info:

Minskoff Theatre

JimmyAwards.com @JimmyAwards Presented by

is proud to sponsor this year’s Awards!

Congrats to all the nominees!

— Cheryl and Bill Stegbauer

Break a leg!

Proud sponsor of the High School Musical Theatre Awards since 2010

Congratulations and best wishes to all the nominees!

Proud to be a sponsor!

Congrats to the nominees!

Thanks for lighting up the stage PRODUCTION ONE!

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING SMALL ENSEMBLE Lumiere and Cogsworth - Milan High School – Beauty and the Beast The Wickersham Brothers - Arlington High School - Seussical Donna, Tonya, and Rosie - Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia! The Spirits – Sacred Heart of Jesus High School – The Tempest The 6 Merry Murderesses - Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Joey, Pablo, and TJ - Olive Branch High School – Sister Act The Easy Street Trio - Northpoint Christian School – Annie

OUTSTANDING LARGE ENSEMBLE sponsored by Gould’s Academy

The Full Cast - Memphis University School The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee The Ancestors – Fayette Academy – The Addams Family: School Edition The Full Cast – Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate The Full Cast - Harding Academy of Memphis – Freaky Friday The Full Cast – Christian Brothers High School – The Robber Bridegroom The Basketball Team – The Academies at Jonesboro High School High School Musical The Full Cast - Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia!

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING CHORUS

sponsored by Karen Fields-Isaacman and Ken Isaacman St. Agnes Academy – Newsies Christian Brothers High School – The Robber Bridegroom Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia! St. Mary’s Episcopal School – The Sound of Music Milan High School – Beauty and the Beast

OUTSTANDING STUDENT ORCHESTRA Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Collierville High School – Anastasia Harding Academy of Memphis – Freaky Friday Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts – The Wiz

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING DANCE EXECUTION Germantown High School – The Addams Family: School Edition Bartlett High School – Hairspray Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia! Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Cabot High School – Anything Goes St. Agnes Academy – Newsies Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY Cabot High School – Anything Goes Christian Brothers High School – The Robber Bridegroom Collierville High School – Anastasia Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia! Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Bartlett High School – Hairspray Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING PLAYBILL sponsored by Paulsen Printing

Tipton – Rosemark Academy – The SpongeBob Musical New Albany High School – Oklahoma!

Bartlett High School – Hairspray Cabot High School – Anything Goes Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Madison - Ridgeland Academy – Freaky Friday Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia!

OUTSTANDING POSTER sponsored by directFX

Bartlett High School – Hairspray Jackson Christian School – The Sound of Music Hutchison – Cinderella St. Benedict at Auburndale – Into the Woods Tipton – Rosemark Academy – The SpongeBob Musical Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia! Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING FRONT OF HOUSE sponsored by Friends of the Orpheum (FOTO)

Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia! St. Agnes Academy – Newsies Milan High School – Beauty and the Beast New Albany High School – Oklahoma!

Cabot High School – Anything Goes Tipton – Rosemark Academy – The SpongeBob Musical Bartlett High School – Hairspray

OUTSTANDING ARTISTIC ELEMENT The Torture Device – Germantown High School The Addams Family: School Edition The Train – Collierville High School – Anastasia The Water Skirts – Briarcrest Christian School – Tuck Everlasting The Frog Trays – Chester County High School – Freaky Friday The Elephant – Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition The Fairy Tale Props – South Gibson County High School – Shrek the Musical Mount Humongous – Tipton – Rosemark Academy – The SpongeBob Musical

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKEUP sponsored by The Barefoot Bride

Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition South Gibson County High School – Shrek the Musical Lausanne Collegiate School – Mamma Mia! Bartlett High School – Hairspray Milan High School – Beauty and the Beast Christian Brothers High School – The Robber Bridegroom

OUTSTANDING COSTUMES Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Collierville High School – Anastasia Briarcrest Christian School – Tuck Everlasting Hutchison – Cinderella South Gibson County High School – Shrek the Musical Milan High School – Beauty and the Beast Bartlett High School – Hairspray

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING

sponsored by Andy Dean Production Services Cabot High School – Anything Goes Bartlett High School – Hairspray Briarcrest Christian School – Tuck Everlasting New Albany High School – Oklahoma!

Arlington High School – Seussical Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate

OUTSTANDING SET

sponsored by Veronica and Brett Batterson South Gibson County High School – Shrek the Musical Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate Bartlett High School – Hairspray New Albany High School – Oklahoma!

