♪♪ Announcer: Funding for this program is provided by... ...supporting programming for citizenship, education, and the arts.

Woman: Musco Lighting is honored to support Iowa PBS.

We're an Iowa company that lights local schools, community fields, and stadiums, arenas, and venues in more than 125 countries.

While our reach is global, our commitment is local.

Man: From the Des Moines Civic Center, it's the 2025 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase.

♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Broadway!

Broadway!

♪ ♪ How great you are ♪ ♪ I'll leave the farm with all its charm ♪ ♪ Ah ♪ ♪ To be a Broadway star ♪ ♪ To be a Broadway star ♪ ♪ Bright lights!

White lights!

♪ ♪ Where the neons glow ♪ ♪ My bag is packed, I've got my act ♪ ♪ So, all aboard, come on, let's go ♪ ♪ Let's go ♪ ♪ Let me entertain you ♪ ♪ Let me make you smile ♪ ♪ Let me do a few tricks, some old and then some new tricks ♪ ♪ I'm very versatile ♪ ♪ And if you're real good, I'll make you feel good ♪ ♪ I want your spirits to climb ♪ ♪ So let me entertain you ♪ ♪ And we'll have a real good time, yes sir ♪ ♪ We'll have a real good time ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Have you seen the well-to-do ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Up and down Park Avenue?

♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ On that famous thoroughfare with their noses in the air?

♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ If you're blue and you don't know where to go to ♪ ♪ Why don't you go where fashion sits?

♪ ♪ Puttin' on the Ritz ♪ ♪ Diff’rent types who wear a day coat ♪ ♪ Steppin' out with my baby ♪ ♪ Pants with stripes and cutaway coat, perfect fits ♪ ♪ Can't go wrong ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm in right ♪ ♪ Steppin' out ♪ ♪ Puttin' on the Ritz ♪ ♪ Dressed up like a million-dollar trooper ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Tryin' hard to look like Gary Cooper ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Super duper ♪ ♪ Steppin' out with my baby ♪ ♪ Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in right ♪ ♪ Ask me when will the day be ♪ ♪ The big day may be tonight ♪ ♪ Tonight, tonight ♪ ♪ Could it be?

Yes, it could ♪ ♪ Won't be just any night ♪ ♪ Something's comin', something good ♪ ♪ If I can wait ♪ ♪ Ah ♪ ♪ Something's comin', I dunno what it is ♪ ♪ But it is gonna be great ♪ ♪ Around the corner ♪ ♪ Or whistling down the river ♪ ♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Deliver to me ♪ ♪ It's only just out of reach ♪ ♪ Down the block, on a beach ♪ ♪ Maybe tonight ♪ ♪ Maybe tonight ♪ ♪ Maybe tonight ♪ ♪ Maybe tonight ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ One singular sensation ♪ ♪ Ev'ry little step she takes ♪ ♪ One thrilling combination ♪ ♪ Ev'ry move that she makes ♪ ♪ One smile and suddenly nobody else will do ♪ ♪ You know you'll never be lonely with you know who ♪ ♪ One moment in her presence ♪ ♪ And you can forget the rest ♪ ♪ For the girl is second best to none, son ♪ ♪ Ooh!

Sigh!

♪ ♪ Give her your attention ♪ ♪ Do I really have to mention?

♪ ♪ She's the, she's the ♪ ♪ She's the one ♪ ♪ One!

One!

One!

One!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Myers: Across the state, high school students are bringing stories to life on stage, honing their craft, building teamwork, and creating something bigger than themselves.

And behind the scenes, the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards is there to support and celebrate their journey.

Hillman: The growth of the program has been amazing to see, and it has positively impacted our drama program every year that we've participated.

It's encouraging students to have all sorts of experiences, not just for competition or for awards, but learning experiences.

Myers: Adjudication is the foundation of the program.

Theater professionals travel to schools to see and review their full productions, giving directors and students valuable feedback on how to grow and improve their craft.

It shows that we all have talent and that people are watching us and looking at us to give us feedback on how we do and to make us improve.

Waring: I've seen them radically shift from "I'm just here saying my lines and singing my songs" to "I'm out here and I am communicating this storyline."

Myers: Hands-on workshops throughout the year in both performance and technical areas take students' learning even further.

Paulsen: We're given the chance to grow in a safe environment.

The teacher in the class is super supportive and all the students are really uplifting to everyone else.

And it's not an opportunity that I think a lot of students will get the chance to participate in.

Myers: The season culminates in a night like no other, with a year-end showcase on the Civic Center stage, featuring collaborative medleys directed by guest artists, performances from outstanding productions, and a spotlight on the dedication of students both on and off the stage.

It is an amazing night of community and celebration.

Our students love participating in the showcase.

They have been able to meet other students from other schools and work with world-class directors and artists.

A lot of them have been inspired to go on and continue performing at the collegiate level.

Chase: The value of this program is tremendous.

It validates what the teachers are doing.

It validates what the students are doing.

It tells them that what they are doing is worthwhile.

[ Applause ] Man: Please welcome schools representing the Outstanding Musical Production category in our first ensemble medley... [ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Woo, woo ♪ ♪ Woo, woo ♪ ♪ Woo, woo ♪ ♪ Woo, woo ♪ ♪ Join us, leave your field to flower ♪ ♪ Join us, leave your cheese to sour ♪ ♪ Join us, come and waste an hour or two ♪ ♪ Doodle-ee-doo ♪ ♪ Journey, journey to a spot exciting, mystic, and exotic ♪ ♪ Journey through our anecdotic revue ♪ ♪ We’ve got magic to do, just for you ♪ ♪ We’ve got miracle plays to play ♪ ♪ We’ve got parts to perform, hearts to warm ♪ ♪ Kings and things to take by storm ♪ ♪ As we go along our waaaaaaay ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Intrigue ♪ ♪ Plots to bring disaster ♪ ♪ Humor ♪ ♪ Handled by a master ♪ ♪ Romance ♪ ♪ Sex presented pastorally ♪ ♪ Doodle-ee-dee ♪ ♪ Illusion ♪ ♪ Fantasy to study ♪ ♪ Battles ♪ ♪ Barbarous and bloody ♪ ♪ Join us ♪ ♪ Sit where everybody can seeeeeeeeee ♪ ♪ We've got magic to do ♪ ♪ Just for you ♪ ♪ We've got miracle plays to play ♪ ♪ We've got parts to perform ♪ ♪ Hearts to warm ♪ ♪ Kings and things to take by storm ♪ ♪ As we go along ♪ ♪ We’ve got magic to do, just for you ♪ ♪ We’ve got magic to do, just for you ♪ ♪ We’ve got magic to do, just for you ♪ ♪ We’ve got magic to do, just for you ♪ ♪ We’ve got magic to do, just for you ♪ ♪ As we go along ♪ ♪ Our waaaaaaaaaaaaay ♪ ♪ Heeeeey ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Down here all the fish is happy ♪ ♪ As off through the waves they roll ♪ ♪ The fish on the land ain't happy ♪ ♪ They sad 'cause they in their bowl ♪ ♪ But fish in the bowl is lucky ♪ ♪ They in for a worser fate ♪ ♪ One day when the boss get hungry ♪ ♪ Guess who gon' be on the plate ♪ ♪ Uh-oh, under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Nobody beat us ♪ ♪ Fry us and eat us ♪ ♪ In fricassee ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ We what the land folks loves to cook ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Under the sea we off the hook ♪ ♪ We got no troubles ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Life is the bubbles under the sea ♪ ♪ Life is the bubbles under the sea, oh, under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Since life is sweet here we got the beat here naturally ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Even the sturgeon and the ray ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ They get the urge 'n' start to play ♪ ♪ We got the spirit ♪ ♪ You got to hear it ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ The newt play the flute ♪ ♪ The carp play the harp ♪ ♪ The plaice play the bass ♪ ♪ And they soundin' sharp ♪ ♪ The bass play the brass ♪ ♪ The chub play the tub ♪ ♪ The fluke is the duke of soul ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ The ray he can play ♪ ♪ The lings on the strings ♪ ♪ The trout rockin' out ♪ ♪ The blackfish she sings ♪ ♪ The smelt and the sprat ♪ ♪ They know where it's at ♪ ♪ And oh, that blowfish blow ♪ [ Singers cheering ] ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Now is the time to seize the day ♪ ♪ Stare down the odds and seize the day ♪ ♪ Once we've begun ♪ ♪ If we stand as one ♪ ♪ Someday becomes somehow ♪ ♪ And a prayer becomes a vow ♪ ♪ And the strike starts right damn ♪ ♪ Now let 'em hear it loud and clear ♪ ♪ Now let 'em hear it loud and clear ♪ ♪ Like it or not we're drawing near ♪ ♪ Like it or not we're drawing near ♪ ♪ Proud and defiant ♪ ♪ We'll slay the giant ♪ ♪ Judgment day is here ♪ ♪ Strike!

Strike!

♪ ♪ Strike, strike, strike, strike, oh, strike ♪ [ Singers cheering ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey ♪ [ Singers cheering ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Now is the time to seize the day ♪ ♪ They're gonna see there's hell to pay ♪ ♪ Nothing can break us ♪ ♪ No one can make us quit before we're done ♪ ♪ One for all and all ♪ ♪ For one ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Man: Please welcome performers representing the Outstanding Principal Role category in our first spotlight medley.

♪♪ [ French accent ] ♪ Be our guest ♪ ♪ Be our guest ♪ ♪ Put our service to the test ♪ ♪ Tie a napkin 'round your neck, chérie ♪ ♪ And we’ll provide the rest ♪ ♪ Soup du jour, hot hors d'oeuvres ♪ ♪ Why, we only live to serve ♪ ♪ Try the gray stuff, it's delicious ♪ ♪ Don't believe me?

