The 5th Avenue Award Goes To...

Washington’s high school musical theater programs honored in Tony Award-Style event, sponsored by Wells Fargo

SEATTLE - Tonight, 2,200 high school students, teachers and parents from across Washington State packed The 5th Avenue Theatre for the Eighth Annual 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, sponsored by Wells Fargo. A highly enthusiastic crowd filled the Theatre and cheered as the award recipients were announced in 22 different categories, ranging from Outstanding Overall Musical Production to Outstanding Program Design.

The nominees, some dressed in their production costumes and the rest in their best party clothes, shook the walls of the Theatre with their cheering and applause, celebrating a variety of exceptional musical theater productions presented during the 2009-2010 school year. Nominees in select categories presented numbers from their shows and performed song medleys. Teachers and students alike were thrilled to receive recognition for their hard work and dedication, just as accomplished high school athletes have received for decades.

Since its inception the program has grown in size and scope, from 31 productions and 3,100 students in 2003 to 93 productions and 9,300 students participating this year. 183 nominations were given to 64 schools in various categories and 89 students received honorable mentions. Schools from as far as Spokane, Lynden, Sequim and Vancouver are reporting back to The 5th Avenue that their involvement in this awards program has significantly helped their individual efforts to secure funding, improve curriculum and increase student participation.

Kamiak High School received the Outstanding Overall Musical Production Award, while University High School took home the most awards of the evening, three.Hanford High School, Roosevelt High School, Liberty High School and Lake Stevens High School all received two awards each.

Tori Gresham at Eisenhower High School received the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, and Dalin Tipton at North Central High School for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. Hanford High School took home Outstanding Direction, University High School received the award for Outstanding Music Direction, and Roosevelt High School was the recipient for Outstanding Choreography.

For a full list of our nominees and recipients, visit our 2010 High School Musical Theatre Awards Nominees & Recipients page at5thavenue.org/education/highschoolawards-2010.aspx.

TVW did a live webcast of the event (hosted on the 5th Avenue website) and will repeat a broadcast tomorrow night, Tuesday June 8, at 7:00 p.m., as well as the following Saturday June 12 at 7:00 pm and Sunday June 13 at 1:00 pm. After June 13, the event may be viewed as streaming video at www.tvw.org.