2024 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards

MARQUEE May 23, 2024

SEASON TICKETS START AT $35 PER SHOW! VISIT ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM/SEASON.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO

Dear High School Musical Theatre Fans, Welcome to the 2024 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards – celebrating our 15th anniversary of the program this year! 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 school’s 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, as in the past, we also have some non-adjudicated schools represented at the awards. We are happy to welcome these schools, as well as our new partners at the Memphis Youth Symphony Program, to the HSMTAs. The Orpheum Theatre Group’s Education and Community Engagement Department put a lot of effort into these awards every year. From administrators, judges, tech staff, creative team and others involved, these individuals keep the annual awards 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 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 is proud of our HSMTAs 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 MidSouth are top notch in every way. What you are about to see on stage confirms that!

Thank you for being here tonight. Enjoy the 2024 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Brett Batterson President & CEO Orpheum Theatre Group

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PRODUCTION STAFF

Managing Director................................................................................Lena Wallace Black Director..........................................................................................................Taylor St. John Music Direction/Band Leader/Musical Arrangements.........................Jason Eschhofen Music Director..................................................................................................Jordan Wells Choreographer....................................................................................A. Santyria Johnson Associate Choreographer........................................................................Rachael Arnwine Stage Manager..........................................................................................Elizabeth Perkins Assistant Stage Manager.....................................................................Sherronda Johnson Lead Liaison/Assistant Director ..........................................Kyle Van Frank, HSMTA Alum Voice of the HSMTAs.....................................................................................John Phillians Technical Director........................................................................................Chuck Materna Lighting Designer...................................................................................John “Jeo” Owens Audio & Video Production.........................................................................Production One Ceremony Filming...........................................................Andy Dean Production Services Week in Review & Production Video.................................................Action Factory NYC Backstage Coordinators..............................................Rhyan Alleman and Verity Hwang 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, Eileen Kuo, Dave Landis, Mandy Martin, Elizabeth Perkins, Gerardo Rivillas, Courtney Sage, Meredith Serna, Evelyn Young, Niambi Webster Lead Actor & Actress Panel..................Lawrence Blackwell, Sandy Kozik, Dave Landis, Breyannah Tillman, Melissa VanPelt Johnson Student Technical, Creative, & Stage Management Panel..................Becky Caspersen, Jeremy Fisher, Sherronda Johnson Host.........................................................................................Whit Robbins, HSMTA Alum Executive Producer..................................................................................Jennifer McGrath SPECIAL THANKS TO Our generous sponsors, the Orpheum Theatre Group Board of Directors, the Orpheum Theatre Group Staff, Friends of the Orpheum (FOTO) Volunteers, Orpheum STAR Council, IATSE Crew, Memphis Youth Symphony Program, New Moon Theatre, Tangela Mathis, Katelyn Sosebee, and the countless others who make this event possible.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Arlington High School - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Bartlett High School - Disney’s The Little Mermaid Briarcrest Christian School - Curtains School Edition Brighton High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Cabot High School - Alice by Heart Chester County High School - Catch Me If You Can Christian Brothers High School - She Loves Me Collierville High School - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Corinth High School - Newsies Crosstown High - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Desoto Christian Academy - The World According to Snoopy East High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Evangelical Christian School - Mary Poppins Fayette Academy - All Shook Up First Assembly Christian School - Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach Germantown High School - In The Heights Harding Academy Searcy - The Wizard of Oz Harding Academy of Memphis - Seussical Hernando High School - Shrek the Musical Houston High School - Urinetown Hutchison - Annie Jackson Christian School - Shrek the Musical Jackson Preparatory School - My Fair Lady Lakeland Preparatory School - The Lightning Thief Lausanne Collegiate School - The Addams Family Lewisburg High School - Big Fish School Edition

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Madison-Ridgeland Academy - Tuck Everlasting Memphis University School - Mamma Mia! Middle College High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Milan High School - The Lightning Thief Millington Central Middle High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant Munford High School - Hello, Dolly!

New Albany High School - Mary Poppins Northpoint Christian School - Anastasia Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Pulaski Academy - Little Women Sacred Heart of Jesus High School - The Wind in the Willows South Gibson County High School - Disney’s Descendants: The Musical Southaven High School - Mean Girls High School Version St. Agnes Academy - The Addams Family St. Benedict at Auburndale - Xanadu St. George’s Independent School - Freaky Friday St. Mary’s Episcopal School - Legally Blonde The Academies at Jonesboro High School - Oklahoma!