♪ ♪ Ask the dishes ♪ ♪ They can sing, they can dance ♪ ♪ After all, miss, this is France ♪ ♪ And a dinner here is never second best ♪ ♪ Go on, unfold your menu ♪ ♪ Take a glance and then you'll be our guest ♪ ♪ Oui, our guest, be our guest ♪ [ Laughs ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Magic foot ♪ ♪ Take me to the final round ♪ ♪ Magic foot ♪ ♪ Barely lifted off the ground ♪ ♪ Magic foot ♪ ♪ I do it without making a sound ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Magic foot ♪ ♪ Write the letter ♪ ♪ Magic foot ♪ ♪ Write the perfect letter ♪ ♪ Magic foot ♪ ♪ It’s an alphabetter way to spell ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ And if I'm gone tomorrow ♪ ♪ What was ours still will be ♪ ♪ I have something to believe in ♪ ♪ Now that I know you believed ♪ ♪ In meeeeeeeeee ♪ ♪ I have something to believe in ♪ ♪ Now that I know you believed ♪ ♪ In meeeeeeeeeee ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ They're not all that impressed with conversation ♪ ♪ True gentlemen avoid it when they can ♪ ♪ But they dote and swoon and fawn ♪ ♪ On a lady who's withdrawn ♪ ♪ It's she who holds her tongue who gets her man ♪ ♪ Come on, you poor unfortunate soul ♪ ♪ Go ahead ♪ ♪ Make your choice ♪ ♪ I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day ♪ ♪ It won't cost much ♪ ♪ Just your voice ♪ ♪ You poor unfortunate soul ♪ ♪ It's sad ♪ ♪ But true ♪ ♪ If you want to cross a bridge, my sweet ♪ ♪ You've got to pay the toll ♪ ♪ Now take a gulp and take a breath ♪ ♪ And go ahead and sign the scroll ♪ ♪ Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys ♪ ♪ The boss is on a roll ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ You poor unfortunate ♪ ♪ Sooooooooooooul ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ There's a dream in the future ♪ ♪ There's a struggle we have yet to win ♪ ♪ And there's that pride in my heart ♪ ♪ To lift us up tomorrow ♪ ♪ Just to sit still would be a sin ♪ ♪ Lord knows ♪ ♪ I know ♪ ♪ Where I've beeeeeen ♪ ♪ I give thanks to my God 'cause I know where I've beeeeeeen ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Hello.

We are the students selected to serve as assistant stage managers for this year's Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase.

This week, we've been busy helping to run tech rehearsals, and now we're here working alongside professionals to make tonight's magic happen.

We are calling queues, getting performers and speakers lined up and ready, and wrangling microphones.

Through this experience, we've gained a deeper appreciation for the efforts of the many people in roles offstage that make a production happen.

Students recognized for outstanding achievements in technical, business, and creative areas throughout the year were invited to create short videos highlighting their work.

All the videos are available online and you can access them using the QR code in your program.

We'd like to share a few of them with you now.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Giltner: This is Waukee Northwest's behind-the-scenes video for Outstanding Achievement in Props and Scenic Design.

There are many aspects that go into our scenic and props design.

Our process consisted of drafting and laying out all the details that go into our design and construction.

For our set, our scenic heads employed symbolism and details that led to the opera boxes and the butterflies, ultimately culminating into the set that we know and love.

Many crew went into this process as well, which showed in our amazing final product.

Our props process consisted of planning and drafting, organizing, painting, and more as we designed and organized key aspects of our show like the music box and the Dowager Empress's cane.

Every prop is important to telling the story.

Every person and design was crucial to making our show come to life.

[ Cheers and applause ] McClure: Hi, my name is Kaylee McClure and I was the head of publicity for Ames High's production of "Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins."

The first step I do for any show is develop a color scheme and brand appearance that will translate across all social media, posters, tickets, programs and more.

As you can see, my initial mood board and palette changed as I met with the rest of my creative team throughout the process, evolving into a design that included both the iconic symbols of the show and nods to our interpretation of this story.

Alongside the show's design, I grew and led a small but mighty team that fostered fresh ideas to help us reach new demographics.

The two most effective forms of advertising we found was the outreach involved with the district's elementary schools, including a coloring contest with show information and main character meet and greets in the morning alongside the massive social-media campaign, which aimed at using humor and dramatics to increase viewership and attendance for older and returning audiences.

[ Applause ] Capson: Hello, my name is Karlee Capson and I was the lighting designer for my school's production of "Catch Me If You Can."

With my two years of lighting experience, I was given creative freedom with the lighting design process.

Since I was working with a limited lighting system, I needed to maximize what each light could do.

I worked closely with costuming, set design, choreography, and actors to select what colors would be used to complement each aspect of the production.

During designing, I gave some characters a color scheme matching their moods, songs, and costumes.

For example, I gave the parents of the main character, Frank and Paula Abagnale, the color purple to start the play.

Then, as they started to separate, Paula's color scheme got more pink, while Frank's got more blue.

That added to the impact of this scene, where Frank Sr. is left only in a blue backlight.

I had an amazing experience as the lighting designer for "Catch Me If You Can."

I grew in my organization, communication, and problem-solving skills and expanded my knowledge in the world of theater tech.

I am grateful for the help of my amazing director, stage manager, and tech crew members and the clinicians I got to work with.

This was a great experience and I'm looking forward to next year.

[ Applause ] Thomas: Hi, my name is Walker Thomas from Indianola High School, and I took part as the student choreographer for this year's production of "Footloose."

Choreographing act two, scene one, I knew I wanted to make it a challenge for everyone involved.

After all, this is the very first scene where Ren's friends get to see firsthand what true dancing looks like.

So I had the idea to make "Still Rockin'" a very partner-heavy number just to add a sense of "wow" factor.

Now, when choreographing for "Let's Hear It for the Boy," this was probably the most challenging number of them all to choreograph.

There are so many incremental parts in this song, such as the girls and boys dancing, but also Willard's character development throughout the whole piece.

It was very important that whatever I did for everyone else didn't distract from the main person of the scene, that being Willard.

Fortunately, it worked out in the end and the crowd really seemed to enjoy it, as did everyone else in the cast.

Everyone seemed to really enjoy performing my choreography on the stage, and I couldn't be happier because of it.

Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ] Man: The Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards encourages schools to use their shows to inspire community-focused projects.

I'm Emma McCool from Lewis Central.

For "Into the Woods," we partnered with our neighbors at the Iowa School for the Deaf to raise awareness and visibility.

Students from both schools shared the stage, and four American Sign Language interpreters shadowed the actors.

Inserting the interpreters into the action rather than leaving them off to the side elevated the experience for all involved.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Bella Riley, representing North Scott.

Inspired by our production of "9 to 5," we teamed up with Dress for Success Quad Cities and Argrow's House, two organizations that serve and empower women in our community.

We collected donations of businesswear at each performance, and representatives of both organizations were on hand to tell the audience about other ways they can help.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Danny McCune from Siouxland Christian.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" sparked the idea for a shoes and socks drive to benefit Siouxland Foster Closet and the families they serve.

A donations box was placed at the school entrance.

A royal tea party gave elementary school students a chance to contribute, and we also collected gift cards to purchase the most requested sizes so the shoes were sure to fit.

[ Cheers and applause ] Hi, I'm John Thompson, and I'm from Southeast Warren.

Dorothy wasn't the only one trying to get home in "The Wizard of Oz."

Her little dog is too.

So in Toto's honor, we worked with Kiya Koda Humane Society to identify the animals' most urgent needs.

The list included pet food, cleaning supplies, cat litter, and more, and we collected donations during each of our performances.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Abbey Crew from Spencer High School.

The themes in "Guys and Dolls" explore both love and loss.

In Spencer, residents experienced both in last summer's catastrophic flooding.

To help lift spirits during the recovery, we organized a cabaret camp to give grade school students a chance to sing, dance, act, and laugh.

Registration fees were then donated to the Spencer Chamber of Commerce Flood Relief Fund.

[ Cheers and applause ] Man: Please welcome the cast of Dubuque Senior's "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," Des Moines Christian's "Disney's The Little Mermaid," and Wahlert Catholic's "Anything Goes."

♪♪ [ Gasps ] ♪ Would ya look at that coffered ceiling?