Christian Brothers High School – The Robber Bridegroom Briarcrest Christian School – Tuck Everlasting Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition

NOMINEES NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by Baptiste and Smittick Family

St. Mary’s Episcopal School – The Sound of Music Christian Brothers High School – The Robber Bridegroom South Gibson County High School – Shrek the Musical Houston High School – Chicago: Teen Edition Briarcrest Christian School – Tuck Everlasting Evangelical Christian School – Kiss Me, Kate Bartlett High School – Hairspray

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING STUDENT CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

Morgan Hipp Arlington High School Seussical

Jacob Galloway Milan High School Beauty and the Beast

Claire Cagle Brooke Cox Chester County High School Tipton-Rosemark Academy Freaky Friday The SpongeBob Musical

Reece Overby Briarcrest Christian School Tuck Everlasting

Bruna DaRosa St. Benedict at Auburndale Into the Woods

Luke Flowers Arlington High School Seussical

OUTSTANDING STUDENT TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by PCS Managed Services

Anna Kendall Cabot High School Anything Goes

Colin Belger Isaac Harting St. George’s Independent School Collierville High School Beauty and the Beast Anastasia

Nikki Koch Lillian Dischner St. Benedict at Auburndale Tipton - Rosemark Academy Into the Woods The SpongeBob Musical

Kayla Pinckney Arlington High School Seussical

Garrett Buffalo Cabot High School Anything Goes

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING STUDENT STAGE MANAGEMENT sponsored by Jennifer McGrath

Maggy Louderback Arlington High School Seussical

Ashlyn Bradford Collierville High School Anastasia

Adriana McDonald St. Mary’s Episcopal School The Sound of Music

Kat Schaffler St. Benedict at Auburndale Into the Woods

Madelyn Grace Cabot High School Anything Goes

Jamie Bowers Briarcrest Christian School Tuck Everlasting

THE BRAVO AWARD

Indie Mae Landers Erinayo Obadina St. George’s Independent School St. Mary’s Episcopal School Beauty and the Beast The Sound of Music

Jim Patterson St. Agnes Academy Newsies

NOMINEES

THE INSPIRING TEACHER AWARD

Angelia Johnson Fayette Academy

Mary Beth Muncie New Albany High School

Lalania Vaughn John Smiley Tipton – Rosemark Academy Christian Brothers High School

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION sponsored by Patty and George Alvord

Tammy Holt - Briarcrest Christian School Tuck Everlasting Julia Cumming - Evangelical Christian School Kiss Me, Kate Katie Shea - Lausanne Collegiate School Mamma Mia! Joel P. Rogers - Houston High School Chicago: Teen Edition Carol Ann Williams - Chester County High School Freaky Friday Jacob Dowdy - Jackson Christian School The Sound of Music Timothy Wise - Germantown High School The Addams Family: School Edition

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING FEATURED DANCER

TJ Stephney Collierville High School Anastasia

Mary Davenport Regena Portis Germantown High School New Albany High School The Addams Family: School Edition Oklahoma!

Owen McCulley Ta’khyla Tullison Sacred Heart of Jesus High School Overton High School for the The Tempest Creative and Performing Arts The Wiz

Kage Cliburn Hernando High School

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Morgan Paige St. Agnes Academy Newsies

ENTERTAIN. EDUCATE. ENLIGHTEN. The mission of the Orpheum Theatre Group is to enhance the communities we serve by utilizing the performing arts to entertain, educate, and enlighten while preserving the historic Orpheum Theatre and the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we rely on your contributions to keep the sparkle in our chandeliers and the glimmer in our gold leaf. Your generosity helps us take students on learning adventures, provides professional development workshops for local educators, and makes the arts accessible to all Mid-South families.

Learn more at Orpheum-Memphis.com/Give

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR sponsored by Keri and Doug Gage

Chase Epps Hernando High School Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Hunt Pipkin Chester County High School Freaky Friday

Bennett Hale Briarcrest Christian School Tuck Everlasting

Caleb Shirron Cabot High School Anything Goes

William B. Tomlinson

Cooper Neely Milan High School Beauty and the Beast

William Goudy

Harding Academy of Memphis Tipton - Rosemark Academy

Freaky Friday

The SpongeBob Musical

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS sponsored by Robin and Billy Orgel

Mary Alice Murphy Khiyarai Saladin Ella Williamson Erin Dambrie St. George’s Independent School Lewisburg High School Tipton - Rosemark Academy Christian Brothers High School Beauty and the Beast The Addams Family: School Edition The SpongeBob Musical The Robber Bridegroom