The Collegiate School of Memphis - Non-Adjudicated Participant Tipton Christian Academy - Non-Adjudicated Participant Tipton-Rosemark Academy - Into the Woods University High School - Non-Adjudicated Participant White Station High School - Mean Girls High School Version Wynne High School - Into the Woods

OPENING & CLOSING PERFORMERS

Aja Jones

Evan Stone

Madelyn Stiles

Alexas Joyner

Evelyn Dluhos

Mallory Lafferty

Alleia Bakker

Evie Bartlett

Marshall Rowland

Anna Heflin

Grace Elizabeth Wade

Mason Payne

Anna Claire Jackson

Grant Hawkins

Meredith Ables

Annaliese Nichols

Gray Patterson

Mia Mazzoccoli

Anora Moyer

Jacob Mutter

Mitchell Cohen

Ari Short

Janiya Crutchfield

Morgan Whitaker

Bailee VanLandingham

Jay Love

Payton Martin

Bridie Maki

JennaGrace Jonkman

Quinton Slater

Brit Witherspoon

Jillian Skye Taylor

Reagan Whitledge

Bryce Seay

Jon Worth Garrett

Regan Scott

Caden Emerson

Jonah McKin

Rhegan Hunter

Camden Barber

Jonathan Weston

Riley Burgio

Chris-Tina Vinnett

Joshua Joy

Sarah Fletcher

Cody Floyd

Karleigh Armstrong

Shanndon Bramlett

Daniel Donato

Kasadei Scott

Sofia Guadalupe

Dezaray Futrell

Kate Spiegelman

Sophia de Lucena

Drew Shelton

Kayla George

Spencer Malahy

Drew Caldwell

Kaylee Payne

Tamia Anderson

Elin McDaniel

Kenzie Loeffel

Teresa Nuckolls

Ella Noles

Kyle Thomas

Trad Longeway

Elle Fowler

Lainey Rarick

Tucker Gladden

Emma Hedstrom

Leah Brown

Tyler Curry

Emma Lockwood

Liam Turner

Whitney Garland

Erica Morgan

Liza Pence

Witt Ezzell

Estella Jewel Goad

Logan Smith

Yocelin Lopez

Ethan Choo

Logan Tyms

Zoey Yale

Eva Trout

Lucy Cothern

STUDENT MUSICIANS In partnership with the Memphis Youth Symphony Program The Orpheum Theatre Group is proud to welcome a new partnership for the 2024 season, creating the opportunity for student musicians to rehearse and perform alongside professional artists in our pit orchestra for the 15th Anniversary performance tonight! We are grateful to the Memphis Youth Symphony Program for engaging in this partnership and look forward to its continued development helping us cultivate and recognize young musical artists who provide invaluable enhancement of High School Musical Theatre through their live accompaniment in the orchestra. For more information about the Memphis Youth Symphony, please visit myspmusic.org.

Executive Director, Memphis Youth Symphony Program.........Brittany Cooper-d’Orsay Director of Operations, Memphis Youth Symphony Program.......................Jenny Davis Flute..................................................................Mackenzie Mapes, Hernando High School Clarinet 1..........................................Misha Medvedchuk, Christian Brothers High School Clarinet 2.............................................................Emily Zhang, White Station High School Reed Doubler........................................................Sam Scull, Evangelical Christian School Alto Sax..........................................Brandon Criswell, Faith Heritage Christian Academy Trumpet.....................................................Justin Bowers, Christian Brothers High School Horn........................................................................Cameron Allen, Arlington High School Trombone............................................................Alan Cheng, Memphis University School Violin........................................................................Jack Feng, White Station High School Cello..................................................................................Oscar Ruiz, Bartlett High School

A MESSAGE FROM OUR VP OF EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND HALLORAN CENTRE PROGRAMMING

Welcome to the 2024 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards and our 15th anniversary!

We are thrilled to have you join us this evening to witness the passion, dedication, and talent of students and educators from all over the Mid-South. As the only regional HSMTA program serving 3 states, we are proud to serve 50 schools at no cost and be able to include schools in the program regardless of whether or not they have produced a musical, ensuring greater access and opportunity.

