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Lauren Anderson, a recent Hamilton High School graduate, said winning an ASU Gammage High School Musical Theater Award scholarship was a major highlight of her time in high school. Submitted photo
June 6 - June 19, 2015
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For the springtime performance of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at Hamilton High School, Gabi Giusti not only played the role of Elle, she also helped create 100 costumes for the musical. Submitted photo
Hamilton students win Gammage theater awards BY ALISON STANTON
Inspired by theater since they were youngsters, two Hamilton High School students were given ASU Gammage High School Musical Theater Awards during the inaugural ceremony for pupils statewide. Lauren Anderson, 17, won an ASU Gammage High School Musical Theater Award scholarship worth $500, and
Gabi Giusti, 16, received an Outstanding Technical Award for costumes. Gabi said the high school students performed numbers from their spring musicals during the awards ceremony. In addition, she said judges attended one of the earlier performances of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at Hamilton. “During the first half of the awards we sang ‘Serious’ and ‘What You Want’ from
Stephen D. Hunsaker, D.D.S., M.S.
‘Legally Blonde: The Musical,’ and the second half was the award ceremony,” Gabi said. In addition to playing the lead role of Elle in the musical, Gabi worked behind the scenes to help create about 100 costumes. “One of my favorite costumes that I worked on was a conductor’s costume that Elle wears during ‘What You Want.’ It’s a ridiculous conductor’s outfit with a huge hat,” Gabi said. Gabi, who has been involved in theater since she was 6, said she couldn’t believe it when the announcer said she won the Outstanding Technical Award for costumes. “It was really stressful to put everything together so it was so cool to win an award for something I had worked so hard on,” Gabi said. Like Gabi, Lauren has loved theater since she was little. “I have been in theater since I was 9. I grew up with a mom who is a theater lover, and she never forced me to do it or anything; I just chose to keep with it,” Lauren said. The scholarship was based on her involvement in the community and her leadership on stage. “I had to send in a bunch more
information about myself including examples of my community service and the other shows I’ve been in,” Lauren said. “For example, I was treasurer of the theater department at Hamilton and I held a lot of other different positions in the theater department.” Lauren said she, too, was surprised by the win. “It was definitely one of the highlights of my entire high school career,” she said. Lauren, who graduated from Hamilton High School last month, said she is looking forward to attending ASU this fall where she plans on majoring in theater design and production. Although she loves being on stage, she is ready to work behind the scenes. “I’m more of an in-charge person, so I’d love to do some directing,” Lauren said. Gabi, an incoming senior, also plans on being involved with theater for as long as she can. “There’s no way to not have theater in my life,” she said. Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.
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Members of Pueblo Middle School Combined Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band became stars of their own Disney show on April 30 when they entertained resort guests at the Hollywood Backlot Stage at Disney California Adventure Park. The group traveled to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim to take part in the Disney Performing Arts program. Dance, vocal and instrumental ensembles from all around the world apply to perform each year as a part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disneyland Resort in California and the
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests. Millions of performers have graced the stages of the Disney Parks in the more than 25-year history of the program. For more information, visit www. DisneyPerformingArts.com or call (800) 603-0552.