Huntley High has been selected to compete in the Ninth Annual Broadway In Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) sponsored by NBC 5 Chicago, in addition to Dear Evan Hansen; Guardian Music Travel; and Sound, Production & Lighting (SPL).
Huntley’s musical production of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes will be judged against entries from schools throughout the state in the following categories: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Production presented by Guardian Music Travel; Best Direction and Best Scenic Design presented by SPL; Best Choreography and Best Ensemble.
As part of the state-wide competition, 24 nominees (12 actors and 12 actresses) will receive tickets to a Broadway In Chicago show, participate in a workshop with a theater professional, and perform on stage at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in front of Chicago casting agents and theater professionals.
From the 24 nominees, two Illinois award recipients (one Best Actor, one Best Actress) will go on an all-expense paid trip to New York City to represent the State of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards® / National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) and participate in a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only showcase on Broadway. At the showcase, a panel of judges will crown the nation’s top performers. The Jimmy Awards® are named for legendary Broadway theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander. Broadway In Chicago is a Nederlander presentation and is excited to join the network of theatres across the country participating in The Jimmy Awards®.
Although Huntley’s production of “Anything Goes” does not take the stage until April 2020, students are already working to learn tap for this dance-heavy show and are anxiously awaiting auditions.
Anything Goes, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, based on the book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark, A Concord Theatricals Company.
Performances will be held in the District 158 Performing Arts Center at Huntley High School on April 16-17 at 7:00 p.m., and April 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase online at D158.Ticketleap.com beginning March 26, 2020.
The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards celebrate excellence in high school theatre throughout the State of Illinois, provides an opportunity for students to express their love of musical theatre, share their talents, gives students tools and experiences to take them to the next level, and has proven to be a stepping stone for young performers. The IHSMTA is affiliated with the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, a network of over 1,500 schools involving more than 100,000 students creating theatrical productions across the country each year.
For a complete performance lineup for the 2019-2020 season, NEW BEGINNINGS, please visit the PAC webpage at district158.org/coming-soon-to-the-pac/ or contact Lorie Woods, Director of District 158 Performing Arts Center at (847) 659-6107.