New this year, we are honored to be in partnership with the Memphis Youth Symphony Program to include 10 young and talented musicians in the pit orchestra alongside our professional players tonight. Thank you to MYSP for sparking this idea and to our incredible musical team for making it possible. This is only the beginning, and we look forward to continuing to see this partnership grow and enhance the program.

As we look back to the Golden Age of Musicals tonight, we are reminded that there truly is “no business like show business” and the value of what it can bring to the world – especially to our young people and schools. Thank you for continuing to support the program and help us continue to enrich the lives of these talented teens through creative expression, community building, and the joy of being seen, being heard, and sharing their talents with you.

With much gratitude and in community,

Jennifer McGrath Vice President of Education, Community Engagement, and Halloran Centre Programming Orpheum Theatre Group

MAY 31-JUNE 2 • ORPHEUM ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM

SPONSORED LOCALLY BY

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 24, 2024 Stream online or join us at Broadway’s

Minskoff Theatre

Viewing and ticket info:

JimmyAwards.com @JimmyAwards Presented by

A standing ovation to all the nominees!

PICKLER WEALTH ADVISORS DAVID AND BETH PICKLER

is proud to sponsor this year’s Awards!

Congrats to all the nominees!

— Cheryl and Bill Stegbauer

Break a leg!

- Lisa and John Bobango

Proud sponsor of the High School Musical Theatre Awards since 2010

Congratulations and best wishes to all the nominees!

Thanks for lighting up the stage PRODUCTION ONE!

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING SMALL ENSEMBLE sponsored by Bluff City Advisory Group

The Full Cast – Crosstown High – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee The Insects – First Assembly Christian School – Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach The Ancestors – St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family Donna and the Dynamos – Memphis University School – Mamma Mia! The Tap Dancing Maids – Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels The Bird Girl Greek Chorus – Harding Academy of Memphis – Seussical The Caterpillar – Cabot High School – Alice by Heart

OUTSTANDING LARGE ENSEMBLE sponsored by Gould’s Academy

The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

Corinth High School – Newsies New Albany High School – Mary Poppins Briarcrest Christian School – Curtains School Edition Tipton-Rosemark Academy – Into the Woods Evangelical Christian School – Mary Poppins Arlington High School – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING CHORUS sponsored by The Armstrong Company

St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family Christian Brothers High School – She Loves Me Chester County High School – Catch Me If You Can Hernando High School – Shrek the Musical Lakeland Preparatory School – The Lightning Thief The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu

OUTSTANDING STUDENT ORCHESTRA sponsored by Rick and Kim Fogelman

White Station High School – Mean Girls High School Version The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING DANCE EXECUTION sponsored by Ted Donaldson

Cabot High School – Alice by Heart Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu New Albany High School – Mary Poppins Corinth High School – Newsies

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY sponsored by Daniel Stuart Nelson

Hernando High School – Shrek the Musical New Albany High School – Mary Poppins Corinth High School – Newsies St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

Cabot High School – Alice by Heart Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING PLAYBILL sponsored by Paulsen Printing Company

Wynne High School – Into the Woods Houston High School – Urinetown Lakeland Preparatory School – The Lightning Thief Arlington High School – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast First Assembly Christian School – Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach New Albany High School – Mary Poppins Corinth High School – Newsies

OUTSTANDING POSTER sponsored by directFX

St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu Corinth High School – Newsies Lausanne Collegiate School – The Addams Family Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Houston High School – Urinetown The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

First Assembly Christian School – Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING FRONT OF HOUSE sponsored by Anise and Ron Belz

Corinth High School – Newsies Hutchison - Annie Milan High School – The Lightning Thief Fayette Academy – All Shook Up St. Mary’s Episcopal School – Legally Blonde New Albany High School – Mary Poppins St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family

OUTSTANDING ARTISTIC ELEMENT

sponsored by Dr. Mike and Lisa Cockrell - Cockrell Family Medical Center The Rat’s Boat – Sacred Heart of Jesus High School – The Wind in the Willows Milky White - Tipton-Rosemark Academy – Into the Woods The Flower Cart – Jackson Preparatory School – My Fair Lady The Exploding Toilet – Milan High School – The Lightning Thief The Light Up Cubes – DeSoto Christian Academy – The World According to Snoopy The Bug Puppets – First Assembly Christian School –

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKEUP sponsored by Blo Blow Dry Bar - Germantown

