The Shuler Hensley Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater are the Tonys for teens. Nominees in 15 categories for the 2011 awards were announced Tuesday. Forty-one schools entered, 24 were nominated and additional schools received honorable mention.
The winners will be announced April 26 during an elegant, red-carpet ceremony at Cobb Energy Centre. The glitzy to-do is designed to draw attention to the value of arts in education.
“This is such a celebrated event because it lets the community see what’s being done in high schools to create future leaders,” said Courtney Reed, director of education and community outreach for the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation.
“Some schools are dealing with great support and some are producing musicals on a $500 budget. It didn’t’ matter if the performances took place in a performing arts center or a lunchroom. Our judges weren’t looking for wow or bang. They were charged with finding those who worked best with what they have.”
The winners of the best actor and best actress categories will go to New York to compete in the National High School Musical Theater Awards (or Jimmys). Last year, Atlanta student Alexandria Payne took home the title as well as $10,000 and a scholarship to NYU.
The awards are named in honor of Marietta native and Tony Award-winning performer Hensley, who will perform in the ceremony and hold workshops with the nominees in the week prior. For a complete list, visit www.shulerawards.org.
Leading actress:
Emily Coffman of Chattahoochee High School, Ali Brown from Milton High School, Brianna Westland from North Cobb Christian School, Jamie Harwoodfrom The Lovett School, Katelyn Johnsonfrom Tri-Cities High School and Taylor Martinez from Whitewater High School.
Leading actor:
Samuel Yabrowof Pebblebrook High School, Emaneul Beecham of Salem High School, Evan Harmsof The Lovett School, August Bairof the Paideia School, Colin Shirley of The Walker School and Mitchell Jonesof West Forsyth High School.
Overall production:
Holy Innocents' Episcopal School for "A Little Night Music," Milton High School for "Hairspray," Northview High School for "Into the Woods," Salem High School for Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat," Paideia School for "Les Miserables," and West Forsyth High School for "Oklahoma!"
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