Theater department honors local high school musicals
Stephanie Schiraldi |
Lipscomb Academy's production of the "Wizard of Oz" was part of the awards program this year.
Lipscomb Academy students are among hundreds from across the city honored at second annual award programs
For the second year, Lipscomb University hosted the Nashville High School Musical Theatre Awards to honor the theatrical work of schools in the Greater Nashville area.
Over 15 high schools and hundreds of students participated in a full day of workshops May 9, followed by an awards ceremony hosted by former American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle.
To see a list of all participating schools click here.
The program allows area high schools to submit one musical per school year. Three judges, consisting of a Lipscomb University faculty member, a student from the theater department and a Nashville theater professional, are sent to view each performance.
Participating high schools vie for awards for best actor and actress, best show, all-star cast and crew, best vocals and many others.
The Lipscomb Department of Theatre also presents two $1,000 scholarships, one in acting and one in technical theater, to study theater at Lipscomb. This year, Jack Runyon-Hass from Ensworth High School and Ana Micksch from Centennial High School were selected as the scholarship winners.
From Lipscomb Academy, Jimmy Gilfilen and Alex Woods received the award for All Star Crew. Also from the academy, Hatty King and Noah Adams were recognized as All Star Cast for their performances in “The Wizard of Oz.”
Cookeville High School’s production of “West Side Story” took home the top honor for Best Show of 2014-2015.
Hostess Doolittle is a graduate of Belmont University and was a back-up singer in the gospel group Anointed. She has also sung back up for music legends such as Aretha Franklin, Aaron Neville and Michael McDonald.
Doolittle finished third on the sixth season of American Idol and since then has sung for audiences from the White House to the Kennedy Center to Carnegie Hall.
Participating Schools and Programs
Lipscomb Academy
“The Wizard of Oz”
Montgomery Bell Academy
“Damn Yankees”
Ensworth High School
“Ring of Fire”
Cookeville High School
“West Side Story”
Ravenwood High School
“Thoroughly Modern Millie”
Brentwood High School
“The Music Man”
Pope John Paul II High School
“The Wizard of Oz”
Siegel High School
“Pippin”
Franklin Road Academy and
Davidson Academy
“Into the Woods”
Hillsboro High School
“Hairspray”
Christ Presbyterian Academy
“Mary Poppins”
Centennial High School
“Fiddler on the Roof”
Central Magnet School
“Children of Eden”
St. Cecilia Academy
“Annie”
Father Ryan High School
“Guys and Dolls”