Bartlett High School – Disney’s The Little Mermaid St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family Houston High School – Urinetown Christian Brothers High School – She Loves Me Jackson Preparatory School – My Fair Lady New Albany High School – Mary Poppins St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu

OUTSTANDING COSTUMES sponsored by Jim and Kathryn Gilliland Houston High School – Urinetown Jackson Preparatory School – My Fair Lady Hernando High School – Shrek the Musical St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING

sponsored by Andy Dean Production Services Chester County High School – Catch Me If You Can New Albany High School – Mary Poppins Lakeland Preparatory School – The Lightning Thief The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Evangelical Christian School – Mary Poppins

OUTSTANDING SET

sponsored by Veronica and Brett Batterson St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family Madison-Ridgeland Academy – Tuck Everlasting Lausanne Collegiate School – The Addams Family Christian Brothers High School – She Loves Me Pulaski Academy – Little Women Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by Charles and Lisa Gardner

Christian Brothers High School – She Loves Me The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu Lausanne Collegiate School – The Addams Family Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels New Albany High School – Mary Poppins

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING STUDENT CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by Christina Torres Art

Andrea Fernandez Munford High School Hello, Dolly!

Ari Short Lewisburg High School Big Fish School Edition

Quinton Slater South Gibson County High School Disney’s Descendants: The Musical

Elisha Leake Wynne High School Into the Woods

Cade Dycus Milan High School The Lightning Thief

Emma Petit St. Benedict at Auburndale Xanadu

Kaylon Wyles Munford High School Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING STUDENT TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by Sherry and Don Williams

Brooke Smith Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

McKinley Ables Cabot High School Alice by Heart

Claire Cagle Chester County High School Catch Me If You Can

John Dewey-Hudson St. George’s Independent School Freaky Friday

Kayla Stafford Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Carly Townsend Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Will Thompson Madison-Ridgeland Academy Tuck Everlasting

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING STUDENT STAGE MANAGEMENT sponsored by Jennifer McGrath

Jamie Bowers Briarcrest Christian School Curtains School Edition

Brayden Young Madison-Ridgeland Academy Tuck Everlasting

Jasper Patten Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

McKinley Ables Cabot High School Alice by Heart

Bonnie Bryan Christian Brothers High School She Loves Me

Katie Halford Fayette Academy All Shook Up

Adriana McDonald St. Mary’s Episcopal School Legally Blonde

THE BRAVO AWARD

sponsored by Alex, Amy, and Jack Knight

Mathias Sheffield Jackson Christian School Shrek the Musical

Canaan Tyer Aiden Anderson McCager Carver New Albany High School DeSoto Christian Academy Lewisburg High School Mary Poppins The World According to Snoopy Big Fish School Edition

NOMINEES

THE SPOTLIGHT AWARD

sponsored by Friends of the Orpheum (FOTO) To be announced

THE JALEN AWARD The Spirit of the HSMTAs sponsored by Varsity Spirit To be announced

“

ONE OF THE BIGGEST HITS ON BROADWAY!!

WINNER! BEST MUSICAL ALL ACROSS NORTH AMERICA

JUNE 21-23

ORPHEUM THEATRE ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM

COMEFROMAWAY.COM

SPONSORED LOCALLY BY

NOMINEES

THE INSPIRING TEACHER AWARD sponsored by The Majestic Grille

Maggie Reeves Crosstown High

Ashley Bugg Brown Lausanne Collegiate School

Ted Fockler Memphis University School

Chris Luter Collierville High School

Joseph Powell White Station High School

Mary Beth Muncie New Albany High School

Marsha Lantz Milan High School

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION sponsored by Elvis Presley’s Graceland

Krisie Holmes – The Academies at Jonesboro High School – Oklahoma!

Tate Hansen – Lakeland Preparatory School – The Lightning Thief Brittany Navarro – St. Benedict at Auburndale – Xanadu Daniel Ward – Christian Brothers High School – She Loves Me Carol Ann Williams – Chester County High School – Catch Me If You Can Matt Morrison – Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Phillip Nanney – New Albany High School – Mary Poppins

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING FEATURED DANCER sponsored by A. Santyria Johnson

Addie White Abigail Fox Desoto Christian Academy Harding Academy Searcy The World According to Snoopy The Wizard of Oz

Samuel Gray Corinth High School Newsies

Owen McCulley Maya Montgomery Sacred Heart of Jesus High School Southaven High School The Wind in the Willows Mean Girls High School Version

GiGi Kersey Northpoint Christian School Anastasia

JULY 23-28

ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR sponsored by Keri and Doug Gage

Nate Freeman Caleb Smith Bartlett High School The Academies at Jonesboro High School Disney’s The Little Mermaid Oklahoma!

