Arts & Entertainment

Urbandale High School Students Honored by Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards

An inaugural showcase and awards ceremony will be held June 3. The Urbandale production of "Once Upon a Mattress" is an award winner.

From a News Release:

Urbandale High School theater students are among those being honored by Des Moines Performing Arts in the first Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards, according to a news release.

Urbandale award winners are:

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Production Awards

  • Outstanding Student Orchestra
  • Outstanding Scene – “Song of Love”

Student Award for Outstanding Achievement

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  • Outstanding Achievement by a Student Choreographer – Katie Sullivan

Special Recognition

  • Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role – Kayla Calhoun as “Princess Winnifred”
  • Special Recognition for Performance in a Supporting Role – Michael Clinkscales as “King Sextimus”

An awards showcase honoring the young thespians for their outstanding achievements in musical theater will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Monday, June 3, at 7 p.m., the release said.

Tickets to the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase are on sale now for $10 at the Civic Center Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at DesMoinesPerformingArts.org.

The showcase wraps up a year-long initiative launched by Des Moines Performing Arts last fall, organizers said in the release. Throughout the school year, more than 300 young artists performed in and produced nine different musical theater productions. Productions were reviewed by a panel of adjudicators that included performing arts professionals and educators, among others.

The schools and the productions being honored include:

  • Ankeny High School, Ankeny  – SPAMALOT
  • Carlisle High School, Carlisle – SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
  • Dowling Catholic High School, West Des Moines – DAMN YANKEES
  • East High School, Des Moines – LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
  • Nevada High School, Nevada – THE MUSIC MAN
  • Pella Christian High School, Pella – FOOTLOOSE
  • Roosevelt High School, Des Moines – CHICAGO
  • Urbandale High School, Urbandale – ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
  • Waukee High School, Waukee – GUYS AND DOLLS

In addition to the local awards, two students will be selected at the showcase to represent Iowa at the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City, June 26-July 2.

For more information about the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards, visit DesMoinesPerformingArts.org or “like” us on Facebook.

About Des Moines Performing Arts
Des Moines Performing Arts is a private not-for-profit organization celebrating 34 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states on three stages in Des Moines – the Civic Center, Stoner Theater and the Temple Theater. Des Moines Performing Arts is a presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is home to many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony and StageWest. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Willis Auto Campus. All performances at the Temple Theater are supported by Prairie Meadows. All performances of the Family Series are supported by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. For more information, visit DesMoinesPerformingArts.org.


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