2019 WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT THE 8TH ANNUAL DSM HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS
Posted on May 10th, 2019
HIGH SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS TEXAS CELEBRATED AS WINNERS WERE ANNOUNCED
AT THE 8TH ANNUAL DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS
Dallas, TX (May 10, 2018) – High school students, parents, friends, arts advocates, celebrities and city officials from all over Texas celebrated as winners and scholarship recipients were announced on Thursday, May 9, at the 8th Annual Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards (DSM HSMTA).
Patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, DSM HSMTA celebrates the power of the arts and its ability to significantly improve all areas of education and creativity. Best Musical Award went to Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy’s production of Bullets Over Broadway and 14 scholarships were awarded to deserving students pursuing degrees in both theatre and non-theatre majors.
“This annual event is such a great reminder of all the outstanding talent that’s being cultivated amongst the next generation of performers in Texas and beyond. DSM looks forward to this night every year because we know how dedicated all of the students, teachers, staff, volunteers and supporters are to this program, and we can’t thank everyone enough,” said Kenneth T. Novice, DSM President.
Nominees were given the red-carpet treatment, being chauffeured to the Music Hall by RideCentric. Their arrivals were announced while photographers snapped away and media cameras from WFAA Channel 8 streamed live as they walked the red carpet.
Emcee Teresa Woodard, award-winning journalist and WFAA Channel 8 News Anchor, began the show by welcoming everyone and introducing the opening number, specially arranged to showcase each individual category and accompanied by a live professional orchestra conducted by Music Director Mark Brymer. The crowd cheered on their favorite Best Musical nominee performances, while the Best Leading Actor and Best Leading Actress nominees performed medleys choreographed by Penny Ayn Maas. Vocal coach Tina Walsh also helped prepare the students for the evening. Walsh will coach the 2019 DSM HSMTA Best Leading Actor/Actress winners as they prepare for the Jimmy™ Awards in New York City, where she’ll be the students’ chaperone.
The show was topped off with a finale of students from each participating high school and a shower of popping streamers.
Awards were presented in 19 categories and 14 scholarships were awarded to outstanding graduating seniors nominated by their teachers and selected by the DSM scholarship committee. This year’s College Scholarship program consisted of seven Ambassador Scholarships at $2,000 each, five Theater Major Scholarships (in all areas of theater) at $5,000 each, and two $5,000 scholarships for the winners in the Best Leading Actor and Best Leading Actress categories.
“The passion these students have for their craft is awe-inspiring,” said Glynis Brault, DSM Director of Education & Community Partnerships. “We’re all so proud of their talent and look forward to seeing their future in theatre.”
Broadway veteran Hunter Ryan Herdlicka was this year’s Fullinwider Award recipient for his impact in the Dallas theatre community and beyond. Herdlicka is a Dallas native and graduate of Plano West Senior High School. Hunter is best known for his nearly two years starring on Broadway as Henrik in the Tony Award®-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury, followed by Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch.
The Leah & Jerome M. Fullinwider Award is named for Leah and Jerry Fullinwider, the founding donors of DSM’s High School Musical Theater Awards. The award was created in 2016 to honor the Fullinwiders for their initial gift of $100,000, which helped fund and produce DSM HSMTA and College Scholarship program in 2012.
Coby Rogers, Frenship High School, took home the Best Leading Actor Award and Haley Dortch, Guyer High School, won the Best Leading Actress Award. Coby and Haley will each receive a $5,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip for five days to New York City to represent their high school in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy™ Awards) on June 24.
Since DSM’s first HSMTA in 2012, the program has developed regionally, accepting schools as far away as Lubbock and Oklahoma as well as new and returning schools from the DFW Metroplex. DSM’s HSMTA has grown to be one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation. DSM HSMTA has been recognized by The National High School Musical Theatre Awards as their official affiliate program for North Texas.
DSM is grateful to 2018-19 season sponsors Texas Instruments, American Airlines, The Dallas Morning News, and WFAA Channel 8. DSM would also like to thank In-N-Out Burger for providing lunch for all participating students, teachers and volunteers during rehearsal.