Brody Smith Harding Academy Searcy The Wizard of Oz

Ethan Kohrs Cabot High School Alice by Heart

Luke Flowers Arlington High School Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Walker Warne Emarian Tate Christian Brothers High School The Academies at Jonesboro High School She Loves Me Oklahoma!

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS sponsored by Robin and Billy Orgel

Mary Kelsey Cox Annaliese Khamapirad Izsabella Orchard Germantown High School South Gibson County High School Chester County High School In The Heights Disney’s Descendants: The Musical Catch Me If You Can

Kensley Gray Arlington High School Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Alexis Pittman New Albany High School Mary Poppins

Ellie Sawyer Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Lynette Davis Germantown High School In The Heights

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR sponsored by LRK

Seth Latham Tipton-Rosemark Academy Into the Woods

Mac Collins St. Benedict at Auburndale Xanadu

Toby Harrell Arlington High School Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Lucca Scarpace Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Chase Epps Hernando High School Shrek the Musical

Levi Adair Fayette Academy All Shook Up

Nathan Salvador Chester County High School Catch Me If You Can

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS sponsored by LRK

Meredith Rowland Evangelical Christian School Mary Poppins

Danni Rogers St. Agnes Academy The Addams Family

Makenzie Krennerich

Emma McClellan St. Agnes Academy The Addams Family

Olivia Court

The Academies at Jonesboro High School Northpoint Christian School

Oklahoma!

Anastasia

Camille Van Epps St. Benedict at Auburndale Xanadu

Morgan Conner Bartlett High School Disney’s The Little Mermaid

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR sponsored by Lisa and John Bobango

Grayson Tooley Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Ben Clayton Chester County High School Catch Me If You Can

Aden Pettet Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Alexander Villem St. Benedict at Auburndale Xanadu

Hunt Pipkin

Griffin England Northpoint Christian School Anastasia

Luis Triana

Chester County High School The Academies at Jonesboro High School

Catch Me If You Can

Oklahoma!

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS sponsored by Cheryl and Bill Stegbauer

Lauren Brown St. Agnes Academy The Addams Family

Sarah Cameron White Station High School Mean Girls High School Version

Maggie Dinstuhl Collierville High School Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Allie Alldread Hernando High School Shrek the Musical

Alyssa McNinch Bartlett High School Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Annsley Coleman New Albany High School Mary Poppins

Hailey Brown Northpoint Christian School Anastasia

NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION BY A TEACHER sponsored by Lura Elliott Turner, in honor of her favorite music teacher, her mother, Helen Elliott Ann Lane Neal St. Agnes Academy – The Addams Family Stacey Peeney St. Benedict at Auburndale - Xanadu Chris Luter and Ashleigh Williams Collierville High School – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels John Smiley Christian Brothers High School – She Loves Me Lauren Suddoth Hernando High School – Shrek the Musical Mary Beth Muncie New Albany High School – Mary Poppins Jeff White and Alison Garland Lakeland Preparatory School - The Lightning Thief

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 OVERALL PRODUCTION sponsored by Pickler Wealth Advisors - David and Beth Pickler

St. Agnes Academy The Addams Family

Corinth High School Newsies

St. Benedict at Auburndale Xanadu

The Academies at Jonesboro High School Oklahoma!

Christian Brothers High School She Loves Me

New Albany High School Mary Poppins

Houston High School Urinetown

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 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards.

The following Senior STAR Council Students have completed all attendance and service requirements in order to be recognized as a Super STAR Senior!