Emma Stockdale Collierville High School Anastasia

Lizzy Beehn Harding Academy Searcy The Sound of Music

Chaney Petty Jackson Christian School The Sound of Music

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Walker Warne

Colby Duncan

Christian Brothers High School

South Gibson County High School

The Robber Bridegroom

Shrek the Musical

Kyle Thomas Lewisburg High School The Addams Family: School Edition

Logan Williams Cabot High School Anything Goes

Elliot Lear Bartlett High School Hairspray

Aden Pettet Collierville High School Anastasia

Spencer Newberry Germantown High School The Addams Family: School Edition

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Fifi Younker St. Mary’s Episcopal School The Sound of Music

Mary Thomas Hattier Collierville High School Anastasia

Zoe Zerwig Ford Hutchison Cinderella

Lauren Brown St. Agnes Academy Newsies

Malee Davidson Madison-Ridgeland Academy Freaky Friday

Sydney Jackson Kiersten Boyd Evangelical Christian School Overton High School for the Kiss Me, Kate Creative and Performing Arts The Wiz

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR sponsored by Farris Bobango PLC

Micah Langston Wynne High School Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

Whit Robbins New Albany High School Oklahoma!

Lucas Rayborn Bartlett High School Hairspray

Parker Mednikow Zack Clark Briarcrest Christian School Lewisburg High School Tuck Everlasting The Addams Family: School Edition

Brandon Sewell Cade Harkness Germantown High School Tipton - Rosemark Academy The Addams Family: School Edition The SpongeBob Musical

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS sponsored by Cheryl and Bill Stegbauer

Campbell Williams Zaebrea McClain Josie Todd Evangelical Christian School Germantown High School Briarcrest Christian School Kiss Me, Kate The Addams Family: School Edition Tuck Everlasting

Hannah Moore Houston High School Chicago: Teen Edition

Paige Austin Chester County High School Freaky Friday

Hailey Brown

Zoë Goolsby

Northpoint Christian School

First Assembly Christian School

Annie

The Wizard of Oz

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION BY A TEACHER sponsored by Lura Elliott Turner, in honor of her favorite music teacher, her mother, Helen Elliott Kirie Walz - Bartlett High School Hairspray Mary Hicks - Chester County High School Freaky Friday Kell Christie - Houston High School Chicago: Teen Edition John Smiley - Christian Brothers High School The Robber Bridegroom Lynden Jones - Evangelical Christian School Kiss Me, Kate Rachel King-Barr - Briarcrest Christian School Tuck Everlasting Ashley Bugg Brown - Lausanne Collegiate School Mamma Mia!

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION sponsored by Ted and Jan Donaldson

Tipton - Rosemark Academy The SpongeBob Musical

Houston High School Chicago: Teen Edition

New Albany High School Oklahoma!

Bartlett High School Hairspray

Lausanne Collegiate School Mamma Mia!

Evangelical Christian School Kiss Me, Kate

Cabot High School Anything Goes

SENIOR STAR COUNCIL STAR Council (Students Take A Role) is a service organization that offers any Memphis area high school student the opportunity to “take a role” by providing theatrically based opportunities for both learning and volunteering. Students meet monthly to participate in community service opportunities while also exploring how theatre works in service to the community it is a part of. Orpheum staff “headliners” speak to students about the many professional opportunities there are in the theatrical world and how every role is of service to the overall mission of the Orpheum. Students are also required to complete service hours by volunteering for fun opportunities such as ushering for Broadway Musicals, assisting with Kids Night on Broadway, and providing support for the High School Musical Theatre Awards.

You can learn more about becoming a STAR Council member at Orpheum-Memphis.com/StarCouncil The following Senior STAR Council Students have completed all attendance and service requirements in order to be recognized as a Super STAR Senior!

Adisyn Halloran

Adrian Rayo

Alexander Osborne

Ashlyn Bradford

Brianna Szewcyk

Brooke Cox

Conner Boggs

Griffin Mednikow

Israel Rusch

Laniah Bowdery

Megan Spillyards

Rebekah Butler

Tiffany Brooks

STAFF BIOS

JASON ESCHHOFEN (he/him) is very excited to be back music directing the High School Musical Theatre Awards this year! He has been a part of the music team since 2017. Jason is currently the Resident Sound Designer for Theatre Memphis and has been music directing at nearly every theatre in the Mid-South over the past 10 years. Some of his favorites include Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Playhouse on the Square), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Theatre Memphis), Ruthless (Theatre Memphis), The Fantasticks (The Link Theatre Company in Jonesboro), Matilda (Harrell Theatre) and next to normal (Germantown Community Theatre). Jason has a B.A. in Voice Performance and Music Recording Technology from Bowling Green State University and a M.M. in Voice Performance from the University of Memphis. Huge thank you to Jennifer and Lena as well as all of the students who make this one of my favorite times of year!