♪ [ Gasps ] ♪ Look at that chandelier ♪ ♪ Excuse me but how I'm feeling ♪ ♪ Is a hundred-proof ♪ ♪ I could raise the roof ♪ ♪ I'm so happy to be here ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I've been kind of missing Mom and Daddy ♪ ♪ Sort of in a spin since Cincinnati ♪ ♪ The morning flight a major bore ♪ ♪ But then they open the cabin door ♪ ♪ And zut alors ♪ ♪ Here I am ♪ ♪ Lord knows I had the will ♪ ♪ And the resources ♪ ♪ But Mom and Dad kept saying ♪ ♪ "Hold your horses" ♪ ♪ I guess those ponies couldn't wait ♪ ♪ Pardon me, folks, but they've left the gate ♪ ♪ I may be late but here I am ♪ ♪ Ah, the way to be to me is French ♪ ♪ The way they c’est la vie is French ♪ ♪ So here I am, Beaumont Sur Mer ♪ ♪ A big two weeks on the Riviera ♪ ♪ If I'm only dreaming, please don't wake me ♪ ♪ Ah-ah ♪ ♪ Let the summer sun ♪ ♪ And breezes take me ♪ ♪ Excuse me if I seem jejeune ♪ ♪ I promise I'll find my marbles soon ♪ ♪ But everywhere I look ♪ ♪ It's like a scene from a book ♪ ♪ Open the book and here I am ♪ ♪ Oops, sorry ♪ ♪ Ba ba-ba ba ba ba ba ba ♪ ♪ Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo, dum ♪ ♪ Ba ba-ba ba ba ba ba ba ♪ ♪ Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo, dum ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I mean, the air is French ♪ ♪ That chair is French ♪ ♪ This nice sincere sancerre is French ♪ ♪ The skies are French ♪ ♪ The pies are French ♪ ♪ These fries are French ♪ ♪ This guy is French ♪ ♪ Pardon me if I fly off the handle ♪ ♪ ‘Cause no place else on Earth ♪ ♪ Can hold a candle ♪ ♪ So veni, vidi, vici, folks ♪ ♪ Let's face it ♪ ♪ Je suis ici, folks ♪ ♪ Excusez-moi if I spout ♪ ♪ I'm letting my je n'sais qoi out ♪ ♪ I'm sorry to shout but here I aaaaaaaam ♪ ♪ Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, ba-dum ♪ ♪ Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, ba-dum ♪ ♪ Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, here I am ♪ Oops!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ The seaweed is always greener ♪ ♪ In somebody else's lake ♪ ♪ You dream about going up there ♪ ♪ But that is a big mistake ♪ ♪ Just look at the world around you ♪ ♪ Right here on the ocean floor ♪ ♪ Such wonderful things surround you ♪ ♪ What more is you lookin' for?

♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Darling, it's better ♪ ♪ Down where it's wetter ♪ ♪ Take it from me ♪ ♪ Up on the shore they work all day ♪ ♪ Out in the sun they slave away ♪ ♪ While we devotin' ♪ ♪ Full time to floatin' ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Down here all the fish is happy ♪ ♪ As off through the waves they roll ♪ ♪ The fish on the land ain't happy ♪ ♪ They sad 'cause they in their bowl ♪ ♪ But fish in the bowl is lucky ♪ ♪ They in for a worser fate ♪ ♪ One day when the boss get hungry ♪ ♪ Guess who's gon' be on the plate ♪ ♪ Uh-oh ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Nobody beat us ♪ ♪ Fry us and eat us ♪ ♪ In fricassee ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ We what the land folks loves to cook ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Under the sea we off the hook ♪ ♪ We got no troubles ♪ ♪ Aha, aha, aha ♪ ♪ Life is the bubbles under the sea ♪ ♪ Life is the bubbles under the sea ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ When the sardine ♪ ♪ When the sardine begin ♪ ♪ Begin the beguine ♪ ♪ It's music to me ♪ ♪ It's music to me ♪ ♪ What do they got?

♪ ♪ A lot of sand ♪ ♪ We got a hot crustacean band ♪ ♪ Each little clam here ♪ ♪ Know how to jam here ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Each little slug here ♪ ♪ Cuttin' a rug here ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Each little snail here ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Know how to wail here ♪ ♪ That's why it's hotter ♪ ♪ Under the water ♪ ♪ Ya, we in luck ♪ ♪ Down in the muck ♪ ♪ Under the seeeeeeeeeeea ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Blow, Gabriel, blow ♪ ♪ Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow ♪ ♪ I've been a sinner, I've been a scamp ♪ ♪ And now I'm willin' to trim my lamp ♪ ♪ So blow, Gabriel, blow ♪ ♪ I was low, Gabriel, low ♪ ♪ Mighty low, Gabriel, low ♪ ♪ But now since I have seen the light ♪ ♪ I'm good by day and I'm good by night ♪ ♪ So blow, Gabriel ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Once I was headed for hell ♪ ♪ Once I was headed for hell ♪ ♪ But when I got to Satan's door ♪ ♪ I heard you blowin' on your horn once more ♪ ♪ So I said, "Satan, farewell" ♪ ♪ Now I'm all ready to fly ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Yes, to fly higher and higher and higher ♪ ♪ 'Cause I've gone through brimstone ♪ ♪ And I've been through the fire ♪ ♪ And I've purged my soul and my heart too ♪ ♪ So climb up the mountaintop and start to ♪ ♪ Blow, Gabriel, blow ♪ ♪ Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow ♪ ♪ I want to join your happy band ♪ ♪ And play all day in the promised land ♪ ♪ So blow, Gabriel ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Come on and blow, Gabriel, blow ♪ ♪ Gabriel, blow, Gabriel, blow, Gabriel ♪ ♪ I want to join your happy band ♪ ♪ And play all day in the promised land ♪ ♪ So blow, Gabriel ♪ ♪ Blooooooooooow ♪ ♪ Bloooooooow ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Man: The 2025 Outstanding Overall Performance Awards are presented to 15 schools in recognition of their high-achieving performance elements.

Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center brought "The Sound of Music" to life with a confident ensemble, standout vocal blend, and thoughtful character work.

A well-balanced orchestra and intimate staging further elevated this enduring classic.

Aplington-Parkersburg's "Godspell" captivated audiences with a joyful ensemble, stylized choreography, and musical excellence.

Character driven performances and a vibrant orchestra added richness to the narrative.

Davenport Central energized "Hairspray" with bold acting choices, confident soloists, and a high-energy ensemble.

Character-driven choreography and powerful vocals helped the story of change and community soar.

Davenport North's "Sweeney Todd" featured performers with clear intent and emotional depth.

Musical interpretation and a skilled orchestra heightened the drama of this suspenseful tale.

Des Moines Roosevelt's "Annie" showcased a cast fully engaged in the world of the play.

Character commitment, visually appealing choreography, and a well-rehearsed orchestra brought warmth and energy to this beloved classic.

Fort Dodge brought "Anastasia" to life with expressive movement and believable character relationships.

A polished orchestra and strong vocals from leads and chorus members enriched the show's emotional journey.

In Grand View Christian's "The Music Man," River City teemed to life through the efforts of a large, committed chorus and well-developed characters.

Standout feature dancers and stellar barbershop harmonies further delighted viewers.

Iowa City West presented a moving "Sound of Music" with evolving character arcs and beautifully blended harmonies.

Singers and instrumentalists worked in tandem to stir the audience's emotions.

Johnston's "Mean Girls" featured bold characterization, crisp choreography, and powerful vocals.

A unified orchestra underscored the action, helping the cast bring humor and heart to the high school-centered story.

Lewis Central tackled the demanding score of "Into the Woods" with confidence and artistry.

Strong acting, fluid staging, and the thoughtful inclusion of sign language added resonance to the layered story.

Montezuma's "Beauty and the Beast" impressed with clear character choices and intricate ensemble action.

Seamless blocking and expressive choreography swept audiences into the fairy-tale world.

Nevada's "Newsies" delivered striking vocal performances and dynamic physicality.

Diverse choreography fueled the dance numbers, and well-developed character work gave emotional depth to the story's dramatic arc.

Shenandoah charmed through strong onstage partnerships and engaging storytelling in "Guys and Dolls."

Crowd-pleasing production numbers were performed with personality and flair.

Siouxland Christian's "Cinderella" sparkled through entertaining ensemble work and layered lead performances.

Precise choreography and vocals added to the sense of wonder and magic.

West Des Moines Valley presented a high-energy spectacle with "Anything Goes."

Impressive choreography and musical phrasing made the Cole Porter score shine, while heartfelt and comedic acting delighted viewers.

Congratulations on your performance achievements.

[ Cheers and applause ] Please welcome our next Spotlight medley featuring select honorees from the Outstanding Principal Role category.

♪♪ ♪ A lovely night ♪ ♪ A lovely night ♪ ♪ A finer night you know you’ll never see ♪ ♪ You meet your prince ♪ ♪ A charming prince ♪ ♪ As charming as a prince will ever be ♪ ♪ The stars in a hazy heaven ♪ ♪ Tremble above you ♪ ♪ While he is whisp’ring ♪ ♪ “Darling, I love you” ♪ ♪ You say goodbye ♪ ♪ Away you fly ♪ ♪ But on your lips you keep a kiss ♪ ♪ All your life you'll dream of this ♪ ♪ Lovely, lovely night ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Some things are meant to be ♪ ♪ The clouds moving fast and free ♪ ♪ The sun on a silver sea ♪ ♪ A sky that's bright and blue ♪ ♪ And some things will never end ♪ ♪ The thrill of our magic ride ♪ ♪ The love that I feel inside for you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ We'll climb high beyond the break of day ♪ ♪ Sleep on stardust and dine on bits of moon ♪ ♪ You and I will find the Milky Way ♪ ♪ We'll be mad and explore ♪ ♪ We'll recline a loft upon the breeze ♪ ♪ Dart about, sail on with windy ease ♪ ♪ Pass the days doing only as we please ♪ ♪ That's what living is for ♪ ♪ Ooooh, ooooooh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ No more giants ♪ ♪ Waging war ♪ ♪ Can't we just pursue our lives ♪ ♪ With our children and our wives?

♪ ♪ Till that happier day arrives ♪ ♪ How do you ignore ♪ ♪ All the witches ♪ ♪ All the curses ♪ ♪ All the wolves, all the lies ♪ ♪ The false hopes, the goodbyes ♪ ♪ The reverses ♪ ♪ All the wondering what even worse is still in store?

