WHS receives 4 Nebraska High School Theater Awards for Spring 2022 "The Addams Family" performance!
Cast & Crew named to Nebraska's Top 10 list of "Outstanding Musical Theater Production" & "Outstanding Ensemble" & performs on Orpheum stage in June 5 state-wide Showcase; Barnes awarded for "Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role" & Rafteseth awarded for “Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role”
Launch the media gallery 1 playerphoto courtesy Kate DeCoste
Congratulations WHS senior Sydney Barnes and junior Dawson Rafteseth, recipients of 2022 Nebraska High School Theater Academy Awards, sponsored by Omaha Performing Arts! Barnes was named "Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role" and Rafteseth for "Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role," both for their performances in the 2022 WHS musical "The Addams Family." The entire cast and crew were also honored with "Outstanding Musical Theater Production" and "Outstanding Ensemble" awards!They are creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky . . . and talented and successful! A May 12 press release (re-posted below) by Omaha Performing Arts affirms that hard work pays off.
Congratulations to our 2022 WHS Addams Family cast, crew, and volunteers: recipients of four 2022 Nebraska High School Theater Awards, sponsored by Omaha Performing Arts!
From the Omaha Performing Arts website: "The Nebraska High School Theater Awards support and celebrate musical theater education in Nebraska high schools. Culminating in a Tony Awards-inspired showcase, the program offers free master classes with Broadway teaching artists, feedback from performing arts professionals, free tickets to Broadway shows when available, performance and audition experiences, the chance to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City and more."
The 2022 WHS The Addams Family Cast & Crew have been named both 2022 "Outstanding Musical Theater Production" and "Outstanding Ensemble" by Omaha Performing Arts! (photo courtesy Kate DeCoste)
Wahoo High School's spring performance of "The Addams Family" has been judged to be among the Top 10 most "Outstanding Musical Theater Productions" in the State! In addition, WHS was named among the Top 10 most "Outstanding Ensembles," WHS senior Sydney Barnes has been named among Nebraska's Top 10 "Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role" for her performance as Morticia Addams, and junior Dawson Rafteseth was named as “Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role” for his portrayal of Lurch!
"This is yet another confirmation of the depth and talent of the students at Wahoo High School," said WPS Superintendent Brandon Lavaley. "To be recognized and invited to perform in a statewide showcase is great recognition of the crew, cast, and directors in organizing a hugely entertaining show. We are very proud of the continued achievement of our students and staff across all areas of the educational experience."
WHS Musical Directors Logan Langholdt, Judi Storm, and Jason Smith were, needless to say, thrilled by the announcement!
"This award is a culmination of the efforts of the combined Wahoo staff, students, and community," Langholdt commented.
Smith added, "I am just so proud of our kids and thrilled they have been chosen for this honor. I love that their hard work and talent are being validated in this way. Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved!"
The 2022 Awards Showcase will be on Sunday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha. Tickets are $10, and everyone is welcome to attend.
As part of this showcase, the WHS cast and crew will perform a scene from the musical ("When You're an Addams") live on stage. The scene features a solo by Barnes. Barnes will also rehearse, along with 74 other student performers, in preparation of an opening and closing musical selection with Q. Smith (Broadway performer and Omaha native), this year's Showcase host.
Congratulations Sydney, Dawson, and the entire cast and crew for these outstanding accomplishments . . . a very appropriate way to end a very accomplished school year!
Advanced tickets avaialble for purchase at the following link: ticketomaha.com/Productions/nebraska-high-school-theater-academy-showcase
PRESS RELEASE (Omaha Performing Arts)
O-pa Announces 2022 Nebraska High School Theater Academy Awards
The Best of Nebraska to perform in Omaha Showcase
OMAHA, NE (May 12, 2022) - Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) announces Nebraska's theater students who have been named award-winners for outstanding performance and technical achievements through the Nebraska High School Theater Academy (NHSTA) program. The winners will be honored at the Orpheum Theater in the NHSTA Showcase on Sunday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m.
The 9th Annual Tony Awards® inspired celebration is open to the public. You can purchase your seat now by visiting ticketomaha.com.
Broadway performer and Omaha native Q. Smith (COME FROM AWAY, MARY POPPINS) will host the Showcase featuring middle and high school students from over 70 schools statewide. 75 students will perform an opening and closing musical selection with Q. Smith. The assistant choreographer this year is Mia Sherlock, a graduate of Omaha Burke and an NHSTA alum. Awards include outstanding performers, senior of the year award, and artistic excellence behind-the-scenes. The event will also honor outstanding Nebraska educators. This year's national finalists include 16 top student performers from across the state.
During the Showcase, two students will be named to represent Nebraska at the Broadway League's National High School Musical Theatre Awards®, known as the Jimmy Awards®, in a performance held Monday, June 27, 2022, at Minskoff Theatre in New York. The two national nominees will join 90 other students from across the United States for a week of coaching with Broadway artists and industry experts. The students compete for top performance awards along with 20 additional awards and scholarships.
The Nebraska High School Theater Academy celebrates the power of the arts and supports high school and middle school theater programs by connecting teachers and students to learning opportunities with Broadway stars, theater, and backstage professionals. Students also receive professional feedback on school performances and additional performance opportunities. The NHSTA program began in 2013 with 22 Omaha-area schools and now reaches more than 8,000 students across Nebraska each year.
The Nebraska High School Theater Academy is sponsored by Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation, John K. and Lynne D. Boyer Family Foundation, Midlands Community Foundation, Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Presenters Circle, John A. and Dianne M. Scott Fund, J. William and Ruth Lind Scott Fund, and Woods Charitable Fund.
To learn more about the Nebraska High School Theater Academy visit NebraskaHSTA.org. Contact NHSTA@O-pa.org with questions.
###
(photo courtesy Kate DeCoste)