It was one of the most highly anticipated nights of the year for high-school theater programs across Washington: the 16th Annual 5th Avenue Awards honoring high school musical theater.
Presented at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in front of roughly 2,000 cheering teenagers on June 11, many in full costumes representing their schools’ productions, students accept awards for top achievements and perform musical excerpts.
Created in 2003 by Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, the program has grown from 24 productions and 3,100 students to 119 productions and more than 10,000 students participating this year. Each year, schools from across the state submit their musicals for consideration by the 5th Avenue Awards Committee, made up of local theater professionals.
Awards are handed out in 21 categories ranging from Outstanding Overall Musical Production to Outstanding Lobby Display, and this year a total of 20 high schools received awards — a testament to the high quality of work being done in all the participating schools, since no school dominated the ceremony.
Tahoma High School in Covington took home top honors at the end of the night with the award for Outstanding Overall Musical Production for its production of “Tarzan The Stage Musical.”
Walla Walla High School student Cassie Dixon received the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress for her performance as Ella Peterson in “Bells are Ringing,” and Hanford High School student Jake Isom received the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor for his performance as Lt. Frank Cioffi in “Curtains.” A full list of the winners can be found here.
They will travel to the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City at the end of June.
Closer to home, one of Seattle’s own won Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. Jaidyn Lam, a senior from Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, nabbed the award for her role as Bobbi/Gabby in “City of Angels.” It was both her first win and the first 5th Avenue award for SAAS.
Michael Cimino, director of “City of Angels,” says, “participating in the awards is a fun way to connect the kids with the greater school musical scene … it’s like a rock concert for theater kids."
