79 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN IOWA HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER AWARDS!

Monday, September 24, 2018

DES MOINES, IA ― Des Moines Performing Arts is pleased to announce that 79 schools will participate in the 2018–2019 Iowa High School Musical Awards. Presented by EMC Insurance Companies, the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards celebrates the achievements of students involved in high school musicals across the entire state of Iowa. During the 2018-2019 year, 17 new schools will take part in this exciting program.

The year-long education program launched during the 2012–2013 school year by Des Moines Performing Arts consists of three main components:

Professional Review

Each participating musical production receives a professional review. A panel of performing arts educators and professionals (adjudicators) attend each school's musical and provides feedback on everything from individual actors' performances, to the orchestra, set, lighting, costumes and more. Teachers and students use these insights to make their next show even stronger. Schools participating year over year have seen dramatic transformations in skill, student enthusiasm, and community support.

Learning Opportunities

Throughout the school year, workshops led by theater professionals help students grow. While some sessions focus on performance skills, others focus on technical areas such as lighting design, scenic design, and stage management. Many opportunities bring students face-to-face with Broadway professionals.

Awards Showcase

The year will culminate in a professionally produced Awards Showcase to be held on the Des Moines Civic Center stage Monday, June 3, 2019. Based on reviewer scores and nominations, outstanding musicals and performers are invited to share highlights from their productions. Rehearsals with a guest Broadway music director and choreographer prepare students for impressive opening and closing numbers. Awards and recognitions are given throughout the evening, including to two students who win the honor of representing Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City.

Participating Schools

The participating schools for the 2018–2019 school year are listed below:

Adel DeSoto Minburn High School

Albia Community High School

Algona High School

Anamosa High School

Ankeny Centennial High School

Ankeny High School

Atlantic High School

BCLUW High School, Conrad

Bettendorf High School

Bishop Garrigan Catholic School, Algona

Bondurant-Farrar High School

Boone High School

Calamus Wheatland High School

Carlisle High School

Cedar Rapids George Washington High School

Cedar Rapids John F. Kennedy High School

Centerville High School

Central DeWitt High School

Central Lee High School, Donnellson

Clarke Community High School, Osceola

Clear Creek Amana High School, Tiffin

Clinton High School

Creston Community High School

Dallas Center-Grimes High School

Danville Junior-Senior High School

Davenport Central High School

Davenport North High School

Denison High School

Des Moines Abraham Lincoln High School

Des Moines Christian School

Des Moines East High School

Des Moines Herbert Hoover High School

Des Moines Theodore Roosevelt High School

Dowling Catholic High School, West Des Moines

Dubuque Senior High School

Earlham High School

Emmetsburg High School

Fairfield High School

Forest City High School

Fort Dodge Senior High School

Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School

Hudson High School

Indianola High School

Johnston High School

Knoxville High School

Le Mars Community High School

Madrid Jr/Sr High School

Montezuma High School

Mount Ayr Community High School

Mount Vernon High School

Nevada High School

North Polk High School, Alleman

North Scott High School, Eldridge

North Union High School, Armstrong

OABCIG High School, Ida Grove

Ogden High School

Osage High School

Oskaloosa High School

Panorama High School, Panora

Pella Christian High School

Perry High School

Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf

Red Oak High School

Shenandoah High School

Sibley-Ocheyedan High School

Sioux City North High School

Southeast Polk High School, Pleasant Hill

Spencer High School

Spirit Lake High School

Tipton High School

Union High School, La Porte City

Urbandale High School

Van Meter High School

Wahlert Catholic High School, Dubuque

Waukee High School

Waverly-Shell Rock High School

West Des Moines Valley High School

West Monona High School

Winterset Senior High School

Tickets to the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase will be available in May 2019. For additional information, please visit DMPA.org.

About Des Moines Performing Arts

Des Moines Performing Arts is a private not-for-profit organization celebrating 40 seasons 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 DMPA.org.