♪ ♪ No moooooore ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Tomorrow I may be in rainy-gay Paree ♪ ♪ Just stay right where you are and dance ♪ ♪ I’m not a castanet ♪ ♪ That clicks with no regret ♪ ♪ You’re more than that by far, so dance ♪ ♪ The place we're in can never be what was ♪ ♪ Till we begin to do what dancing does ♪ ♪ My darling, I was bad ♪ ♪ Bad husband and bad dad ♪ ♪ Instead of being sad ♪ ♪ Alone, we're lost ♪ ♪ We're drifting out to sea ♪ ♪ But side-by-side ♪ ♪ We're gloomy as can be ♪ ♪ As gloomy as can be ♪ ♪ Morticia, I was wrong ♪ ♪ I knew it all along ♪ ♪ Forgive me with a song ♪ ♪ And dance ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Oh, it's a hard, cold, tumble of a journey ♪ ♪ Worthy of a gurney, a bumble down ♪ ♪ A slapped face, smacked with a mace ♪ ♪ Certain to debase is our stumble down ♪ ♪ It's a path that leads to only one place ♪ ♪ Horrible to retrace, a crumble down ♪ ♪ A hard, cold, tumble of a tourney ♪ ♪ Jumble of a journey to Urinetown ♪ ♪ Julie Cassidy ♪ ♪ Went to a field behind a tree ♪ ♪ Thought there was no one who could see her pee ♪ ♪ But me ♪ ♪ And Jacob Rosenbloom ♪ ♪ Thought he was safe up in his room ♪ ♪ Didn't know the jars he kept up there ♪ ♪ Would obligate a trip to a Urine-tomb ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Don't be afraid ♪ ♪ I'll be with you all the waaaaaaaaaay ♪ ♪ Come on and chop to the top ♪ ♪ Chop to the top ♪ ♪ Come on and chop to the top ♪ ♪ Don’t ever stop ♪ ♪ Come on and chop to the top ♪ ♪ Chop to the top ♪ ♪ Come on and chop ♪ ♪ Come on and chop to the top ♪ ♪ Don't ever stop ♪ ♪ Come on and chop ♪ ♪ Come on and chop ♪ ♪ Come on and chop ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] The Behind-the-Scenes program celebrates the achievement of student leaders who serve in important offstage roles.

It gives them an opportunity to talk to students from across the state, get an understanding of what programs look like, what other people are doing, the kinds of creativity and decisions that are being made, and an opportunity to get excited not just about what they're doing, but about what other people are doing as well.

Kelsey: This place is really gadgeted out, and it has a lot of people you can look at to see what might be your future.

So it's a little surreal to see everyone living the dream.

Behind-the-Scenes program, I feel like it really features people that don't always get noticed, and so it's awesome to be here and be noticed.

Honorees come together for an exciting day with peers and theater professionals focused on building their professional network and knowledge of the theater industry.

Parrott: Looking around the room with all of the other professionals that were there, I saw choreographers, I saw costume designers, I saw television and video producers.

The young people that I saw today are well on their way to developing a career, being a part of this incredible industry that's so much fun.

We got to get hands-on experience in theater work, whether that was cable throwing or wiring for lights.

And I thought that that was really beneficial to get that firsthand experience, to meet with these people who have already gone through the hoops to get into this industry.

And it's really helped me understand how I can continue doing theater past high school.

I like to tell people that you can actually become a practicing theater professional, but you got to be good.

You got to be patient.

It's going to take time.

McClure: I think my biggest takeaway from today is to not be scared or fearful of what's to come for my future in pursuing higher education, but be open to taking in new opportunities, whether it be with the skills I have from theater in a regular job going forward, or taking my skills and applying them to theater in the future.

The Behind-the- Scenes Awards Day really solidified that this is what I want to do in the future.

I want to go into theater.

This, this is what I was meant to do.

[ Cheers and applause ] Man: Please welcome to the stage this year's Behind-the-Scenes honorees.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Please welcome our next spotlight medley.

♪♪ ♪ I remember the way ♪ ♪ Our sainted mother ♪ ♪ Would sit and croon us ♪ ♪ Her lullaby ♪ ♪ She'd say, “Kids, there's a place ♪ ♪ That's like no other ♪ ♪ You got to get there before you die ♪ ♪ Easy street ♪ ♪ Easy street ♪ ♪ Where you sleep till noon” ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ She'd repeat ♪ ♪ Easy street ♪ ♪ Better get there soon ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ It isn't much but it is enough for me ♪ ♪ For this is my house ♪ ♪ This is my house ♪ ♪ It isn't much but it is enough for me ♪ ♪ This is my house ♪ ♪ This is my house ♪ ♪ It isn't much but it is enough ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ A parade ♪ ♪ A parade ♪ ♪ Passing by ♪ ♪ Passing by ♪ ♪ It was hot ♪ ♪ Not a cloud in the sky ♪ ♪ Then a boy caught my eye ♪ ♪ In a crowd of thousands ♪ ♪ The parade traveled on ♪ ♪ With the sun in my eyes, you were gone ♪ ♪ But I knew even then ♪ ♪ In a crowd of thousands ♪ ♪ I'd find you ♪ ♪ Again ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I'll walk into the sunset ♪ ♪ I'll sail across the sea ♪ ♪ The final word ♪ ♪ The last you'll hear of me ♪ ♪ Of me ♪ ♪ Is goodbye ♪ ♪ Goodbye to every night alone ♪ ♪ Goodbye ♪ ♪ Goodbye to lives I don't own ♪ ♪ I am tired of living on the stage ♪ ♪ My life is only on the page ♪ ♪ My empty lives are in the past ♪ ♪ I've tried before but here's the last goodbye ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ And that is why, though I'm painfully shy ♪ ♪ I'm insane to know which, sir?

♪ ♪ You, sir?

Not you, sir, or you, sir ♪ ♪ When, sir, and where, sir?

♪ ♪ I couldn't be tenser ♪ ♪ So let's get this done, man, get on with the fun, man ♪ ♪ I am one man ♪ ♪ Shyyyyyyyyyyy ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Santa Fe, my old friend ♪ ♪ I can't spend my whole life dreaming ♪ ♪ Though I know that's all I seem inclined to do ♪ ♪ I need space and fresh air ♪ ♪ Let 'em laugh in my face ♪ ♪ I don't care ♪ ♪ Save my plaaaaace ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I'll be there ♪ ♪ Just be real is all I'm asking ♪ ♪ Not some painting in my head ♪ ♪ ‘Cause I'm dead if I can't count on you today ♪ ♪ I got nothing if I ain't got ♪ ♪ Santa Feeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Good evening.

My name is Avery Lauer, and it is a pleasure to join you all tonight presenting this year's Technical Theater Scholarships.

Receiving the Technical Theater Scholarship in 2019 afforded me the opportunity to study theater design at DePaul University in Chicago.

[ Cheers and applause ] They also took all my money.

I'm in massive student debt.

[ Laughter ] The same award that also led me to being stuck in Los Angeles traffic, running errands for designers I looked up to since childhood.

However, none of this could have been accomplished without my high school's theater program.

It was there, in Pleasantville, Iowa, on the stage that doubled as a gymnasium that I found a sense of belonging.

And it was my directors who fed the flames of my newfound love of theater.

This year, I had the opportunity to return to the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards as an adjudicator evaluating 12 productions.

In total, over 100 productions were reviewed this year by passionate arts advocates from across our great state.

Could we give a round of applause for our dedicated adjudicators?

[ Cheers and applause ] Tonight we would like to recognize five talented individuals for their hard work and leadership in the area of design and technical theater.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, each student will receive a cash scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to help them continue their studies and future endeavors.

In addition, one will be honored for their exceptional dedication to their craft and distinct flair for leadership.

This student will be awarded this year's Top Technical Theater Scholarship Award for a total scholarship value of $5,000.

Please join me in celebrating our scholarship recipients.

[ Cheers and applause ] From Earlham High School, Hayley Coil, stage management.

[ Cheers and applause ] From North Scott High School, Aiden Kelsey, lighting design.

[ Cheers and applause ] From West Des Moines Valley High School, Lola Costello, sound design.

[ Cheers and applause ] From Waukee High School, Selma Fetic, costume design.

[ Cheers and applause ] From North Scott High School, Gabrielle Anderson, hair and makeup design.

[ Cheers and applause ] This year's Top Technical Theater Scholarship Award goes to... Selma Fetic from Waukee High School.

[ Cheers and applause ] Man: Please welcome the casts of Indianola's "Footloose," Waukee Northwest's "Anastasia: The Musical," and Ames' "Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins."

