More than 400 Students to Arrive at Holland Center This Week for Nebraska High School Theatre Awards

More than 400 Nebraska high school students will converge on downtown Omaha June 5 to June 8 to participate in Omaha Performing Arts' Nebraska High School Theatre Awards week.

Students will spend three days in rehearsals, learning musical selections and dance numbers highlighted in the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards Showcase held Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 7:30 PM at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Showcase tickets are available for $10 at TicketOmaha.com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Ticket Omaha Box Office inside the Holland performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Street or by calling (402) 345-0606.

Omaha Performing Arts will bring in two leading professionals to work with students throughout the week. New York-based choreographer Natalie Lomonte has toured with various dance companies, appeared on Broadway and in film. Lomonte is currently assistant choreographer for the New York Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes, opening this summer. Dr. A. Barron Breland is the chair of Creighton University's Fine and Performing Arts Department. He has been part of the music faculty at Creighton University since 2008. Breland conducts the Creighton University Chamber Choir. He is also actively involved in Nebraska choral music, as the artistic director of the River City Mixed Chorus and music director of Resonance.

Now in its fourth year, the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards program has expanded to schools from Omaha to North Platte with nearly 6,000 students participating in the 2016/2017 school year. Modeled after the Tony Awards, the red carpet event will feature performances by more than 350 students from 60 Nebraska schools, with awards for outstanding productions, top ensembles and performers, and artistic excellence behind-the-scenes.

Twelve finalists in the lead actor and actress categories will perform a special selection. The top lead actor and actress will go on to participate in the Broadway League's 2017 National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York. Winners will be announced at the awards showcase.

Omaha Performing Arts will expand the Nebraska High School Theatre Awards program in its fifth year to accept up to 70 schools across the state of Nebraska. Registration for the 2017-2018 school year opens online at NebraskaHSTA.org in August 2017.

OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS is dedicated to providing the best Broadway, jazz, blues, dance, comedy, family and popular entertainment to the citizens of Omaha at the Orpheum Theater, Holland Performing Arts Center and beyond. As Nebraska's largest arts organization, we also provide education opportunities and free community events to expand arts appreciation. Ticket Omaha is our official ticket provider.

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