The 22 schools in contention are: Alter High School, Carlisle High School, Carroll High School, Cedarville High School, Centerville High School, Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, Dominion Academy of Dayton, Fairborn High School, Franklin High School, Kettering Fairmont High School, Mechanicsburg High School, Miamisburg High School, Milton-Union High School, Northmont High School, Springboro High School, Stebbins High School, Stivers School for the Arts, The Miami Valley School, Tippecanoe High School, Versailles High School, Wayne High School, and West Carrollton High School.
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OUTSTANDING MUSICALS
Seven productions will be recognized as outstanding musicals:
• Carroll High School’s “Oklahoma!”
• Centerville High School’s “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Into the Woods”
• Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School’s “Cinderella”
• Kettering Fairmont High School’s “Beauty and the Beast”
• Tippecanoe High School’s “Thoroughly Modern Millie”
• Versailles High School’s “The Wizard of Oz”
OUTSTANDING PLAYS
Eight productions will be recognized as outstanding plays:
Alter High School’s “Steel Magnolias”
Centerville High School’s “Twelve Angry Jurors”
Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School’s “A Murder is Announced”
Dominion Academy of Dayton’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Franklin High School’s “The Diary of Anne Frank”
The Miami Valley School’s “Trap”
Northmont High School’s “Macbeth”
Tippecanoe High School’s “Peter and the Starcatcher”
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OTHER HONORS
Forty productions were reviewed by three qualified adjudicators from across the area who also provided directors feedback. In addition to outstanding musical and play, award categories include outstanding lead actor/actress in a play and musical, outstanding supporting actor/actress in a play and musical, outstanding ensemble performance, outstanding student designers, outstanding featured dancer, outstanding student orchestra, and theater program director of the year.
“Looking at all of the recognitions across the board, there aren’t just one or two programs that will be overly recognized because they have been around for a long time,” said Gary Minyard, vice president of education and engagement for the Victoria Theatre Association who spearheaded this endeavor. “We have several new schools, several new programs, which will be recognized for the first time. But all of it is a testament to the work. We will recognize everyone from a graduating senior to a rising sophomore who did their outstanding work when they were a freshman.”
Modeled after the Tony Awards, the MVHSTA Showcase will notably feature six production numbers from six schools which will be recognized for outstanding musical. Also, 24 students will perform solos based on the roles they are being recognized for in the outstanding lead actor and actress in a musical category. Zac Del Monte, who has worked with Short North Stage in Columbus, serves as musical director. Cincinnati-based Becca Kloha Strand, who toured with “Wicked,” provides choreography.
“The care, time and thoughtful input from all involved made this first season a success,” Minyard said. “There’s no doubt we have more to improve on to make things better, but overall we made good choices, had a really great pool of committed adjudicators, and had a bunch of directors and students full of enthusiasm which made everything worthwhile.”
WANT TO GO?
What: The Miami Valley High School Theatre Awards Showcase
Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Cost: $10
Tickets: Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com
More info: mvhsta.org
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