ELIZABETH PERKINS currently works with K-12 independent schools on their marketing efforts with the North Star Management Agency. Previously, she served as the Director of Admission and Marketing for Westminster Academy in Memphis, TN but started her career as the Production Stage Manager at Theatre Memphis. In the twenty years since, she has been involved in over 100 productions in Memphis, both on and off stage, including stage managing 33 of those. In her spare time, Elizabeth serves as the Director for the Memphis Ostrander Awards (Memphis’ theatre awards for collegiate, community, and professional theatre), on the Board of Directors at Theatre Memphis, and routinely leads workshops for those interested in stage management.

TAYLOR ST. JOHN (he/him) is a theatre maker and educator and serves as the Director of Education and Engagement at the Orpheum Theatre Group in Memphis, TN. At the Orpheum he directs the Teaching Artist Training Program where he collaborates and coaches Mid-South artists to educate and engage with youth and communities. As a teaching artist, he has developed and led programs for the nationally recognized Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, the award-winning Barrington Stage Company, and most recently with the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. As a theatre director, he works at the intersection of theatre, community, and education. Recent directing credits include: My Hood/ My Home/My Sacred Haven, A Ferry Tale, Stories of Home, Figuring Life Out, The Gospel According to Bickford with the Orpheum Theatre Group, Pericles (Tennessee Shakespeare Co.), Shaming Jane Doe, She Kills Monsters (University of Memphis), and Elephant’s Graveyard (Voices of the South). He holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Memphis and degrees in Theatre and Education from Indiana University.

MELISSA VANPELT was born and raised in Memphis, TN. She is a graduate of Overton High School where she was a member of the choir. Upon graduation, Melissa went to AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in New York City. Her musical

theater credits include Hairspray on Broadway as Inez, Hairspray (National Tour) as Inez/understudy Dynamites, Ain’t Misbehavin, Once on this Island, Dreamgirls, Fame, and Purlie. She also performed in the 25th Anniversary of Hairspray with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra featuring John Waters.

While living in NYC, Melissa joined the USO Show troupe, serving as dance captain and traveling the country performing for the military and their families. Melissa has been a featured vocalist at various amusement parks and cruise ships, starting with Libertyland, and is the recipient of the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) award for female vocalist of the year.

After 12 years in NYC, she returned to Memphis and continues to work in commercials (Fedex, NST Law firm, Southland Casino, Draft Kings, David Gordon Law Firm, Jimmy Gray Chevrolet), film (Coming To Africa, This Can’t Be Life Web Series, Choices Short Film), and as a choreographer.

LENA WALLACE BLACK is the Managing Director of the High School Musical Theatre Awards, the largest task that falls under her title of Education and Engagement Manager with the Orpheum Theatre Group. Some of Lena’s other favorite tasks include managing STAR Council and serving as Camp Manager for both Mending Hearts Camp and Camp SAY: Across the USA- Memphis. Lena has a BFA in Theatre Performance from The University of Memphis and is an Ostrander Award winning actress that has performed on most stages in the Memphis area. She has dedicated her career to educational theatre and is honored to be a part of this program that does so much to enrich the lives of theatre students in the tri-state area.

JORDAN WELLS is a Teaching Artist with the Orpheum Theatre Group and a performing arts teacher with Tipton County Public Schools. Classically trained, he has performed various roles in musical theater and opera, such roles as Tobias (Sweeney Todd), Tony (West Side Story), and Rodolfo (La Boheme). Jordan is also an active music director in the Mid-South and artistic advisor to the Tipton Arts Council.

TEQOSHA WHITE is the Resident Teaching Artist at the Orpheum Theatre Group in Memphis, TN where she focuses on dance and visual artistry. A graduate of the Orpheum’s Teaching Artist Training Program, Teqosha facilitates the Orpheum’s Interactive Field Trips, From Where I Stand Storytelling program, Mending Hearts Camp, Camp SAY, and more, and also serves as one of the choreographers of the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards. She is a native Memphian and was the winner of the ACT-SO competition before heading on to dance in college where she also served on the Memphis Pom Team. She has worked for Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the YMCA of Cordova, and in a variety of camps, child cares, and school support programs.

