Greater Atlanta high school musical theater will light up the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre stage on April 26, for the 2011 Shuler Hensley Awards, celebrating excellence in high school musical theater.
“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 that embody a spirit of camaraderie and celebration,” said Michael S. Taormina CFE, Cobb Energy Centre managing director, “the Shuler Hensley Awards program does exactly that, and we are honored to have it among the offerings of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.”
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, The Jimmy, on Broadway in New York City.
Conceived as an annual showcase and celebration for high school theater education programs, the Atlanta awards program—formally named the Shuler Hensley Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater—is an initiative of the Cobb Energy Centre educational outreach program, ARTSBRIDGE.
The Shuler Awards ceremony is fashioned after Broadway’s Tony Awards beginning with a glamorous red carpet event at 6 pm. The curtain will rise at 7:30 pm with an exciting opening number performance starring the Shuler Student Ensemble and Shuler Hensley. The ceremony will also feature entertaining performances by the six schools nominated for overall production and leading actor and actress nominees.
Presenters include local and national celebrities, community leaders, and arts professionals.
“The evening is about much more than awards,” comments Courtney Reed, director of education and community outreach for the Foundation, “it’s a night where high school theater students and teachers from across the region showcase their talents and receive a much deserved standing ovation from arts professionals, community leaders and adoring fans and families. This evening is about celebrating theater and the power behind arts in education. Everyone wins.”
Over the course of the past seven months, a group of over 30 Atlanta-based professionals from the arts community fanned-out to evaluate and provide professional feedback to high school performances across greater Atlanta. Among the evaluators was Brian D. Frey, general manager of Theater of the Stars, Inc.
“With the level of musical theatre talent that I have had the pleasure to experience in our local high schools, it is comforting to know that the musical theatre scene in Atlanta…is safe in the hands of these future stars,” Frey said. “The Shuler Hensley Awards program is sure to enhance the already promising talents of our local high school performers.”
Local nominees are Whitewater’s Taylor Martinez is nominated for Leading Actress in “Fame” for the role of Carmen Diaz.
Starr’s Mill’s production of “Hairspray” is nominated in Scenic Design (Steve Rambeck, Will Soper and Erik Roseen), Stage Crew and Technical Execution, Choreography (Courtney Savage) and Supporting Actor for Hairspray, Dillon Roseen for the role of Link Larkin
McIntosh’s Sara Turner is nominated in Supporting Actress for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” for the role of Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre.
Shuler Hensley himself will kick off the April 26th spectacular. It’s an incredible honor,” said Hensley. “It sort of makes me feel like I’m still linked to the community.” Having grown-up in the arts, Shuler recalled the “magic” of actor-audience relationships. He also remembers that for students participating in high school musicals and plays, the afterglow evaporates quickly. The Shuler Hensley Awards celebrate student achievement and promote the power behind arts education. “So this is exciting and somewhat long overdue,” Hensley said. “It’s really all about putting the young people in the spotlight and having them feel inspired and rewarded.”
Tickets for the Shuler Hensley Awards are on sale for $15 plus applicable fees. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, by phone 800-745-3000 or at the box office. Visit www.shulerawards.org.
