Perry students receive Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards for ‘SpongeBob’ performances

COURTESY OF PERRY HIGH SCHOOL
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Perry High School Drama Department will participate in the 2024 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school's achievements for its April production of "The SpongeBob Musical."

Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the showcase will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 and will recognize a total of 102 schools from across the entire state.

Perry students perform a scene from “The SpongeBob Musical.”
Perry students perform a scene from “The SpongeBob Musical.”

Perry High School will be honored in a special video shown at the showcase, in celebration of receiving an Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement Award — one of the program's highest honors.

Seniors Maddy Hollingsworth and Alexa Nelson will represent PHS by performing in a collaborative inter-school medley led by a guest Broadway music director and choreographer.

Senior Riley Sergent will also participate in the Triple Threat Award program with other advanced performing students. In addition to a special performance at the showcase, students will audition for theater camp scholarships and the opportunity to represent Iowa at the Jimmy Awards, or National High School Musical Theatre Awards, in New York City this summer.

Senior Emily Dowd has been selected to serve as a student Assistant Stage Manager for the showcase through a competitive process. She will work alongside the professional team to run rehearsals, call cues, and more to execute the statewide event.

Riley Sergent and Alexa Nelson perform a scene from “The SpongeBob Musical.”
Riley Sergent and Alexa Nelson perform a scene from “The SpongeBob Musical.”

Perry High School will also be recognized with the following awards and honors:

Student Awards

  • Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Alexa Nelson as "SpongeBob Squarepants"

  • Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Riley Sergent as "Patrick Star"

Hunter Ayers, as Squidward, performs a scene from “The SpongeBob Musical.”
Hunter Ayers, as Squidward, performs a scene from “The SpongeBob Musical.”

Special Recognition

  • Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Hunter Ayers as "Squidward Q. Tentacles"

Tickets to the showcase, which start at $15, are on sale now at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.

The Awards Showcase will be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event later this summer on dates to be announced.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Perry students receive musical theater awards for ‘SpongeBob’ performances