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I need a hero ♪ ♪ I’m holding out for a hero till the end of the night ♪ ♪ He’s gotta be strong ♪ ♪ And he’s gotta be fast ♪ ♪ And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight ♪ ♪ I need a hero ♪ ♪ I’m holding out for a hero till the morning light ♪ ♪ He’s gotta be sure and it’s gotta be soon ♪ ♪ And he’s gotta be larger than life ♪ ♪ Through the wind and the chill and the rain ♪ ♪ And the storm and the flood ♪ ♪ I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood ♪ ♪ Like a fire in my blood, like a fire in my blood ♪ ♪ Like a fire in my blood, like a fire in my ♪ ♪ Ah, ah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Let’s hear it for the boy ♪ ♪ Hear it for the boy ♪ ♪ Let’s give the boy a hand ♪ ♪ Let’s hear it for my baby ♪ ♪ You know you gotta understand ♪ ♪ Whoa, maybe he’s no Romeo ♪ ♪ He’s my loving one-man show ♪ ♪ Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa ♪ ♪ Let’s hear it for the boy ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah ♪ ♪ Tonight I gotta cut loose ♪ ♪ Footloose ♪ ♪ Kick off your Sunday shoes ♪ ♪ Please, Louise, pull me off-a my knees ♪ ♪ Jack, get back ♪ ♪ Come on before we crack ♪ ♪ Lose your blues ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody cut, ev’rybody cut ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody cut, ev’rybody cut ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody cut, ev’rybody cut ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody cut, ev’rybody cut ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody ♪ ♪ Ev’rybody cut Footloose ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Voilà, mes amis, here's Paris ♪ ♪ Now that we're here, follow me ♪ ♪ Begin with the view as you stroll down "la rue" ♪ ♪ And soon, all Paris will be singing to you ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Ahh, ahh ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ Paris holds the key to your heart ♪ ♪ And all of Paris plays a part ♪ ♪ Paris turned a page to a new modern age ♪ ♪ And we'll do it too if we're smart ♪ ♪ The French have it down to an art ♪ ♪ Everyone's a writer, painter, poet ♪ ♪ Everything is avant-garde or chic ♪ ♪ We'll be in the know before we know it ♪ ♪ When you're in the know, it's, oh, it's magnifique ♪ ♪ To find in Paris what you seek ♪ ♪ Paris holds the key to her fate ♪ ♪ We won't have much longer to wait ♪ ♪ And then, come what may ♪ ♪ We will each go our way ♪ ♪ I dreamed of a city beyond all compare ♪ ♪ It’s hard to believe that I’m finally there ♪ ♪ At last, there’s a future ♪ ♪ There’s freedom ♪ ♪ There’s hope in the air ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪ ♪ Paris holds the key to your heart ♪ ♪ The pleasures of life à la carte ♪ ♪ Come dance through the night and forget all your woes ♪ ♪ The City of Light, how it glitters and glows ♪ ♪ And one never knows what will start ♪ ♪ Paris hold the key ♪ ♪ To your ♪ ♪ Heaaaaaaaaaart ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ When Stone Age men were chatting ♪ ♪ Simply grunting would suffice ♪ ♪ Though if they’d heard this word ♪ ♪ They might have used it once or twice ♪ ♪ I'm sure Egyptian pharaohs ♪ ♪ Would have grasped it in a jiff ♪ ♪ Then every single pyramid would bear this hieroglyph ♪ ♪ Oh, Supercalifragilistic expialidocious ♪ ♪ Say it and wild animals will not seem so ferocious ♪ ♪ Add some further flourishes, it's so ro-co-co-coscious ♪ ♪ Ah-ah ♪ ♪ Ah-ah ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ Supercalifragilistic expialidocious ♪ ♪ So when the cat has got your tongue ♪ ♪ There's no need to dismay ♪ ♪ Just summon up this word and then you've got a lot to say ♪ ♪ Pick out those 18 consonants and 16 vowels as well ♪ ♪ And put them in an order which is very hard to spell.

♪ [ Clears throat ] ♪ S-U-P-E-R ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ C-A-L-I-F ♪ ♪ R-A-G-I-L ♪ ♪ I-S-T-I-C-E-X-P-I-A-L-I-D ♪ ♪ O-C-I-O-U-S ♪ ♪ S-U-P-E-R ♪ ♪ C-A-L-I-F ♪ ♪ R-A-G-I-L ♪ ♪ I-S-T-I-C-E-X-P-I-A-L-I-D ♪ ♪ O-C-I-O-U-S ♪ ♪ S-U-P-E-R ♪ ♪ C-A-L-I-F ♪ ♪ R-A-G-I-L ♪ ♪ I-S-T-I-C-E-X-P-I-A-L-I-D ♪ ♪ O-C-I-O-U-S ♪ ♪ S-U-P-E-R ♪ ♪ C-A-L-I-F ♪ ♪ R-A-G-I-L ♪ ♪ I-S-T-I-C-E-X-P-I-A-L-I-D ♪ ♪ O-C-I-O-U-S ♪ ♪ Supercalifragilistic expialidocious ♪ ♪ Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious ♪ ♪ If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound precocious ♪ ♪ Supercalifragilistic ♪ ♪ Supercalifragilistic ♪ ♪ Supercalifragilistic expialidocious ♪ ♪ Supercalifragilistic expialidocious ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Man: Please welcome the cast of North Scott's "9 to 5," Spencer's "Guys and Dolls," and Cedar Rapids George Washington's "Hello, Dolly!"

♪♪ ♪ Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen ♪ ♪ Pour myself a cup of ambition ♪ ♪ Yawn and stretch and try to come to life ♪ ♪ Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin' ♪ ♪ Out on the streets, the traffic starts jumpin' ♪ ♪ For folks like me on the job from nine to five ♪ ♪ Workin' nine to five ♪ ♪ What a way to make a livin' ♪ ♪ Barely gettin' by ♪ ♪ It's all takin' and no givin' ♪ ♪ They just use your mind ♪ ♪ And they never give you credit ♪ ♪ It's enough to drive you ♪ ♪ Crazy if you let it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Nine to five, you can lose your mind ♪ ♪ Get up and work, get up and work ♪ ♪ Nine to five, you can lose your mind ♪ ♪ Workin’ nine to five ♪ ♪ Nine to five, you can lose your mind ♪ ♪ Nine to five ♪ ♪ It’s enough to drive you crazy ♪ ♪ It’s enough to drive you crazy ♪ ♪ It’s enough to drive you crazy ♪ ♪ It’s enough to drive you ♪ ♪ Get up and work, get up and work ♪ ♪ Nine to five ♪ ♪ Nine to ♪ ♪ Dreams and plans are in the making ♪ ♪ Success is out there for the taking ♪ ♪ Wish it was as simple as it sounds ♪ ♪ Simple as it sounds ♪ ♪ I swear to you I'm gonna do it ♪ ♪ Grit my teeth and I'll get through it ♪ ♪ It’s hard to see the upside when you're down ♪ ♪ Working nine to five ♪ ♪ It became necessary ♪ ♪ When my husband Dick ♪ ♪ Left me for his secretary ♪ ♪ Never worked before ♪ ♪ But somehow I gotta make it ♪ ♪ Till I learn the ropes ♪ ♪ I guess I’ll just have to fake it ♪ ♪ Get up and work, get up and work ♪ ♪ Nine to five, lose your mind ♪ ♪ Nine to five, workin' nine to five ♪ ♪ Nine to five, workin’ nine to five ♪ ♪ It’s enough ♪ ♪ I deserve a fat promotion ♪ ♪ For folks like me ♪ ♪ The tide’s gonna turn ♪ ♪ Workin’ nine to five ♪ ♪ Nine to five ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I dreamed last night I got on the boat to heaven ♪ ♪ And by some chance I had brought my dice along ♪ ♪ And there I stood, and I hollered, "Someone fade me" ♪ ♪ But the passengers, they knew right from wrong ♪ ♪ For the people all said, "Sit down ♪ ♪ Sit down, you're rockin' the boat" ♪ ♪ People all said, "Sit down ♪ ♪ Sit down, you're rockin' the boat ♪ ♪ And the devil will drag you under ♪ ♪ By the sharp lapel of your checkered coat ♪ ♪ Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down ♪ ♪ Sit down, you're rockin' the boat" ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I sailed away on that little boat to heaven ♪ ♪ And by some chance found a bottle in my fist ♪ ♪ And there I stood nicely passin' out the whiskey ♪ ♪ But the passengers were bound to resist ♪ ♪ For the people all said, "Beware ♪ ♪ The people all said, "Beware ♪ ♪ You're on a heavenly trip" ♪ ♪ People all said, "Beware ♪ ♪ People all said, "Beware ♪ ♪ Beware, you'll scuttle the ship ♪ ♪ And the devil will drag you under ♪ ♪ By that fancy tie 'round your wicked throat ♪ ♪ Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down ♪ ♪ Sit down, you're rockin' the boat" ♪ ♪ Down ♪ ♪ And as I laughed at those passengers to heaven ♪ [ Laughs ] ♪ A great big wave came and washed me overboard ♪ ♪ And as I sank and I hollered, "Someone save me" ♪ ♪ That's the moment I woke up, thank the Lord ♪ ♪ Thank the Lord ♪ ♪ Thank the Lord ♪ ♪ Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Put on your Sunday clothes ♪ ♪ There's lots of world out there ♪ ♪ Get out the brillantine and dime cigars ♪ ♪ We're gonna find adventure in the evening air ♪ ♪ Girls in white, in a perfumed night ♪ ♪ Where the lights are bright as the stars ♪ ♪ Put on your Sunday clothes ♪ ♪ We're gonna ride through town ♪ ♪ In one of those new horse-drawn open cars ♪ ♪ We'll see the shows at Delmonico's ♪ ♪ And we'll close the town in a whirl ♪ ♪ And we won't come home until we've kissed a girl ♪ ♪ Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out ♪ ♪ Strut down the street and have your picture took ♪ ♪ Dressed like a dream, your spirits seem to turn about ♪ ♪ That Sunday shine is a certain sign that you feel ♪ ♪ As fine as you look ♪ ♪ Beneath your parasol, the world is all a smile ♪ ♪ That makes you feel brand new down to your toes ♪ ♪ Get out your feathers, your patent leathers ♪ ♪ Your beads and buckles and bows ♪ ♪ For there's no blue Monday in your Sunday clothes ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Put on your Sunday clothes ♪ ♪ There's lots of world out there ♪ ♪ Put on your silk cravat and patent shoes ♪ ♪ For I can feel adventure in the evening air ♪ ♪ To town, we'll trot to a smokey spot ♪ ♪ Where the girls are hot as a fuse ♪ ♪ Put on your high silk hat and at the turned-up cuff ♪ ♪ We'll wear a handmade gray suede buttoned glove ♪ ♪ We'll join the Astors at Tony Pastor's ♪ ♪ And this, I'm positive of ♪ ♪ That we won't come home ♪ ♪ That we won't come home ♪ ♪ That we won't come home until we fall in love ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Man: The 2025 Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement Awards are presented to seven schools in recognition of their high-level technical and creative elements.