2019 DSM HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS | NOMINEES & WINNERS
(in alphabetical order by school):
BEST MUSICAL
All Saints’ Episcopal School – Into the Woods
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Independence HS – West Side Story
Plano West Senior HS – Gypsy
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST DIRECTION
Aledo HS – Rock of Ages
All Saints’ Episcopal School – Into the Woods
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show
Centennial HS – Newsies
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Guyer HS – Sister Act
Independence HS – West Side Story
Plano West Senior HS – Gypsy
Southwest Christian School – Cinderella
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Aledo HS – Rock of Ages
Brownwood HS – Newsies
Centennial HS – Newsies
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Frenship HS – Anything
Goes Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Guyer HS – Sister Act
Liberty HS – Singin’ in the Rain
Melissa HS – How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
Plano Senior HS – Mamma Mia!
Wakeland HS – Hello Dolly
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION
Aledo HS – Rock of Ages
All Saints’ Episcopal School – Into the Woods
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show
Frenship HS – Anything Goes
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Guyer HS – Sister Act
Independence HS – West Side Story
Mansfield HS – Catch Me If You Can
McKinney HS – The Phantom of the Opera
Rockwall-Heath HS – Singin’ in the Rain
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST ORCHESTRA
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Independence HS – West Side Story
Lake Highlands HS – Cinderella
Lebanon Trail HS – Hairspray
Lone Star HS – White Christmas
Mansfield HS – Catch Me If You Can
North Lamar HS – Fiddler on the Roof
Rockwall – Big Fish
Rockwall-Heath HS – Singin’ in the Rain
Wakeland HS – Hello Dolly
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
BEST SCENIC DESIGN
Aledo HS – Rock of Ages
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Frenship HS – Anything Goes
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Guyer HS – Sister Act
J.J. Pearce HS – Mamma Mia!
Lebanon Trail HS – Hairspray
Plano Senior HS – Mamma Mia!
Southwest Christian School – Cinderella
Wakeland HS – Hello Dolly
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
All Saints’ Episcopal School – Into the Woods
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Haltom HS – Gypsy
Kaufman HS – The Little Mermaid
Lake Highlands HS – Cinderella
Lake Ridge HS – Legally Blonde
Mabank HS – The Little Mermaid
Mansfield HS – Catch Me If You Can
Southwest Christian School – Cinderella
Timberview HS – Hairspray
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Aledo HS – Rock of Ages
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Independence HS – West Side Story
J.J. Pearce HS – Mamma Mia
Kaufman HS – The Little Mermaid
Liberty HS – Singin’ in the Rain
Plano West Senior HS – Gypsy
Southwest Christian School – Cinderella
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST TECHNICAL EXECUTION
All Saints’ Episcopal School – Into the Woods
Booker T. Washington HSPVA – A Chorus Line
Byron Nelson HS – The Drowsy Chaperone
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show
Cedar Hill HS – Newsies
Frenship HS – Anything Goes
Lake Highlands HS – Cinderella
Mansfield HS – Catch Me If You Can
Plano West Senior HS – Gypsy
Southwest Christian School – Cinderella
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST ENSEMBLE / CHORUS
Aledo HS – Rock of Ages
Booker T. Washington HSPVA – A Chorus Line
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show
Cedar Hill HS – Newsies
Centennial HS – Newsies
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway
Guyer HS – The Addams Family
Independence HS – West Side Story
McKinney HS – The Phantom of the Opera
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors
BEST LEADING ACTOR
Byron Nelson HS – The Drowsy Chaperone – Jack Gates
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show – Jack Cory
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – David Postlewate
Frenship HS – Anything Goes – Coby Rogers
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway – Christian Wikoff
Melissa HS – How to succeed In Business Without Really Trying – Logan Lowery
North Lamar HS – Fiddler on the Roof – Seth Jones
Rockwall – Big Fish – Graeson Lynskey
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors – Elbert Haney
BEST LEADING ACTRESS
Byron Nelson HS – The Drowsy Chaperone – Whitney Stoncipher
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show – Michelle D’Amico / Devan DeLugo
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Ireland Reneau
Frenship HS – Anything Goes – Sierra Roberson
Guyer HS – Sister Act – Haley Dortch
McKinney HS – The Phantom of the Opera – Maggie McGowan
Robert E. Lee HS – Thoroughly Modern Millie –Lizzy Tucker
Rockwall HS – Big Fish – Kenedy Matthews
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors – Jamie Gammon
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Byron Nelson HS – The Drowsy Chaperone – Blayne Stonecipher
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show – Matthew Vinson