Teqosha plans to use her gifts to bring the different sectors of Memphis together in community.

JUDGES BIOS COURTNEY SAGE (she/her/hers) is honored to be a part of this year’s High School Musical Theatre Awards! She is a native Memphian as well as an alum of the HSMTA program. Courtney holds her BFA in Theatre Performance from University of Memphis (‘16). After her time there, she received the opportunity to work for programs such as The Orpheum’s Broadway Boot Camp, ShoWagon at Theatre Memphis, and the Memphis Grizzlies Mentoring Program. Some of her favorite performance credits include The Mousetrap, Baskerville, Clue, Wit and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Her next project will be Pride and Prejudice at Germantown Community Theatre, directed by fellow judge, Kevin Cochran. She would like to thank Lena Wallace Black for allowing her to be a part of this great program, as well as her own high school theatre teachers, SaraLyn Archibald and Greg Krosnes, who helped to shape her into the artist she is today.

KARON SAMUELS is a director, program coordinator, and teaching artist with a passion for the performing arts. A proud graduate of Howard University’s Fine Arts program, Karon has spent much of her career elevating and celebrating black storytelling and marginalized voices, working with local art nonprofits that support her personal mission of art accessibility and equity.

She serves as Program Coordinator for The Cooler and Outreach Coordinator for The Memphis Black Arts Alliance. She is also an artist in her own right, gracing stages in musicals, plays, spoken word sets, and operas in Memphis and the DMV area. Karon is proud to play her part in creating a sustainable, equitable creative economy in Memphis. She hopes to see the creatives in our city leave a lasting, socially impactful influence in modern media, both onstage and behind the scenes.

LAWRENCE BLACKWELL is the Director of In-Schools Programs at Memphis Music Initiative. As a performing artist, Lawrence has created, directed, and performed pieces that explore African American and Latino American culture. As a professor of theatre, he has worked at Colombia College Chicago, The University of Memphis, Rhodes College, Southwest Community College, and LeMoyne Owen College. He currently serves on the Board of Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre and the Memphis/ Shelby County Film Commission.

ELIZABETH PERKINS currently works with K-12 independent schools on their marketing efforts with the North Star Management Agency. Previously, she served as the Director of Admission and Marketing for Westminster Academy in Memphis, TN but started her career as the Production Stage Manager at Theatre Memphis.

In the twenty years since, she has been involved in over 100 productions in Memphis, both on and off stage, including stage managing 33 of those. In her spare time, Elizabeth serves as the Director for the Memphis Ostrander awards (Memphis’ theatre awards for collegiate, community, and professional theatre), on the Board of Directors at Theatre Memphis, and routinely leads workshops for those interested in stage management.

MANDY MARTIN (she/her) is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Musical Theater department at the University of Memphis. She’s been active on (and behind) stages and mics for over 20 years, including worldwide commercials, 2 summers with an international circus, radio plays, ShoWagon at Theater Memphis, and performing with the Side Street Steppers all across the South. Some of her favorite roles in musicals over the years include Anna in The King & I, Shelley in Batboy, and the Ballet Corp in Phantom of the Opera. She is so thrilled to join these wonderful judges for such an inspiring program and to be able to share her knowledge with new artists! She is currently a wedding planner using her skills “backstage” on wedding days all over the midsouth. When she’s not judging High School Theater, she can be found reading in a cozy chair near her partner, two cats (Gizmo & Charade) and pet snake (Ichabod).

Congratulations to all the artists who hear the call and share the stage!

DAVE LANDIS (Associate Director with Playhouse on the Square) originally hails from West Des Moines, Iowa where he earned his BFA in Theatre from Drake University. Upon receiving an MFA in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin, he started with Playhouse on the Square as a Performance Intern in 1991 and joined the Resident Company the following season. During his 32 year journey with Circuit Playhouse, Inc., Dave’s performance resume includes award-winning roles in Angels in America Parts 1 & 2 (Roy Cohn), Old Wicked Songs (Mashkan), Amadeus (Salieri), and A Man of No Importance (Alfie Byrne). Recognized as an accomplished award-winning director, Dave’s credits include Indecent, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Fun Home, The Bridges of Madison County, Caroline or Change, The Wild Party, Tuck Everlasting, Kinky Boots, Cabaret, Man of La Mancha, Corpus Christi, Frozen, Take Me Out, Love! Valour!