Carroll & Kuemper Catholic High Schools captured the gritty energy of "West Side Story" with a blend of deftness and artistry.

Dynamic lighting, swift-changing sets, and distinctly 1950s costumes defined the rival gangs and enhanced every shift in mood and time.

Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove's rendition of "Roald Dahl's Matilda: The Musical" showcased impressive resourcefulness.

Versatile set pieces and a gorgeously lit psych created a vibrant backdrop for the action.

Precisely timed transitions further kept the storytelling fluid and engaging.

Okoboji brought the quirky world of "Dreamland" to life through smart visual storytelling, cohesive design across costumes, lighting, and set, paired with skillfully coordinated props and wigs, unified the production's bold concept for this comedic tale about the declassification of Area 51.

Pleasant Valley's "The SpongeBob Musical" dazzled with texture and detail at every turn.

A multi-level set supported dynamic stage pictures, while a consistent color palette across lighting, costumes, and scenery enhanced mood and supported the joyful chaos of Bikini Bottom.

In Red Oak's "Into the Woods," a mysterious fairy-tale forest took shape with cascading fabrics suggesting endless trees.

Atmospheric lighting, richly detailed costumes, and charming miniature storybook sets added depth and enchantment to the characters' journey.

Tipton's "Disney's Newsies" featured a large, two-tiered set that shifted efficiently to support the show's fast pace.

Creative details like swing doors, a functioning printing press, intricate lighting, and period costumes firmly established the bustling world of 1900s New York.

Williamsburg's technical design for "Disney's Newsies" immersed audiences in the hardscrabble lives of the newsboys.

Scaffolding created dynamic levels, smooth transitions kept the action moving, costumes established class divides, and emotionally resonant lighting heightened the drama.

Congratulations on your technical and creative achievements.

[ Applause ] Please welcome our next spotlight medley featuring representatives from the Outstanding Principal Role category.

♪♪ ♪ Gray skies are gonna clear up ♪ ♪ Put on a happy face ♪ ♪ Brush off the clouds and cheer up ♪ ♪ Put on a happy face ♪ ♪ Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy ♪ ♪ It's not your style ♪ ♪ You'll look so good that you'll be glad ♪ ♪ Ya decided to smile ♪ ♪ Pick out a pleasant outlook ♪ ♪ Stick out that noble chin ♪ ♪ Wipe off that "full of doubt" look ♪ ♪ Slap on a happy grin ♪ ♪ And spread sunshine all over the place ♪ ♪ Just put on a happy face ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ This is getting crazy, I should tell ‘em so ♪ ♪ Really let my anguish show ♪ ♪ I feel like I was trapped inside a nightmare ♪ ♪ I’ve got nowhere to go ♪ ♪ Yes, it’s what I wanted, but I’m scared as hell ♪ ♪ Staring down the deepest well ♪ ♪ I hardly dare to think of what would happen ♪ ♪ Where I’d be if I fell ♪ ♪ Under attack, I'm being taken ♪ ♪ About to crack, defenses breakin' ♪ ♪ Won't somebody please have a heart?

♪ ♪ Come and rescue me now 'cause I'm fallin' apart ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ When wilt thou save the people?

♪ ♪ Oh, God of mercy, when?

♪ ♪ The people, Lord, the people ♪ ♪ Not thrones and crowns, but men ♪ ♪ Oh, God save the people ♪ ♪ For thine they are ♪ ♪ Thy children as thy angels fair ♪ ♪ Save the people from despair ♪ ♪ God save the people ♪ ♪ God save the people ♪ ♪ God save the people ♪ ♪ God save the people ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I grew up on the sly ♪ ♪ In the gutters and the streets of Petersburg ♪ ♪ Just a kid on the fly ♪ ♪ Getting good at getting by in Petersburg ♪ ♪ I've bartered for a blanket ♪ ♪ Stolen for my bread ♪ ♪ Learned to take my chances ♪ ♪ And use my head ♪ ♪ A Russian rat is clever ♪ ♪ Clever, or he ends up dead ♪ ♪ Boils down to ♪ ♪ There are some who survive ♪ ♪ Some who don't ♪ ♪ Some give up, some give in ♪ ♪ Me, I won't ♪ ♪ Black and blue, welcome to my Petersburg ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I'll treat you right and never act shoddy ♪ ♪ If you kill a man, I'll hide the body ♪ ♪ Whadaya say?

♪ ♪ You're not responding ♪ ♪ I think we're bonding ♪ ♪ Don't let me go ♪ ♪ Don't let me go ♪ ♪ Don't let me go ♪ ♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh, you need me ♪ ♪ You ‘n me, we belong together ♪ ♪ Like butter and grits ♪ ♪ Like kibbles and bits ♪ ♪ Like yin and yang ♪ ♪ Sturm and Drang ♪ ♪ Like Eng and Chang, attached at the hip ♪ ♪ But not an ole lady hip that might break ♪ ♪ I'm gonna be on you like a fat kid on cake ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ You're the top ♪ ♪ You're a Waldorf salad ♪ ♪ You're the top ♪ ♪ You're a Berlin ballad ♪ ♪ You're the boats that glide on the sleepy Zuiderzee ♪ ♪ You're an Old Dutch master ♪ ♪ You're Lady Astor ♪ ♪ You're broccoli ♪ ♪ You're romance ♪ ♪ You're the steppes of Russia ♪ ♪ You're the pants on a Roxy usher ♪ ♪ I’m a broken doll, a folderol ♪ ♪ A flop ♪ ♪ But if, baby, I'm the bottom ♪ ♪ You're the toooooop ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Each year, students nominate adults in their communities whose support is essential to the success of the musical theater journey.

I'm Haley Coil from Earlham High School, and I am pleased to introduce our first Impact Award recipient.

Luke Brown is an engineer by trade, and for 10 years he has used those skills to build sets at Earlham High School.

With his collaborative work style, every task becomes a learning opportunity.

He is there for whatever we need, from hanging lights to fixing our curtain rope when it broke less than 24 hours before opening.

Above all, he helps students bring their visions to life and fosters a love of learning, teamwork, and innovation.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] I'm Miles Engstrom from Nevada High School.

Alan Erickson is our technical director.

He designs our sets, directs our tech booth.

And because he's just that awesome, he even steps in to coach our performers.

But his most valuable contributions is as a mentor, showing students that it's okay to try and fail and try again.

He encourages responsibility, problem solving, and curiosity, lessons we'll have with us for life.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Jilian Garris from Pleasant Valley High School, and I want to celebrate our theater director, Christina Myatt.

In 24 years of service, she has turned our drama club into a community where every student feels heard, cared for, and empowered.

She stresses that every member of the crew onstage and behind the scenes is vital to a show's success.

Best of all, she gives us the knowledge and encouragement we need to own our work.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Rianne Nelsen from Siouxland Christian School.

Angie Spake, or Mama Spake as students call her, is our assistant director and the queen of props.

She'll drive hours to find the perfect table, or visit several bakeries for just the right loaf of bread, and then return again when the cast "accidentally" eats the first one.

[ Laughter ] Her patience and dedication bring out the best in each student, building our talents, but just as important, building our confidence and sense of self-worth.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Hello, everyone.

My name is Karoline Myers and I'm the Director of Education at Des Moines Performing Arts.

And we have one last very special and surprise Impact Award to bestow this evening.

This award goes to someone whose vision made tonight possible.

His legacy, one of many pieces of his legacy, will be the thousands of students and teachers involved in musical theater across our state, who know they are seen and supported because of the continuous advocacy for the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards that he's provided.

He is often behind the scenes so students may or may not recognize him, but he is no stranger to many in this room and beyond, who also share his belief in the capacity of young people and the importance of arts education.

Tonight, we honor Des Moines Performing Arts President and C.E.O.

Jeff Chelesvig.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] With this being Jeff's final IHSMTA Showcase prior to his retirement later this year, we just couldn't let the evening pass without recognizing his leadership.

Even though I don't know how much trouble I'll be in later.

[ Laughter ] The Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards launched 13 years ago because Jeff had a vision for how DMPA could shine a light on the remarkable work happening at high school theaters across his home state, while also helping Iowa's young artists reach new levels of achievement through education and inspiration.

Under his leadership, the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards has grown to become one of the largest programs of its kind in the country, but more importantly, the state of high school musical theater in Iowa has been transformed over the last decade-plus into a truly vibrant, collaborative, and artistic community.

So, on behalf of every current and former student and educator and the entire team here at Des Moines Performing Arts, thank you, Jeff.

We don't know what we'll do without you.

Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ] Man: Please welcome our final spotlight medley of the evening.

♪♪ ♪ It's David and Goliath, do or die ♪ ♪ The fight is on and I can't watch what happens ♪ ♪ But all I know is nothing happens if you just give in ♪ ♪ It can't be any worse than how it's been ♪ ♪ And it just so happens that we just might win ♪ ♪ So whatever happens ♪ ♪ Let's begiiiiiin ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Who, sir?

You, sir?

♪ ♪ No one's in the chair, come on, come on!

♪ ♪ Sweeney's waiting ♪ ♪ I want you bleeders ♪ ♪ You, sir, anybody ♪ ♪ Gentlemen, now don't be shy ♪ ♪ And I will get him back ♪ ♪ Even as he gloats ♪ ♪ In the meantime I'll practice ♪ ♪ On less honorable throats ♪ ♪ And my Lucy lies in ashes ♪ ♪ And I'll never see my girl again ♪ ♪ But the work waits ♪ ♪ I'm alive at last ♪ ♪ And I'm full of joooooooy ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I feel dizzy ♪ ♪ I feel sunny ♪ ♪ I feel fizzy and funny and fine ♪ ♪ And so pretty ♪ ♪ Miss America can just resign ♪ ♪ See the pretty girl in that mirror there ♪ ♪ Who can that attractive girl be?

