Southwest High School Theater Honored at Orpheum

was one of 47 schools to participate in the Hennepin Theatre Trust's sold out 2011 Spotlight Showcase last Monday night. Intended to recognize outstanding achievements in musical theatre, Southwest was recognized for Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical for "Les Misérables," which the school presented last March.

Students performed a song from the famed Broadway musical in front of a packed crowd of parents, educators, and fellow high school theater performers. Several Southwest students were honored individually for their performances as well.

The Spotlight Showcase recognizes the achievements of students as well as schools in categories that include performance, production and community engagement. Currently in its sixth year, in 2010-11 the program saw a record number of students participate. The Trust estimates that approximately 4,000 students were involved this year, and that the resulting productions were seen by 100,000 audience members across the metro area and beyond.

Individual Southwest students recognized at Monday's event were:

• Ben Tracy as Marius: Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role

• Carter Bellaimey as Jean Valjean: Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role

• Jenny LeDoux as Cosette: Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role

• Sarah Shelley as Fantine: Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role

• Tyus Beeson as Javert: Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role

• Anna Kay as Madame Thenardier: Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role

• Louis Umbarger as Thenardier: Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role

• Francesca Dawis as Eponine: Honorable Mention Performance in a Leading Role

• Joshua Kirk as Gavroche: Honorable Mention Performance in a Supporting Role

• Kristian Lee as Enjolras: Honorable Mention Performance in a Supporting Role