Centennial HS – Newsies – Simon Heimersson
Central HS – Newsies – Jose Gonzalez
Frenship HS – Anything Goes – Josh Fredenburg
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway – Darnell Robinson
Grapevine Faith Christian School – Beauty and the Beast – Ethan Swaney
Independence HS – West Side Story – Jack Romero
Mansfield HS – Catch Me If You Can – Joshua Cowan
McKinney HS – The Phantom of the Opera – Andrew Holmes
McKinney North HS – Big Fish – Lawson Stiegelmeyer
Timberview HS- Hairspray – Lamar Burns
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors – Mavric Herrera
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
All Saints’ Episcopal School – Into the Woods – Catherine Harris
Byron Nelson HS – The Drowsy Chaperone – Melanie McBride
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show – Adrianna Heffron
Central HS – Newsies – Aria Tolber
Colleyville Heritage HS – Annie – Gabriella Rae
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Camryn Wright
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway – Joryhebel Ginorio
Guyer HS – Sister Act – Grace Duncan
Independence HS – West Side Story – Shabnam Rasul
Mckinney HS – The Phantom of the Opera – Isha Lal
Melissa HS – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying – Chloe Morris
Plano Senior HS – Mamma Mia! – Lilly Johnson
Wylie HS – Mary Poppins – Kathlyn Messer
BEST FEATURED PERFORMER
Bishop Lynch HS – MAME – Conner Chen
Booker T. Washington HSPVA – A Chorus Line – Ava Noble
Carroll Senior HS – Side Show – Maddie Nelson
Cedar Hill HS – Newsies – Jeremiah Tarver
Central HS – Newsies – Max Vry
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Bullets Over Broadway – Bailey James
Guyer HS – Sister Act – Ashlynn Stewart
Lake Country Christian School –Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Emma Montgomery
Rockwall – Big Fish -Devon Khalsa
Southwest Christian School – Cinderella – Ellis Stumbo
Waxahachie HS – Mary Poppins – Monticella Woodley
Wylie East HS – Little Shop of Horrors – Kendall Bruner
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD
Andy Reynolds – Waxahachie High School
BACKSTAGE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Sabastian Felon – Grapevine High School
DSM HSMTA SPIRIT AWARD
D’Shaud Howard – Guyer High School
LEAH & JEROME M. FULLINWIDER AWARD
Hunter Ryan Herdlicka
About Hunter Ryan Herdlicka:
A Dallas native and Plano West Senior High School graduate, Hunter is best known for his nearly two years starring on Broadway as Henrik in the Tony Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury, followed by Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch.
Other New York credits include the recent revival of Once Upon a Mattress, as the Minstrel, starring Jackie Hoffman and Jerry Herman’s Dear World, starring opposite Tyne Daly.
In 2012, Hunter appeared as Ariel in The Tempest at the Dallas Theater Center, and has since appeared in around 20 regional productions including Candide (Maximillian) at the Alliance Theatre with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Ragtime (Younger Brother) at Barrington Stage, The Pirates of Penzance (Frederic) at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and at the Ordway Center in St. Paul, Cabaret (Cliff) at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Sacramento Music Circus, Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka) and Titanic (Charles) both with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Othello (Clown) at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Something’s Afoot (Geoffrey) at the Goodspeed Opera House, three seasons with the West Virginia Public Theatre, as well as countless workshops, readings, and concerts in New York working and singing alongside Liza Minnelli, Hugh Jackman, Michael Feinstein, David Hyde Pierce, Linda Lavin, Nathan Lane and Michael C. Hall, amongst others.
A close friend of legendary actress Elaine Stritch, Hunter appeared in and helped produce the award-winning documentary Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me. Hunter has enjoyed two sold-out runs at New York’s famed nightclub Feinstein’s, appeared at the Café Carlyle, Birdland Jazz Club, and debuted his new show with a sold out appearance at Feinstein’s/54 Below. He currently resides in Manhattan. Please visit www.HunterRyanHerdlicka.com for more and follow @HRHerdlicka.
About Dallas Summer Musicals:
Since 1941, the nonprofit Dallas Summer Musicals Inc. (DSM) has presented the very best in Broadway to North Texas audiences. Located in the historic Music Hall at Fair Park, DSM promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through education and community outreach programs, while enriching the cultural landscape of North Texas and the Southwest Region.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to offer affordable ticket prices, preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and develop impactful community programs. DSM gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors, annual fund donors and corporate partners American Airlines, Texas Instruments, The Dallas Morning News, and WFAA TV Channel 8. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214.421.5678 or visit our website at DallasSummerMusicals.org.
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