♪ ♪ Such a pretty face, such a pretty dress ♪ ♪ Such a pretty smile, such a pretty me ♪ ♪ I feel stunning and entrancing ♪ ♪ Feel like running and dancing for joy ♪ ♪ For I'm loved ♪ ♪ By a pretty wonderful boy ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Don't like who you are?

♪ ♪ Then hit that costume shop ♪ ♪ Rock a new and different sexy look ♪ ♪ Why be so downhearted?

♪ ♪ Blast some trashy pop ♪ ♪ And drop it to this hot and sexy hook ♪ ♪ I can be who I wanna be and sexy ♪ ♪ I can be who I wanna be and hot ♪ ♪ Be somebody new ♪ ♪ Do a total transformation ♪ ♪ Animal or min’ral too ♪ ♪ Or even vegetation ♪ ♪ I give you sexy corn ♪ ♪ I can be who I want to be and sexy ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ If you're ever in a jam, here I am ♪ ♪ If you ever need a pal, I'm your gal ♪ ♪ If you ever feel so happy you land in jail ♪ ♪ I'm your bail ♪ ♪ It's friendship, friendship ♪ ♪ Just a perfect blendship ♪ ♪ When other friendships have been forgot ♪ ♪ Ours will still be hot ♪ ♪ Lahdle-ahdle-ahdle dig-dig-dig ♪ ♪♪ ♪ If they ever crack your spine ♪ ♪ Drop a line ♪ ♪ If they ever cut your throat ♪ ♪ Write a note ♪ ♪ If they ever make a cannibal stew of you ♪ ♪ Invite me too ♪ ♪ It's friendship, friendship ♪ ♪ Just a perfect blendship ♪ ♪ When other friendships have been forgate ♪ ♪ Ours will still be great ♪ ♪ Lahdle-ahdle-ahdle ♪ ♪ Woof-woof-woof ♪ ♪ Quack-quack-quack ♪ ♪ It's woof-woof-woof ♪ ♪ No, it's not ♪ ♪ Yes, it is ♪ ♪ When other friendships have been forgot ♪ ♪ Ours will still be hooooooot ♪ ♪ Woof, woof, woof ♪ ♪ Quack, quack, quack ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] How are we all feeling tonight?

Hey.

Hello, Iowa.

[ Cheers and applause ] Hi, everyone.

I'm Stevie LaWarne, a 2016 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School and a proud alumnus of the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards.

To be here on the Civic Center stage to present the Triple Threat Award to celebrate students who excel in singing, dancing, and acting is an amazing, full-circle moment for me.

I was once literally in these students' shoes as a Triple Threat nominee.

The experiences and opportunities I enjoyed as a participant in the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards showed me I could have a career in performing arts, and I have.

Since graduating from New York University with my degree in vocal performance and musical theater, I have performed professionally all over the world.

I am so thankful to the Des Moines Performing Arts for helping me find and grow my passion for performing.

Soon we'll have a chance to watch this year's Triple Threat nominees perform together.

But first, let's take a look at their experience in the past few days.

[ Cheers and applause ] Gillette: The Triple Threat Award program invites students who performed as leads in their school musical to compete for scholarships and the chance to represent Iowa in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City.

This is my favorite gig every year.

The Triple Threat program is not just about doing this incredible performance.

It is that, but it's also about creating this one singular experience that all of the students can benefit from and then take with them wherever they choose to go in life.

Cooper: They get a chance to be with 80 other theater high school students that are just as enthusiastic about theater as they are.

The best of the best theater kids in Iowa come together to put together one heck of a show.

We learn how to become better performers, both in an individual way as well as a group setting.

We learn how to take criticism and use it to grow, and we get fantastic teaching and just get to work with amazing professionals.

Students gain new skills through coaching sessions, workshops, and professional auditions.

It was such a welcoming environment.

It was so fun to be able to have a little bit of time to work with such professionals, and then to see, from their advice, how much I could grow in my singing.

I was a little nervous at first, but he just let me know, "This is just a practice.

We're going to get you ready for what's going to come."

And he just helped me be confident.

Just getting that active feedback in an audition room, It's really a gift because you learn so much.

Wood: Today the caliber of talent is phenomenal.

Students have been doing really great.

You can definitely see that there's nerves there, but they are pushing through those nerves, doing their best and really, really showing us what they've brought.

It was really cool.

They have a lot of vast knowledge in breaking down the song, and working with others is always the best way to improve upon yourself.

The program culminates with a special performance put together under the direction of Broadway professionals.

Littlefield: The students have a really fast turnaround process between first rehearsal and performance.

Beer: It's truly a remarkable feeling because you're hearing this piece of music that's never been performed, never been put together before, and it's especially remarkable because you're never really worried "Will this work?"

It's just, "How does it work?"

I'm really excited to perform on that stage.

It was really exciting to see all of the seats in the house going on that stage.

It was a little bit terrifying, but also exciting just because I've never performed for an audience that big before.

I feel really proud of myself for making it to this point because I never thought that I would, but being in the Triple Threat program has really opened my eyes to how many people have the talent to go out there and just sing their hearts out and have the passion to be on that stage.

I am so excited for the showcase.

It's just gonna be like a big theater party kind of thing.

And I'm just very, very excited to perform and to watch and just to celebrate the amazing performers that we have.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Light is made of waves ♪ ♪ Sound is made of waves ♪ ♪ People are not made of waves ♪ ♪ Circuits have wires, people have veins ♪ ♪ Wires carry life, veins carry blood ♪ ♪ Dreams are elusive ♪ ♪ The kind we've gotten used to is ♪ ♪ Nothing I can feel ♪ ♪ Nothing I can hold ♪ ♪ Nothing I can have ♪ ♪ Nothing that I know ♪ ♪ Dreams come, and they go ♪ ♪ So pure, so pure ♪ ♪ So pure, so electric ♪ ♪ Light is made of waves, sound is made of waves ♪ ♪ Circuits have wires, people have veins ♪ ♪ To those little believers ♪ ♪ Inside ♪ ♪ Nothing's impossible, child ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You think and think and think and think ♪ ♪ And think and think and think ♪ ♪ And think and think and think and think and think and think ♪ ♪ Just think ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Think and wonder and dream far and wide as you dare ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ When your thinks have run dry ♪ ♪ In the blink of an eye ♪ ♪ There's another think there ♪ ♪ If you open your mind ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you will find ♪ ♪ Lining up to get loose ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think when you think about ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Now is the time to seize the day ♪ ♪ Now is the time to seize the day ♪ ♪ Answer the call, and don't delay ♪ ♪ Answer the call, and don't delay ♪ ♪ Wrongs will be righted, if we're united ♪ ♪ Let us seize the day ♪ ♪ Houston to Harlem ♪ ♪ Look what's begun ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Nothing can break us, no one can make us ♪ ♪ Quit before we're done ♪ ♪ One for all and all for one ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ La Vie Bohème ♪ ♪ La Vie Bohème ♪ ♪ To days of inspiration, playing hooky ♪ ♪ Making something out of nothing ♪ ♪ La Vie Bohème ♪ ♪ The need to express, to communicate ♪ ♪ To going against the grain ♪ ♪ Going insane, going mad ♪ ♪ La Vie Bohème ♪ ♪ To music ♪ ♪ Food of love, emotion ♪ ♪ Mathematics, isolation ♪ ♪ Rhythm, power, feeling, harmony, and heavy competition ♪ ♪ Anarchy, revolution, justice, screaming for solutions ♪ ♪ Forcing changes, risk, and danger ♪ ♪ Making noise and making pleas ♪ ♪ To being an “us,” for once, instead of a “them” ♪ ♪ La Vie Bohème ♪ ♪ To anyone out of the mainstream ♪ ♪ La Vie Bohème ♪ ♪ Is anyone in the mainstream?

♪ ♪ La Vie Bohème ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Viva La Vie Bohème!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Tonight, let's misbehave ♪ ♪ Where's the party, and can you take me there?

♪ ♪ And when the party's over ♪ ♪ Can we find another party somewhere?

♪ ♪ We live for today, we pay off the cops ♪ ♪ And when you think the party stops ♪ ♪ The party's roarin' on ♪ ♪ The party's roarin' on ♪ ♪ Oh, we go on and on and on and on ♪ ♪ And on and on and on ♪ ♪ Ya see, nothin' 'round here's ever quite what it appears ♪ ♪ If it wasn't, then I wouldn't have a bus'ness ♪ ♪ Listen, you seem like a bright young lad ♪ ♪ Yes, it's true you've been duped ♪ ♪ But you shouldn't feel bad ♪ ♪ How can we give 'em what they came for?

♪ ♪ Lies, lies, lies ♪ ♪ And for the people who can pay more?

♪ ♪ Lies, lies, lies ♪ ♪ Lies, lies, lies, lies ♪ ♪ No, nothin' is quite what it seems ♪ ♪ Lies, lies, lies, lies ♪ ♪ The lion has got no teeth ♪ ♪ So, get outta my way ♪ ♪ Find somebody else who gives a fig what you say ♪ ♪ Go discipline someone other ♪ ♪ Last time I checked, you were not my mother ♪ ♪ You know who tells me stop?

♪ ♪ Lies, lies, lies ♪ ♪ You know who tells me you don't have what it takes ♪ ♪ And you will never reach the top?

