Des Moines Performing Arts Announces 60 Schools to Participate in the Iowa High School Musical Awards

Des Moines Performing Arts is thrilled to announce that 60 schools will participate in this year's Iowa High School Musical Awards, nearly double last year's number. A statewide initiative, the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards is a yearlong education program that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of young musical theater artists. The program has continued to grow by leaps and bounds since nine schools first participated during its inaugural year in 2012.

"We are thrilled to widen the boundaries of the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards to encompass the entire state of Iowa," says Eric Olmscheid, director of programming and education. "We welcome the opportunity to work with 60 schools this year as we continue to celebrate and honor the achievements of high school students throughout the state."

Throughout the school year, panels of community adjudicators comprised of performing arts educators and professionals will attend and review each participating school's production. Students and directors will receive valuable constructive feedback that can be used to grow and strengthen their future work. Based on reviews and scores, schools ultimately will receive awards in honor of their achievements in categories ranging from choreography, design, performance in a principal role, and overall musical production. Any student or school at an outstanding level is recognized for their achievement. Multiple honorees may be named in each category as performances merit.

The year will culminate in a professionally produced Awards Showcase to be held on the Des Moines Civic Center stage Monday, June 5, 2017. The Showcase will feature more than 500 students performing highlights from this season's productions. In addition, student representatives from participating schools will work with a guest Broadway music director and choreographer on special numbers to open and close the evening.

Tickets to the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase will be available in April 2017.

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Participating schools:

Abraham Lincoln High School, Des Moines

Adel DeSoto Minburn High School, Adel

Algona High School, Algona

Ankeny Centennial High School, Ankeny

Ankeny High School, Ankeny

Atlantic High School, Atlantic

BCLUW High School, Conrad

Bishop Garrigan High School, Algona

Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant

Boone High School, Boone

Calamus-Wheatland High School, Wheatland

Carlisle High School, Carlisle

Centerville High School, Centerville

City High School, Iowa City

Clarke Community High School, Osceola

Clear Lake High School, Clear Lake

Clinton High School, Clinton

Creston High School, Creston

Dallas Center-Grimes High School, Grimes

Davenport North High School, Davenport

Des Moines Christian School, Urbandale

Dowling Catholic High School, West Des Moines

Dubuque Senior High School, Dubuque

Earlham High School, Earlham

East High School, Des Moines

Emmetsburg High School, Ruthven

Forest City High School, Forest City

Fort Dodge Senior High School, Fort Dodge

George Washington High School, Cedar Rapids

Grand View Christian School, Des Moines

Hoover High School, Des Moines

Hudson High School, Hudson

Indianola High School, Indianola

John F. Kennedy High School, Cedar Rapids

Johnston High School, Johnston

Knoxville High School, Knoxville

Le Mars Community High School, Le Mars

Linn-Mar High School, Marion

Montezuma High School, Montezuma

Mount Vernon High School, Mount Vernon

Nevada High School, Nevada

Newton Senior High School, Newton

North Polk High School, Alleman

Osage High School, Osage

Pella Christian High School, Pella

Perry High School, Perry

Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf

Pleasantville High School, Pleasantville

Roosevelt High School, Des Moines

Sioux City North High School, Sioux City

Southeast Polk High School, Pleasant Hill

Spencer High School, Spencer

Union High School, La Porte City

Valley High School, West Des Moines

Waukee High School, Waukee

Waverly-Shell Rock High School, Waverly

West Burlington Arnold High School, West Burlington

Williamsburg High School, Williamsburg

Winterset High School, Winterset

Xavier High School, Cedar Rapids

For more information about the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards, please visit www.DesMoinesPerformingArts.org.

About Des Moines Performing Arts
Des Moines Performing Arts is a private not-for-profit organization celebrating 37 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states on four stages in Des Moines - the Civic Center, the Stoner Theater, the Temple Theater and the newly renovated outdoor space, Cowles Commons. 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. 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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