Compassion!, Ragtime, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, and most recently Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.

KEVIN COCHRAN (he/him) is excited to return for his sixth season as an HSMTA judge! He received his BFA in Theatre from the University of Memphis (Class of 2015).

He has had the opportunity to work around the country with Harrisburg Shakespeare Company, Popcorn Hat Players Children’s Theatre, and Hampstead Stage Company, as well as the Orpheum, Theatre Memphis, Germantown Community Theatre, and New Moon Theatre Company, where he serves on the Board of Directors.

Some favorite directing credits include Shockheaded Peter (Ostrander Nominee for Direction), Wit, To Kill a Mockingbird, Barefoot in the Park, The Pillowman, and Killer Joe. Some favorite acting credits include Art, Twelfth Night, The Normal Heart, and The Physicists (Ostrander Award for Supporting Actor). His work is dedicated to his friends and family, both here and departed. www.jkevincochran.com

JUDGES BIOS

EVELYN YOUNG is a native of Omaha, Nebraska where she attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, majoring in Social Work and Youth Services.

She relocated to Memphis, Tennessee in August 2011.

Ms. Young has more than 40 years of musical and theatrical interaction, spanning through Nebraska, Illinois and on to Tennessee. Evelyn has crossed the stage a few times over the past 40 years taking roles in a wide range of productions including. Show Boat, Chicago, Smokey Joe’s Café, Raisin in the Sun, Mama I Want to Sing, We Shall Overcome, Dreamgirls, Annie, Black Cabaret, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

In 2017, she was named by Broadway World News for, Best Featured Actress in a Musical over 25, for her role as Ms. Hannigan in Annie. She is currently employed as the Director at the Ruth Tate Senior Community Center with the City of Memphis Parks, but favorably finds time to engage in a variety of service-oriented venues in her community. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Board with the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, performs as a vocalist with the Memphis Letter Carriers Band, and is the Tennessee Recreation Professional Association Board Nominating Committee Chair.

NIAMBI D. WEBSTER is a music/theatre artist raised in Batesville, Arkansas. She completed a Doctorate of Theology at Jacksonville Theological Seminary, a PhD from The University of Iowa, Masters of Science from Mankato State U, and BFA from Drake University. She is an ordained African Methodist Episcopal minister serving at Wilson AME Chapel.

She directed children’s theatre for three seasons at HATTILOO. She played Odessa in The Amen Corner, and Aunt Duke in Mahalia, as well as other productions. She has appeared in several productions for Playhouse on the Square (her most memorable was Idella in Purlie), Bluff City Theatre, New Moon, Opera Memphis, Evergreen Theatre, Theatre Memphis, Arts of Fire Theatre Troupe and most recently, the Memphis In[HERITANCE] Project, and she was the artistic director of The Juneteenth Story at The Cannon Center. She serves on the board of directors at Theatre Memphis and directs plays for schools and serves as a Theatre coordinator for civic organizations throughout the community, such as the NAACP’s ACT-SO. Dr. Webster tours throughout the country with four one-woman shows: One More Baby Child Born, Four Women: Sojourner, Tubman, Bethune, & Obam, Black Arts in Motion, and From the Spirit Within Me. She is a motivational speaker, conducts in-service workshops on diversity training and using the fine arts to teach at-risk students. She is retired after teaching 51 years, 28 years as an Associate Professor of curriculum & instruction on the collegiate level, and 23 in the Memphis Shelby County Schools teaching Theatre, dance, speech and English .

MARCUS COX is a native of Memphis, TN and is a graduate of Watkins Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. He was Director of Community Relations and Arts Marketing Cohort for Playhouse on the Square, a professional regional theatre company in Memphis’ Performing Arts District, Overton Square. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Performance from The University of Memphis, and has performed and traveled as a professional actor across the United States. Marcus is the former Staffing and Training Manager for Seasons 52 Restaurants in Atlanta, Tampa, New York, and Memphis. He also served as Public Relations Manager for the National Global America Pageant Organization.

Marcus served on the Board of Directors of the Metro Memphis Attractions Association as Vice President.

Marcus maintains memberships with the Young Professionals Council for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Shelby County Arts Council, The Miss America Organization, and Americans for the Arts, where he is also an Emerging Leaders Council member. A product of the Memphis Arts community, Marcus has performed in productions at the Hattiloo Theatre, Theatre Memphis, and with Playhouse on the Square. Marcus is a multiple time Ostrander winner with awards for Best Supporting Actor for his role in American Son at Theatre Memphis. He was honored in the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Class of 2021 certification, a 2019 Kindle Awards Recipient and Who’s Who Among American Marketing Professionals. Marcus has been married to his wife Tasha for 19 years. They have one daughter, Kelsey, 15. Marcus and his family are members of Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova and serve in the Marriage and Family Ministry.

