On April 13, hundreds of local high school students, teachers, fans and Austin media gathered at the Long Center for the Third Annual Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards (GAHSMTA). Months of rehearsing, local productions, and hard work came to a head as representatives from Ballet Austin, ZACH Theatre, the University of Texas, the Long Center, Austin Opera and the Austin Symphony announced the winners.

The ceremony featured a variety of performances from the nominated casts, including a medley showcasing lead actors and actresses, a finale including a male and female from each participating school, a select ensemble chosen through auditions and performances from each of the nine Best Production nominees.

“The kids involved will never forget their experience tonight,” said Marc Seriff, president and CEO at the Long Center. “No matter what direction their lives take–in the arts or just as a fan of the arts–this program has changed them forever.”

Media partner KXAN recorded the event for rebroadcast on Saturday, April 30.

The Winners:

Best Production–Hendrickson High School, “Urinetown”

Best Direction–Hendrickson High School, “Urinetown”

Best Choreography–Cedar Ridge High School, “Aida”

Best Musical Direction–James Bowie High School, “Tarzan”

Best Orchestra–James Bowie High School, “Tarzan”

Best Scenic Design–Round Rock High School, “Mary Poppins”

Best Lighting Design–Rouse High School, “Guys and Dolls”

Best Costume Design–St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, “The Addams Family”

Best Technical Execution–Vista Ridge High School, “Young Frankenstein”

Best Ensemble–McCallum Fine Arts Academy, “Titanic”

Best Actor in a Leading Role–Pedro Castenada, Hendrickson High School, “Urinetown”

Best Actress in a Leading Role–Sophie Niles, McNeil High School, “Little Shop of Horrors”

Best Actor in a Supporting Role–Harmon Gamble, Hendrickson High School, “Urinetown”

Best Actress in a Supporting Role–Chloe Byars, James Bowie High School, “Tarzan”

Best Featured Performer–Kayja Thomas, Cedar Creek High School, “Footloose”

Wells Fargo Scholarship Recipients–Kaitlin Hatton, DJ Fortner, David Pena, Jesse Hernandez, Joseph Kelley, Alex Poole, Tristan Banuelos, Alyssa Anderson, Audrey Dickerson, Makasha Copeland, Adele Simms

School Grants–Bastrop High School, Del Valle High School, Georgetown High School, John B. Connally High School and David Crockett High School

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