The 5th Avenue Award Nominees Are…

Local High School Musical Theater Honored in Tony Award-Style Event

Sponsored by Wells Fargo

SEATTLE – The 5th Avenue Theatre announces the nominees for its sixth annual 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, sponsored by Wells Fargo . A high school version of the Tony Awards, this program allows drama students from around Washington State to meet, celebrate and honor the exceptional musical theater productions presented during the 2007-2008 school year. The awards are designed to shine the spotlight on high school musical theater programs and offer drama students the same recognition that accomplished high school athletes have received for decades.

Since its inception the program has grown in size and scope, from 31 schools and 3,100 students in 2003 to 73 schools and 7,900 students participating this year. Schools from as far as Spokane , Lynden, Sequim and Lacey 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.

During the past school year, The 5th Avenue sent a team of theater professionals to evaluate each school’s production. Nominations are made in 21 categories, from overall musical production to lobby display.

The 5th Avenue Awards will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 9 at Benaroya Hall ( 200 University St. , Downtown Seattle). The ceremony is relocated to Benaroya Hall this year because the 5th Avenue ’s stage is under construction for the upcoming world premiere of SHREK THE MUSICAL. Nominated students and schools will perform numbers from their shows and get a taste of what it’s like to perform in front of a packed house. Dozens of high-profile politicians, arts and media personalities will be in attendance to present awards and show their support for school arts programs. An estimated 2,500 high school students are expected to attend, along with their families and friends. Tickets are available by contacting the drama departments of the nominated schools. The 5th Avenue sincerely thanks Wells Fargo for its sponsorship of this important event.

Woodinville High School received 15 nominations for their production of Good News. Kentridge High School received 14 nominations for their productions of Little Me, She Loves Me and Mack and Mabel. Richland High School received 11 nominations for their production of Seussical.

Skyline High School’s production of Seussical is the first student-directed show to be nominated for outstanding overall musical production.

The 5th Avenue Award nominees are…

(A complete list is also posted at: http://www.5thavenue.org/education/highschoolawards-2008.aspx)