Audrey Wilkerson

Cade Harkness

Caitlyn Arnold

Danni Rogers

Hunt Pipkin

Keelie Mcclellan

Kenses Garabito

Lizzie Cole

Maggy Louderback

Rachel Hodges

Trinity Brooks

You can learn more about becoming a STAR Council member at

Orpheum-Memphis.com/StarCouncil

STAFF BIOS

RACHAEL ARNWINE (she/her) is a choreographer, dancer, and educator, serving as an Assistant Professor of Dance in the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Memphis. Rachael has performed with Tennessee Ballet Theater, Opera Memphis, Hot Foot Honeys, Racine + Southern Dance Exchange, and has performed in music videos for artists such as Julien Baker and Brennan Villines. She is a certified board member of the Southern Association of Dance Masters as well as the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science where she is a published author in the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science. Her musical theatre choreographies include Working: A Musical, Starting Here, Starting Now, and SpongeBob the Musical. In addition, she is a dance instructor at local dance studios in the Memphis community and a freelance choreographer.

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 MidSouth over the past 10 years. Some of his favorites include Beautiful, the Carole King Musical (Theatre Memphis), 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!

A. SANTYRIA JOHNSON (she/her) is a seasoned Teaching Artist, dancer, and choreographer hailing from Memphis, TN. With over 20 years of experience as a performing artist, Santyria specializes in the vibrant and rhythmic art of West African Dance. Her dynamic background includes training in Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, and Ballet, enriching her choreographic style with a diverse range of influences. Santyria currently serves as the Resident Teaching Artist at the Orpheum Theatre Group and the West African Dance instructor at the T.L. Williams Academy of Dance. Her passion for dance and teaching shines through in her work, inspiring students and audiences alike with the beauty and cultural significance of African dance forms. Santyria uses her passion for the performing arts and dance to empower others to affirm themselves through love, empathy, and vulnerability.

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.

KYLE VAN FRANK was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Kyle Van Frank is a nonprofit leader and creative storyteller based in Denver, CO, where he serves as Executive Director of FIRE Foundation of Denver. Kyle’s theatre work has taken him across the country, working with award-winning educational programs such as Florida Studio Theatre’s WRITE A PLAY, Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Camp Shakespeare, and the Orpheum’s High School Musical Theatre Awards, a program he has been a part of since 2012. Kyle holds an MS in Nonprofit Leadership from University of Denver and a BA in Theatre with a Concentration in Musical Theatre from The University of Alabama.

LENA WALLACE BLACK is the Education and Community Engagement Manger at the Orpheum and is thrilled to be in her third year as Managing Director of the HSMTAs! Lena has a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Memphis and is an award-winning actress that has performed on most stages in the Memphis area. In 2022, Lena was awarded the “Behind the Scenes Award” at the Memphis Ostrander Awards for her work in educational theatre, largely due to her work getting this massive program ready for the stage each year. It is the joy of her life to be able to make this program happen for all of these deserving students!

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 a sought after musical theater performance coach. He is owner/operator of JW Studios and Executive Director of the Tipton Theatre.

JUDGES BIOS LAWRENCE BLACKWELL is the Director of InSchools 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.

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 MARCUS COX is Executive Director of Welcome to Memphis, a nonprofit subsidiary to Memphis Tourism.

He is a graduate of Watkins Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Performance from The University of Memphis. He has performed and traveled as a professional actor across the United States; in Memphis, he has been in productions at Hattiloo, Theatre Memphis, and Playhouse on the Square – where he served as the former Director of Community Relations and Arts Marketing Cohort. 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 with 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. He is currently a member of the 2024 Leadership Memphis Executive Class. Marcus, his wife of 20 years, Tasha, and their daughter, Kelsey, 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 sued Tennessee over the anti-drag bill) 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.

EILEEN KUO is thrilled to have had the opportunity to watch so many great performances this HSMTA season and enjoy the talents of so many fantastic students. Eileen has been music directing in Memphis since 2011 and also often performs in the pit and occasionally on stage. Past credits include playing W in Lungs (Quark), music directing The Prom (Playhouse on the Square), directing Hundred Days (GCT), music directing Bright Star (GCT), Honky Tonk Angels (GCT), Hissifit (Rhodes), Shockheaded Peter (New Moon), and Lizzie (New Moon), and performing in Twelfth Night (New Moon) and Motherhood the Musical (GCT).

DAVE LANDIS serves as the Associate Director with Playhouse on the Square. He 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 33 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). 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, Ragtime, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 and is currently in rehearsals for Playhouse’s upcoming production of Catch Me If You Can. 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!

ELIZABETH PERKINS currently works with K-12 independent schools on their marketing efforts with the North Star Management Agency. Previously, she

JUDGES BIOS

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 over 35 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), as a judge for the Orpheum’s High School Musical Theatre Awards, on the Board of Directors at Theatre Memphis, and routinely leads workshops for those interested in stage management.

