Five local schools have received recognition and are invited to participate in the 2024-25 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards with the Des Moines Performing Arts. Carroll Community School District and Kuemper Catholic put on the production of “West Side Story” at the end of March, and are being awarded six recognitions, including Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement, Outstanding Performance, and Special Recognition for a performance in a principal role and special recognition of ensemble. Coon Rapids-Bayard CSD was selected for five awards for distinguished scene, outstanding performance in principal role, outstanding achievement in behind-the-scenes role, and special recognition for both a principal behind-the scenes role for “Big Fish”. Greene County High School performed “Disney’s: The Little Mermaid” and is being recognized with Outstanding and two special recognitions for a performance in a principal role. Exira-EHK CSD was recognized for the production of “Freaky Friday,” being awarded for distinguished scene and special recognition performance in the principal role. Adair-Casey Guthrie Center CSD performed the classic “Sound of Music” and was recognized with five awards for outstanding overall performance, outstanding ensemble, two outstanding performances, and one special recognition for a performance in a principal role. All schools and awardees have been invited to the Des Moines Civic Center awards ceremony on May 29. Tickets to attend can be purchased after May 16. A list of all the local school awards can be found included below.
Carroll/Kuemper: West Side Story
Outstanding Overall Technical + Creative Achievement
Outstanding Performance in Principal Role: Logan Rial “Tony”
Outstanding Performance in Principal Role: Laura Steinkamp “Maria”
Special Recognition for Ensemble
Special Recognition for Performance in Principal Role: Claire Pudenz “Anita”
Special Recognition for Performance in Principal Role: Louis Meyers “Riff”
Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center: Sound Of Music
Outstanding Overall Performance
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Performance in Principal Role: Emmarae Ellis “Maria Rainer”
Outstanding Performance in Principal Role: Ava Campbell “Liesl Von Trapp”
Special Recognition for Performance in Principal Role: Rohnin Grasty “Captain Georg Von Trapp”
Coon Rapids-Bayard: Big Fish
Distinguished Scene
Outstanding Performance in Principal Role: Lucas Obert “Edward Bloom”
Outstanding Achievement in Behind-the-Scenes Role: Ella Heitoff- Choreography
Special Recognition for performance in Principal Role: Macy Thompson “Sandra Bloom”
Special Recognition in Behind-the-Scenes Role: Trevor McNelly- sound production
Exira-EHK: Freaky Friday
Distinguished Scene
Special Recognition for Performance in Principal Role: Lily Brinker “Fletcher Blake”
Greene County High School: Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Outstanding Performance in Principal Role: Daniele Madsen “Ursula”
Special Recognition for Performance in Principal Role: Hailey Carman “Ariel”
Special Recognition for Performance in Principal Role: William Graham “King Triton”
