The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is proud to announce the recipients of the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards Best Actor and Best Actress recognition. Travis Vandenberg of Kimberly High School and Paige Neumeyer of Green Bay East High School will represent the program at the Jimmy Awards/National High School Musical Theatre Awards this June.
Nominated for their leading performances at their high school and chosen through a separate audition process at the Center, they will represent the Center Stage Awards at the national level and have the opportunity to audition for scholarships, learn from professionals in a week of workshops and perform on stage at the Minskoff Theatre (currently the Broadway home to Disney's The Lion King).
Paige Neumeyer was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actress for her role as Cassie in Green Bay East's production of A Chorus Line. Neumeyer is a senior at Green Bay East High School and has also performed with Next Stage Theater and at Interlochen Arts Camp. Neumeyer intends to study musical theater at Millikin University in Illinois this fall.
Travis Vandenberg was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actor for his role as Seymour Krelborn in Kimberly's production of Little Shop of Horrors. Vandenberg is a senior at Kimberly High School and has also performed with TeenStage Theater. Vandenberg intends to study English education and musical theater performance at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in the fall.
ABOUT THE 2017-18 CENTER STAGE AWARDS
Throughout the 2017-18 school year, 17 local high schools have participated in the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards program, an education initiative that celebrates and supports the achievements of high school theater programs in Northeastern Wisconsin.
During the program year, participating students were invited to attend eight workshops with professional artists at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and had the opportunity to ask questions and explore different aspects of theater, giving them a deeper understanding of professional performing arts.
A team of trained adjudicators attended each participating school's musical production and provided educational feedback, ultimately determining the recipients of this year's Center Stage Awards. Scores for each production were tabulated and the top qualifiers were nominated to represent their school at the official showcase. All qualifying nominees were recognized with an award in their category at the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase on May 19.
This year's participating high schools include: Appleton East, Ashwaubenon, Denmark, Fond du Lac, Freedom, Green Bay East, Green Bay Preble, Green Bay Southwest, Green Bay West, Hortonville, Kimberly, Little Chute, Mishicot, Neenah, Notre Dame Academy, St. Mary Catholic and Winneconne. |