GERARDO RIVILLAS is a Colombian actor, producer and photographer who graduated from the Guidhall School of Music and Drama in London, England and DECA and Charlott acting schools in Bogotá, Colombia. He has taken acting courses with the Teatro Nacional in Bogotá, Colombia and graduated from Zona Cinco, a professional photography school in Bogotá, Colombia. He is also a graduate of the Orpheum Theatre Group 2022 Teaching Artist Training Program. With more than 17 years of experience in acting, he has worked in different projects such as plays, TV commercials, musicals, music videos, institutional videos, and TV series. Gerardo is also a voice over actor for television and movies and continues to work looking for opportunities to develop this talent. He was also part of “The Drag Boat” with FRIENDS OF GEORGE Theatre Company and “Soulful Murder Mystery” with Princeton James Production. He is currently part of the ensemble with Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group and recently won an ALL-STAR CAST award at the Southeastern Theater Conference for his performance in Cazateatro’s adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood.

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 Baskerville, Clue, Pride and Prejudice, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. She’s also served as Assistant Director for Wit with GCT and Fools with Rhodes Theatre Guild. Her next project will be A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Theatre Memphis.

When she’s not at the theatre, Courtney proudly serves as the School and Company Manager for Ballet Memphis. “A big thank you to Lena, Jen and the whole education department at OTG for all of their hard work on this program and allowing me to be included! Congrats to all of the participants on a great year of high school theatre!”

MEREDITH SERNA is so happy to have just completed her first season as an HSMTA judge. Meredith has been involved in the Memphis theatre community for over a decade as a stage manager, patron, former Ostrander judge, and first year board member at GCT. She has been lucky enough to work with Germantown Community Theatre, Lone Tree Live, Threepenny Theatre Company, Harrell Theatre and most recently at Theatre Memphis. She is so glad to be in such a close knit theatre community and to have the opportunity to help provide support, feedback, and encouragement to the students of the Mid-South.’

NIAMBI D. WEBSTER is a native of Batesville, AR, with degrees from Drake University, Mankato State University, University of Iowa, and Jacksonville Theological Seminary. She has played in over 30 theatrical productions throughout her career and directed over 23 plays. In Memphis she has worked with Playhouse on the Square, Hattiloo, Theatre Memphis, Bluff City Theatre, New Moon, and Opera Memphis. She is a proud recipient of “The Artist of the Year Award” from the State of Iowa Arts Council. She serves as co-director of The Spoken Word for the African Methodist Episcopal Church 13th District Christian Education Department and is the dramatics, poetry performance and oratory coordinator for the N.A.A.C.P. Academic, Cultural, Technological, Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). Currently she produces and directs plays at her church Wilson Chapel AME where she is an Associate Pastor. Most recently she completed the Orpheum Theatre Group Teaching Artist Training Program and performed in Exodus: Recreation, sponsored by The InHEIRitance Project.

EVELYN YOUNG is a Midwestern lady living in the South and enjoying the life of culture in Memphis.

A member of Hope Church, she sings in the choir, and is also an avid supporter of several non-profits in our community. This is her second year with the HSMTAs. Evelyn has crossed the stage a few times over the past 48 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 as Best Featured Actress in a Musical over age 25 for her role as Ms. Hannigan in Annie. She has one son and five grandchildren and strives to maintain a valued and balanced connection that engages her interests spiritually, personally, and professionally. Her time and focus for dedicated service, collaborative support and the greater good to make a difference now are merited to her strong faith in God and belief that we all must give back to get something out of life.

A Standing Ovation for Briarcrest Christian School’s

2023-2024 Theatre Season

The Little Prince

High School Production

Aladdin

Elementary Musical

Curtains

High School Musical

Frozen

Middle School Musical

76 S. Houston Levee Road • Eads, TN 38028 • 901.765.4600 briarcrest.com

We are so proud of our amazing cast and crew!

J A M E S AND THE

GIANT PEACH NOMINATED FOR: OUTSTANDING SMALL ENSEMBLE- THE INSECTS OUTSTANDING PLAYBILL OUTSTANDING POSTER OUTSTANDING ARTISTIC ELEMENT- THE BUG PUPPETS

CONGRATULATIONS! St. Agnes Academy Cast and Crew of

“The Addams Family”

Nominated for:

AG

N E S AC

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EST.

