Milton High Students Compete for Musical Theater Awards

UPDATED, CORRECTED: Three categories were missing, including Supporting Actress nomination, and one was mislabled in an earlier version of this article.

students get back from spring break this week and need to immediately go into rehearsals to celebrate their production of "The Drowsy Chaperone," which is a nominee for several Shuler Hensley Awards.

Georgia high school musical theater will light up the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre stage on April 17 for the 2012 Shuler Hensley Awards – the official Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards, celebrating excellence in high school musical theater, according to news release.

Milton High has nominees and honorable mentions for its production of "The Drowsy Chaperone" in several categories (nomination unless otherwise noted):

• Ensemble
• Scenic Design
• Lighting Design
• Supporting Actress, Katie Ailion, The Drowsy Chaperone
• Supporting Actor, Christian Loria, Adolpho
• Technical Execution
• Leading Actress, McKenzie Kurtz, Janet Van De Graaf
• Leading Actor, Spencer Maxwell, Man In Chair
• Music Direction
• Overall Production
• Direction
• Featured Performer (honorable mention), Colton Medlin & Crawford Horton, Gangsters 1 & 2

“How better to recognize and encourage a new generation of artists and audiences than through programs that give expression to young people’s talent and embody a spirit of camaraderie and celebration,” said Michael S. Taormina CFE, Cobb Energy Centre managing director.  “The Shuler Hensley Awards do exactly that, and we are honored to have this initiative among the offerings of ArtsBridge, the arts education program of Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation.”

Two Shuler Award recipients will take away more than a gleaming, glass trophy. The award-winning leading actor and actress will be eligible to compete this summer in the National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA), The Jimmy™, on Broadway in New York City.

Red Carpet, Music and Merry-Making

Conceived as an annual showcase and celebration for high school theater education programs, the Georgia awards program - the Shuler Hensley Awards - is an initiative of the Cobb Energy Centre Foundation educational outreach program, ArtsBridge.  The Shuler Awards are supported by the Cobb Energy Centre Foundation through private contributions and sponsorships.

The Shuler Awards are fashioned after Broadway’s Tony Awards beginning with a glamorous red carpet event at 6:00 p.m. and the curtain will rise at 7:30 p.m. The awards will air on ME-TV, WSB-TV’s digital channel and can be viewed on Channel 248 on Comcast and 127 on Charter.  Jovita Moore and Fred Blankenship, Channel 2 news anchors will co-host the show.

The show will include performances from the six schools nominated for best overall production, leading actor and actress nominee medleys, with award presentations by local and national celebrities.  A highlight of the show will be cameo appearances by Shuler Hensley. The Shuler Student Ensemble, representing the schools participating in this year’s competition, performs the opening and finale production numbers.

“The evening is about much more than awards,” comments Courtney Reed, director of education and community outreach for the Foundation.  “On this occasion, where high school theater students and teachers from across the state showcase their talents and receive a much deserved standing ovation from arts professionals, community leaders and adoring fans and families.  This program is about celebrating theater and the power behind arts in education.  Everyone wins.”

Tickets for the awards are $15 each plus applicable fees.  Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.com, any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-653-8000 or purchased in person at the Bank of North Georgia Box Office at Cobb Energy Centre. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed on Sundays.  The box office is located at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339. 

For general information on the Shuler Hensley Awards program, call 770-916-2800 or visit www.shulerawards.org.