DSM promised a gala of epic proportion to celebrate their 6th annual High School Musical Theater Awards celebration, and they did not disappoint.
DSM’s home, The Music Hall At Fair Park in Dallas, has seen amazing talent and phenomenal productions sweep across its stage since its beginnings in 1941. Through the philanthropic work of community leaders, DSM directors, volunteers and the deep devotion and tireless efforts of High School Musical Awards chair John R. Clutts, DSM High School Music Awards has grown to be the largest high school theater awards program in the state of Texas and second largest in the nation.
DSM HSMA has grown into a regional program accepting schools from every area of the metroplex as well as schools from as far away as Lubbock and Oklahoma.
Cash scholarships and awards were presented to a number of outstanding and deserving participants during the evening as show business veterans and community celebrities came together to spotlight the achievements of high school students and their schools’ musical theater programs. Winners of the Best Performance by an Actor and Actress receive an all-expense paid trip for five days to New York City to represent DSM and their high schools in the National High School Musical Theater Awards (the Jimmy Awards) for the chance to win prizes and college scholarships. This year, 10 $1,000 scholarships were awarded to outstanding theater students who plan on going into other fields of study, 10 $5,000 scholarships to theater students continuing in the theatrical field and a $10,000 scholarship was given to the 2 students awarded Best Actor and Actress.
Along with the award presentations, each of the 8 schools nominated for Best Musical performed a selection from their show: Byron Nelson HS – Thoroughly Modern Millie, Flower Mound HS – Oklahoma, Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Guyer HS – The Little Mermaid, Independence – Big Fish, Pearce HS – Heathers The Musical High School Edition, Plano East – In the Heights and Southwest Christian School – Big Fish. Although there were a few microphone technical problems throughout the evening, the performances were spectacular and flawlessly delivered.
Near the end of the evening, the nominees for Best Actor and Best Actress were presented to the audience with each group performing a brilliantly staged and choreographed medley. Each student took a turn performing a portion of a signature solo from their musical while the others gave backup and harmony.
The recipients of the 6th annual DSM High School Music Awards were presented in the following order:
- Featured Actor – Sam Linquist – Waxahachie HS
- Featured Actress – Simon Brazzini – Flower Mound HS
- Choreographer – Plano East HS – In The Heights
- Lighting – Highland Park HS – Grease
- Scene Design – Nolan Catholic High School – Godspell
- Student Orchestra – Waxahachie – Curtains
- Musical Direction – Waxahachie – Curtains
- Supporting Actor – Chad Sinks – Flower Mound HS
- Supporting Actress – Bailee Goodman – Flower Mound HS
- Direction – Byron Nelson HS – Thoroughly Modern Millie
- Ensemble – Plano East HS – In The Heights
- Stage Crew Technical – Flower Mound HS – Oklahoma
- Costume – Flower Mound HS – Oklahoma
- Leading Actor – John Fredrickson – Guyer HS – Little Shop Of Horrors/Seymour
- Leading Actress – Shelby Priddy – Mansfield HS – Little Women/Josephine
- Best Musical – Flower Mound HS – Oklahoma
Congratulations to all who participated and to the recipients of this year’s awards and scholarships.