♪ ♪ Nobody, nobody ♪ ♪ No, no, no ♪ ♪ Nobody-y-y-y-y-y-y ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ The sunrise is me, the sea and the shore ♪ ♪ The sigh of the wind and the dim, blue stars ♪ ♪ One turn of the key, the garden door ♪ ♪ The flowers and leaves chanting who we are ♪ ♪ And we're rising up ♪ ♪ We will rise beyond what's gone ♪ ♪ Slow the night and hold the dawn ♪ ♪ Rise, slow the dawn ♪ ♪ In a world where we belong ♪ ♪ We belong ♪ ♪ The key is the key within you ♪ [ All vocalizing ] ♪♪ ♪ Something has changed within me ♪ ♪ Something is not the same ♪ ♪ I'm through with playing by ♪ ♪ The rules of someone else's game ♪ ♪ Too late for second guessing ♪ ♪ Too late to go back to sleep ♪ ♪ I think I'll try defying gravity ♪ ♪ And you can't bring me down ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Dancing through life, skimming the surface ♪ ♪ Gliding where turf is smooth ♪ ♪ Woes are fleeting, blows are glancing ♪ ♪ When you're dancing ♪ ♪ When you're dancing ♪ [ Cheers ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm flying high, defying gravity ♪ ♪ Dancing through life, mindless and careless ♪ ♪ Kiss me goodbye, defying gravity ♪ ♪ With more awareness, it's easy to do ♪ ♪ Tell them how I'm defying gravity ♪ ♪ Nothing matters, nothing matters ♪ ♪ Both you and I, defying gravity ♪ ♪ It's just life ♪ ♪ And you can't bring me down ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ You can't bring me down ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Whoo!

Amazing, you guys.

Wow.

Mm-hmm.

The talent in Iowa is unreal.

Broadway will take them all.

Okay?

Alright, are you guys ready?

Okay, this is exciting.

Our first Triple Threat Award recipient and Jimmy Awards representative is... ...Natalie Sierk from North Scott High School.

[ Cheers and applause ] Hey.

Come on up.

Where is she?

Yes.

Congrats.

Oh.

Alright.

Amazing.

Whoo!

[ Speaks indistinctly ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Chuckles ] Whoo!

That's amazing.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Chuckles ] Wow.

Alright, let's keep it going.

Our second Triple Threat Award recipient and Jimmy Awards representative is... ...Jackson Baker from Nevada High School.

Oh!

[ Grunts ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Chuckles ] Let's go.

Whoo-whoo-whoo!

Congrats.

Congrats, man.

You'll have to go that way.

Yes.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Amazing.

Amazing.

[ Chuckles ] Alright.

As part of the Triple Threat Award program, students were invited to audition for several opportunities to continue their training.

We would like to announce the four students selected to receive full-tuition scholarships to Des Moines Performing Arts Broadway intensive camp.

Yeah.

They are...

Here we go.

...Milliana Jimenez from Davenport North High School.

Yes.

Come on in.

Congrats.

Congrats.

Have you stand right there.

[ Cheers and applause ] Ryenne Lacher from North Scott High School.

Yes.

[ Cheers and applause ] Yay.

Congrats.

Congrats.

Have you stand right here.

Yes.

[ Chuckles ] Stephen Fisher Jr. from Southeast Valley High School.

Yes.

Come on down.

Come on down.

[ Cheers and applause ] Congrats.

Congrats.

Congrats.

[ Chuckles ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] And our fourth scholarship will go to Brady Meyers from Indianola High School.

[ Cheers and applause ] Hey.

[ Chuckles ] Congrats, man.

Congrats.

Amazing.

Let's hear it for them.

Let's go.

We got some scholarships.

[ Chuckles ] [ Cheers and applause ] I also have had the fortune to be a former participant of the Broadway intensive camp, and I know the skills and knowledge that each of you are going to gain through working with the Broadway faculty that week will last you a lifetime.

Congratulations.

[ Cheers and applause ] We are going to ask our nominees to now exit the stage.

Thank you.

Let's give them a hand, though.

Triple Threat Award recipients.

Let's go.

Good job.

Good job.

[ Chuckles ] [ Cheers and applause ] Last but certainly not least, we also owe so much to the amazing dedication of our state's fantastic theater educators and high school directors.

Let's give them the biggest round of applause.

Yeah, yeah.

[ Cheers and applause ] So special.

We have one more exciting medley to close our evening, but first, our Triple Threat Award recipients will join us for special encore performances.

Take it away.

Come on.

Announcer: Please welcome Jackson Baker, recognized for the role of Jack Kelly in Disney's "Newsies" at Nevada High School.

For tonight's encore... [ Cheers and applause ] ...Jackson will perform "Almost Like Being in Love" from "Brigadoon."

Girl: [ Shouts indistinctly ] Whoo!

[ Laughter ] ♪ What a day this has been ♪ ♪ What a rare mood I'm in ♪ ♪ Why, it's almost like being in love ♪ ♪ There's a smile on my face ♪ ♪ For the whole human race ♪ ♪ Why, it's almost like being in love ♪ ♪ Hoo!

All the music of life seems to be ♪ ♪ Like a bell that is ringing for me ♪ [ Gasps ] ♪ And from the way that I feel ♪ ♪ When that bell starts to peal ♪ ♪ I would swear I was falling ♪ ♪ I could swear I was falling ♪ ♪ It's all almost like being in ♪ ♪ Lo-o-o-o-o-o-ve ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: Please welcome Natalie Sierk, recognized for the role of Doralee Rhodes in "9 to 5" at North Scott High School.

For tonight's encore, Natalie will perform "Screw Loose" from "Crybaby."

[ Cheers ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Darling ♪ ♪ It's so-o-o-o ♪ ♪ Hard to be 16 and schizo ♪ ♪ But I know it's worth the cost ♪ ♪ I made up my mind, which I have lo-o-o-o-st ♪ ♪ Screw loose ♪ ♪ Clinically certified ♪ ♪ A panel of doctors try to lock me away ♪ ♪ But until that day ♪ When they finally do-o-o-o ♪ I know, I know, I know.

Just give me a minute.

Oh, gosh.

Gosh.

[ Chuckles ] ♪ I'll be here ♪ ♪ If you need ♪ ♪ A loose screw ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: Please welcome student representatives from across the state for one last grand finale.

One, two!

A-one, two, three, four!

♪ Come on, ev'rybody, and snap your fingers now ♪ ♪ Come on, ev'rybody, and clap your hands real loud ♪ ♪ Come on, ev'rybody, take a real deep breath ♪ ♪ And repeat after me ♪ ♪ I love-a my baby ♪ ♪ Love-a my baby, love-a my baby ♪ ♪ Love-a my baby ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey, and my baby loves me ♪ ♪ My baby loves me ♪ ♪ Well, there ain't nothin' wrong with a long hair music ♪ ♪ Like Brahms, Beethoven, and Bach ♪ ♪ But I was raised with a guitar in my hand ♪ ♪ And I was born to rock, yeah ♪ ♪ Come on, ev'rybody, and turn your head to the left ♪ ♪ Come on, ev'rybody, and turn your head to the right ♪ ♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa ♪ ♪ Come on, ev'rybody, take a real deep breath ♪ ♪ And repeat after me ♪ ♪ I love-a my baby ♪ ♪ I love-a my baby ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey ♪ ♪ And my baby loves me ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Burn, baby, burn ♪ ♪ Burn, baby, burn ♪ ♪ To my surprise ♪ ♪ Listen, 100 stories high ♪ ♪ People gettin' loose, y'all ♪ ♪ They're gettin' down on the roof ♪ ♪ Satisfaction ♪ ♪ Doo-doo-doo ♪ ♪ Came in a chain reaction ♪ ♪ Burnin' ♪ ♪ I couldn't get enough ♪ ♪ No ♪ ♪ So I had to self-destruct ♪ ♪ I heard somebody say ♪ ♪ Burn, baby, burn ♪ ♪ Disco inferno ♪ ♪ Burn, baby, burn ♪ ♪ Burn that mutha down ♪ ♪ Burn, baby, burn ♪ ♪ Disco inferno ♪ ♪ Burn, baby, burn ♪ ♪ Burn that mutha down ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Girl, we've been meant for this ♪ ♪ Since we were born ♪ ♪ Since we were born ♪ ♪ No problems now, the coast is clear ♪ ♪ It's just the calm before the storm ♪ ♪ This must be just like livin' in paradise ♪ ♪ Just like paradise ♪ ♪ And I don't wanna go home ♪ ♪ And I ain't never goin' home ♪ Des Moines, are you ready to rock?

I can't hear you.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Don't need nothin' but a good time ♪ ♪ How can I resist?

♪ ♪ Ain't lookin' for nothin' but a good time ♪ ♪ And it don't get better than this ♪ ♪ All you people, can't you see, can't you see ♪ ♪ How your love's affecting our reality?

♪ ♪ Ev'rytime we're down, you can make it right, ♪ ♪ And that makes you larger than ♪ ♪ I may run and hide when you're screamin' my name, alright ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ But let me tell you now, there are prices to fame, alright ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ All of our time spent ♪ ♪ In flashes of li-i-i-ight ♪ ♪ All you people, can't you see, can't you see ♪ ♪ How your love's affecting our reality?

♪ ♪ Ev'rytime we're down, you can make it right ♪ ♪ And that makes you larger ♪ ♪ That makes you larger ♪ ♪ That makes you larger ♪ ♪ Larger than life ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Announcer: Funding for this program is provided by... ...supporting programming for citizenship, education, and the arts.

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