SANDY KOZIK BFA in Theatre from U of Memphis; Ringling Bros. Clown College (’77) toured with the Clyde Beatty/Cole Bros. Circus for ten years. He spent the next 30 years as an Arts Education Administrator using the aesthetic education models of Lincoln Center and Wolf Trap at DeltaARTS in West Memphis, AR. and other nonprofits in Memphis. Although retired, he still acts, directs, and is a teaching artist. He is on the board of Friends of George’s (the group that is suing Tennessee over the anti-drag bill) who just received the 2023 Dramatists Legal Defense Fund award in NYC and believes that theatre is a safe place for all.

He has been with HSMTA since it began in Memphis.

He and his husband live with a Pug and Boston Terrier in midtown.

congratulations

CABOT THEATRE

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2023 HSMTA NOMINATIONS Outstanding Dance Execution Outstanding Student Technical Achievement: Outstanding Choreography Anna Kendall Outstanding Playbill Outstanding Student Technical Achievement: Outstanding Front of House Garrett Buffalo Outstanding Lighting Outstanding Student Stage Manager: Outstanding Overall Production Maddy Grace Outstanding Featured Actor:

CALEB SHIRRON

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Outstanding Supporting Actor:

LOGAN WILLIAMS

CONGNTGLATIONS

TO COLLIERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL’S

ON THEIR 10 NOMINATIONS!

Congratulations to the Cast & Crew of “Kiss Me, Kate!”

We are so proud of the teamwork that created this production!

Nominated for Outstanding Large Ensemble Outstanding Chorus Outstanding Dance Execution Outstanding Choreography Outstanding Hair and Makeup

Outstanding Lighting Outstanding Supporting Actress Sydney Jackson Outstanding Set Outstanding Lead Actress Outstanding Technical Achievement Campbell Williams Outstanding Music Direction Outstanding Direction by a Teacher Julia Cumming Lynden Jones Outstanding Overall Production

CONGRATULATIONS HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL

CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION

17 NOMINATIONS OUTSTANDING SMALL ENSEMBLE OUTSTANDING CHORUS OUTSTANDING STUDENT ORCHESTRA OUTSTANDING DANCE EXECUTION OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY OUTSTANDING PLAYBILL OUTSTANDING POSTER OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS OUTSTANDING DIRECTION BY A TEACHER OUTSTANDING ARTISTIC ELEMENT OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKEUP OUTSTANDING COSTUMES OUTSTANDING LIGHTING OUTSTANDING SET OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION

WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR AMAZING CAST, CREW AND FACULTY!

Congratulations

to the cast and crew of “Mamma Mia!”

• Small Ensemble - Donna, Tonya & Rosie • Large Ensemble - Full Cast • Chorus NOMINATED FOR 12 • Dance Execution • Choreography High School Musical Theatre • Playbill Awards—the most nominations • Poster Lausanne has received since 2012!

• Front Of House • Hair And Make-Up • Music Direction - Katie Shea • Director - Ashley Bugg-Brown • Overall Production

Way to go, Lynx!

1381 West Massey Road, Memphis, TN 901.474.1030 lausanneschool.com

CONGRATULATIONS NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL

8 HSMTA NOMINATIONS

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CONGRATULATIONS to the

ST. AGNES ACADEMY CAST AND CREW OF

“NEWSIES”

NOMINATED FOR Outstanding Chorus Outstanding Dance Execution Outstanding Front of House The BRAVO Award - JIM PATTERSON as Les Outstanding Featured Dancer - MORGAN PAIGE Outstanding Supporting Actress - LAUREN BROWN as Davey

Visit Today!

St. Agnes Academy 4830 Walnut Grove Rd. Memphis, TN 38117 901-767-1377 www.saa-sds.org

Congratulations to the talented cast and crew of

Nominated!

Colin Belger ’25 for “Outstanding Student Technical Achievement” Mary Alice Murphy ’23 for “Outstanding Featured Actress” Indie Mae Landers ’29 for the “Bravo Award”

honoring a middle school performance in a high school play Special thanks to Isabella Coons ’25 for representing St. George’s as a dancer in the opening and closing numbers!

Congratulations to All the Winners!