PK2

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Outstanding Supporting Actress - DANNI ROGERS as Grandma Outstanding Supporting Actress - EMMA MCCLELLAN as Alice Beineke Outstanding Lead Actress - LAUREN BROWN as Morticia Outstanding Direction by a Teacher - ANN LANE NEAL Outstanding Small Ensemble - THE ANCESTORS Outstanding Chorus - The Addams Family Cast Outstanding Dance Execution Outstanding Front of House Outstanding Hair and Make-Up gir l s Outstanding Costumes Outstanding Lighting Outstanding Set Outstanding Technical Achievement Outstanding Overall Production - The Addams Family D

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

12TH

fo r

Learn more about St. Agnes HERE!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of

Legally Blonde

60 Perkins Extended | Memphis, TN | (901) 537-1405 | www.stmarysschool.org

Congratulations to the

Wynne High School cast and crew of

Outstanding Student Creative Achievement nominee Elisha Leake & Outstanding Playbill

#JacketsThrive “Once a Jacket, Always a Jacket”

CABOT THEATRE ALICE by HEART

CREATE. COLLABORATE. SERVE. Congratulations to the company on your 7 nominations!

WITH A RECORD 9 NOMINATIONS FOR CBHS, WE APPLAUD THE ENTIRE CAST AND CREW OF

She Loves Me

WITH LOVE, FROM ALL OF US AT

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Seussical on their HSMTA nomination!

Outstanding Small Ensemble HardingLions.org

Bird Girl Trio–Victoria Brooks, Ava Brown, and Taryn Mullinix

There you are, a shooting star!

Congrats, Alexander!

Love, the Villem and Cove Family

We are so proud of you! Soak up this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Love you, Mom, Dad, Brooks and Baker

We are so proud of you! Congratulations on your nomination for lead actor!

What an honor to you and all the other nominees. Good luck and best wishes!!

—Momma, Bobby, Vera, Donnie & family

Congratulations on your nomination for lead actor! We can’t wait to see what your future holds! We are very proud of you!

Break a leg.

—Dara, Will, Brynli, Owen, Gabbie, Hazel, Garrett, & Tim

Congratulations Danni ON YOUR NOMINATION FOR

Outstanding Supporting Actress!

We are so proud of you!

Love, Mom & Dad

Drew, We are so proud of you!!!

Love, Mom, Dad, and Addison

Break a leg, Hunt.

We are so proud of you!

- Your entire family

We are incredibly proud of you, Katie! We love you!

Dad, Mom, Maddie & Tripp

Shoot for the moon McKinley!

We are so proud of you!

-Mom, Dad, and Jackson

Levi, we are so proud of you! We never get tired of watching you perform, whether it be at school, church, or in the living room at home. Use the talent God has given you to increase His kingdom.

Love — Momma, Daddy, & Alyssa!

Jeremiah 29:11

Congratulations, Meredith Rowland!

(Evangelical Christian School, Mrs. Banks) Love, Mom, Dad, and Mary Photo: Tracey Simpson

Sarah

May you continue to use your Gifts and Talents to bring Joy to others! We Love You! Mom, Dad, Cat & Emma

To: Our Talented, Smart & Beautiful Love Bug, Sky’s the Limit, Keep Reaching for the Stars!

From: An Extremely Proud Mom, Dad & Warren! Love U Ema Boo!

We are so proud of you Seth!

Congratulations!

Love Mom, Dad, and Family

Sarah is a 2024 Graduate of Tipton Christian Academy, Covington, TN

To my Babygirl, You were born to be a star. To say that I am proud of you is an understatement.Love You, my Lucybell -Love Mama, Daddy and Jackson

We are so proud of you!

-Mom, Dad, Thomas, Michael, Annie, Nan, Pops

Remember, anything can happen if you let it!

Break a leg and soar to new heights!

We love you Annsley Coleman!

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.

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STAFF Vice President of Education, Community Engagement, and Halloran Centre Programming.............................................................Jennifer McGrath Director of Education & Engagement........................................................Taylor St. John Education and Engagement Manager................................................Lena Wallace Black Presentations and Engagement Manager....................................................Verity Hwang Resident Teaching Artist.....................................................................A. Santyria Johnson Education and Engagement Coordinator..................................................Rhyan Alleman