Hampshire, Deerfield students to compete for national theater awards
Darian Goulding of Hampshire was named Best Actor and Natalie Doppelt of Deerfield won Best Actress at Broadway in Chicago's seventh annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Goulding was honored for his portrayal of The Beast in Hampshire High School's production of “Disney's Beauty and the Beast,” while Doppelt won for her take on Sister Mary Robert in Deerfield High School's “Sister Act.”
York Community High School in Elmhurst won two major awards for its area premiere of “Tuck Everlasting.” York snagged Best Director and Best Production awards for director Rebecca Marianetti's take on the 2016 Broadway musical inspired by Natalie Babbitt's 1975 young adult novel.
Crystal Lake South High School was honored with a Best Scenic Design win for its production of “Peter Pan.”
The awards were announced at a Chicago ceremony at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place on Monday. Preceding the announcement was a daylong series of casting agent panels and workshops for the 24 student nominees.
As the Best Actor and Best Actress winners, Goulding and Doppelt receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York to represent Illinois at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as “The Jimmy Awards” in honor of the late Broadway producer James M. Nederlander. Goulding and Doppelt will get to perform in a one-night-only Broadway showcase on Monday, June 25, following a week of intensive coaching and rehearsals with theater industry professionals.
More information on the National High School Musical Theatre Awards can be found at jimmyawards.com.