NOMINATIONS FOR THE SOUND OF MUSIC Outstanding Chorus Outstanding Technical Achievement Outstanding Student Stage Management Achievement | Adriana McDonald ’24 The Bravo Award | Erinayo Obadina ’32 as Marta Outstanding Supporting Actress | Sophie Younker ’23 as Liesl

60 Perkins Extended | Memphis, TN | (901) 537-1405 | www.stmarysschool.org St. Mary’s does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic or national origin in admission or in any other activities or programs of the School.

Congratulations to the

Wynne High School cast and crew of

and to Outstanding Lead Actor nominee Micah Langston

#JacketsThrive “Once a Jacket, Always a Jacket”

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Freaky Friday on their HSMTA nominations!

HardingLions.org

Outstanding Large Ensemble (full cast) Outstanding Student Orchestra Outstanding Featured Actor (Brooks Tomlinson)

Congratulations Hannah ON YOUR NOMINATION FOR

Outstanding Lead Actress!!

We are so proud of you!

Love, Dad, Mom, Aaron, Shelby, Ellie and Benji

Micah, We are so proud to see you on the Orpheum stage! What an honor!

Son, you can accomplish anything you put your heart into!

Phil 4:13 Love, Mom & Dad

We are so proud of you TJ! Congratulations!

Love, Dad, Mom, Grayson, and Grandma.

We are so proud of you Kaycee!

Love - Mom & Dad, Michael, Mason, Nana & PawPaw, Gammie, Mr. Donald & Mrs. Brenda, Auntie, Aunt Kel, Mo & Sam

WillYou’ll always be our favorite cowboy!

“You’re doin’ fine, Oklahoma!

Oklahoma, OK!” Love, Mom, Dad, Beau, and Nana

WANTED

ANNABELLE GARY IS WANTED FOR

Colby, You entertained us as Lord Farquaad in the most brilliant way and we are so proud of you!

Love- Mom, Dad, Austin, Bryce and Lila

A sassy attitude A pleasing personality Intelligent communication A kind heart WILL HUG ON CAPTURE

Congratulations from Grandy, Nana, Ma, and Deeb

Reach for your dreams.

We are so proud of you!

Love, Anne, Wade, Dp, and Anna

You were born to be our Patrick STAR. We are proud of you every single day!

Love, Herb & Margie Star (Dad & Mom)

Beauty, Intelligence, and Talent all given to you as a blessing from God...

My Somer Sweets, My Baby!

Love your favorite fan, Mom.

Always entertaining.

You’re a joy. Congrats William!

- Dad, Mom & Bryce

We are proud of you!

Momma Di, Hugh Daddy, Daddy, Allison, Lem, and James Norman!!

Congratulations Calvin and Luke!

We are so proud of you. Shine bright!

Love, Mom, Dad, and Addie

Congratulations, Parker!

We love you, Mama, Daddy, Sassy, Griffin, Fannie and Khaki!

WOMEN OF SOUL JUNE 11 | HALLORAN CENTRE ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM

Congratulations Erin! We are so proud of you and the whole cast and crew of Robber Bridegroom. Love, Mom & Dad

Congratulations! We’re so Proud of You! Keep Shining!

- With Love TeeTee Nisha, Uncle KB & Taegyn

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

ENGAGING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS The Orpheum Theatre Group believes in the power of the arts to transform the world on a local and global level. We strive to provide access to quality arts programming for all people and to educate and build community through collaboration, story-sharing, and creative expression. We build confidence and creativity. We create space for people to share their truths and hear the truths of others, engaging in listening and dialogue that can heal and inspire us. We cultivate future onstage and behind-the-scenes leaders of the arts industry and more empathetic humans who are effective and compassionate communicators. We empower educators by providing innovative educational strategies that connect with students of all abilities. We celebrate and uplift existing communities while building bridges among others. We create social change and transformation through arts-inspired action. And most importantly, we celebrate our differences while simultaneously discovering our shared humanity and building bridges across communities.

Vice President of Education & Community Engagement.....................Jennifer McGrath Director of Education & Engagement.......................................................Taylor St. John Education & Engagement Manager....................................................Lena Wallace Black Resident Teaching Artist...............................................................................Teqosha White Education & Engagement Administrator......................................................Verity Hwang

EVERY GIFT MATTERS As a non-profit theatre, the Orpheum relies on the financial support of individuals — like you — to help make magic and realize its mission including:

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

THE BEST OF ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS EDUCATION

Visit us online and learn all the ways you can give.