Johns Creek Students Win Shuler Hensley Awards

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JOHNS CREEK, GA -- ArtsBridge Foundation, the producer of the 8th Annual Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards – Shuler Hensley Awards, last week announced the winners of the 2016 awards.

The ceremony was held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. A complete list of the 2016 Shuler Award recipients are as follows:

• Overall Production: Milton High School, Young Frankenstein
  
• Ensemble: Milton High School, Young Frankenstein
  
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor: Will Davis as Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde, Buford High School, Jekyll & Hyde
  
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress: Shelbea Owens as Tracy Turnblad, Marietta High School, Hairspray
  
• Best Performance by a Supporting Actor: Koosha Kermani as Fester, Johns Creek High School, The Addams Family
  
• Best Performance by a Supporting Actress: Parker Jennings as Mrs. Banks, Greater Atlanta Christian School, Mary Poppins
  
• Best Performance by a Featured Performer: Lauren Kenner as Frau Blucher, Milton High School, Young Frankenstein
  
• Direction: Julie Leggett, Calhoun High School, Oklahoma!
  
• Sound: Tara Mitra, Johns Creek High School, The Addams Family
  
• Costume Design: Kimberly Staples, Buford High School, Jekyll & Hyde
  
• Scenic Design: Steven Broyles, Wesleyan School, Hot Mikado
  
• Lighting Design: Kirk Grizzle, South Forsyth High School, Ghost the Musical
  
• Technical Execution: Olivia Morris, South Forsyth High School, Ghost the Musical
  
• Orchestra: Michael Huebner, Kennesaw Mountain High School, Little Shop of Horrors
  
• Music Direction: Eric Gray, West Forsyth High School, The Little Mermaid
  
• Choreography: Lynne Brague and Laurel Henson, Mount Paran Christian School, Crazy for You
  
• Show Stopper: Buford High School, Jekyll & Hyde, Murder Murder
  

The recipients of the leading actor and actress awards will travel to New York City to participate in the 8th Annual National High School Musical Theatre Awards that will take place June 27 at the Minskoff Theater on Broadway.

They will compete with young performers from across the country for the coveted JimmyTM Award as well as merit scholarships and professional opportunities.

The 91-member Shuler Student Ensemble performed an opening number from Motown the Musical and closing number from Memphis. The ceremony also featured cameo appearances from Marietta-native and Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley; performances by the six schools nominated for overall production; a performance of Murder, Murder from Jekyll & Hyde by Buford High School, winner of the Show Stopper award; and leading actor and actress nominee medleys.

A team of more than 60 Atlanta-based arts professionals evaluated the productions of the 50 participating high schools. Twenty-eight public and private schools from throughout the state were nominated in the 17 categories for the awards.

In addition to the awards, ArtsBridge Foundation presented the following five scholarships and one grant during the ceremony:

• Broadway Dreams Performance Scholarships: Lauren Hill, Flowery Branch High School and Sam Dubin, Lakeview Academy
  
• Alliance Theatre Summer Camp Scholarships: Hannah Dahl, Northview High School and Jonte John, Newton High School
  
• Morrell Memorial Music Scholarship: Andy Turner, Forsyth Central High School
  
• Jubilee Cultural Arts Scenic Design Grant: Dawson County High School

The Shuler Awards are a program of ArtsBridge Foundation. ArtsBridge provides quality performing arts education programs designed to engage and motivate the next generation of artists and arts supporters.

To learn more about the Shuler Hensley Awards, visit its website or follow the organization on Facebook.

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Photo: Johns Creek High School's production of "The Addams Family." Credit: benrosephotography.com.