PAC awards show makes theater dreams a reality

APPLETON - The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center looked quiet from the outside on Saturday afternoon, but inside it was abuzz with hip-popping excitement.

"They were really nervous before rehearsal started but now that they're experiencing it, they just keep pinching themselves to make sure it's real," Tracy Bauer, director of theater productions at Mishicot High School, said of the students practicing in the nearby theater under the tutelage of an award-winning director. "They love it. They love it; it's a dream come true for them."

The students from 14 local high schools were busy perfecting the song and dance to "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the musical "Hairspray"  in preparation for Saturday evening's Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards showcase.

The first-time event is like the Tony Awards for Fox Valley high school students, complete with a red carpet, a chance for theater students to take a well-deserved bow.

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Saturday marked the culmination of the first-year educational initiative at the downtown Appleton arts center, one that gave students the opportunity to attend six workshops with professional touring artists over the past nine months.

Adjudicators attended each school's musical production and gave feedback that Bauer said helped her school's theater program improve. They also voted for the recipients of the Center Stage Awards, and the top four were nominated to represent their schools at Saturday's showcase.

All but two nominees were previously announced and each was recognized with an award Saturday evening.

It was a formal affair at the pristine arts center, with students, their families and instructors dressed to the nines for an event that featured musical numbers mixed in among trophy presentations and the much-anticipated announcements for the program's top two awards.

Numerous students performed, including from the four schools that won for Outstanding Musical Theater Production awards.

But two surprises remained as they rehearsed before the showcase — who would win Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress and Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor?

The evening culminated with Green Bay West High School’s Liz Valentin and Green Bay Southwest High School’s Felix Torrez taking home those awards. They were nominated for their leading performances — Valentin for her role as Doralee in "9 to 5" and Torrez for his role as Beast in "Beauty and the Beast" — and selected for the award through a separate audition process.

The pair will represent the program in New York City in June and their week-long stay will include coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals. It culminates in a June 26 showcase on Broadway known as the Jimmy Awards, which will be held at the Minskoff Theatre, the current home to Broadway's "The Lion King." That night, judges will crown the top performers in the country.

But well before they knew who was headed out east, the students focused their attention on the night's show.

As Saturday's dress rehearsal began, award-winning director, actor, composer and writer David F. M. Vaughn led the students through the choreography for the night's opening number on stage at the PAC. He stood in front of them, occasionally leading the dancing, and at other times standing back, watching and coaching the students.

It was an exciting opportunity for Mishicot High School junior Riley Seib, 16​. Her director chose her to be part of the opening and closing numbers Saturday.

"I've never performed at such a professional theater before," she said.

She was looking forward to the evening's red carpet experience —  one she doubts she'll ever forget.

Seib attended the workshops, which covered everything from vocal health to acting to voice acting. She's learned about how to present herself at an audition and how to work with others. But the lesson she deemed most important was that theater and the arts can offer a career.

"Time and time again people hear, 'Oh, you can't go into theater or arts because it's just not a promising career, it's just not a secure job to go into,'" she said. "But coming here and seeing these people who have done that for a profession, and they're making careers out of it, it's really inspiring."

Alison Dirr: 920-996-7266 or adirr@gannett.com; on Twitter @AlisonDirr

The 2016-17 Center Stage High School Musical Theater Award winners

PARTICIPATING HIGH SCHOOLS

Appleton East, Berlin, Chilton, Fox Valley Lutheran, Green Bay Preble, Green Bay Southwest, Green Bay West, Hortonville, Kimberly, Luxemburg-Casco, Neenah, Oshkosh North and St. Mary Catholic. 

Announced Saturday night were the winners in the categories of Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor and Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress. The two winners were selected through a separate audition process and will represent the Center Stage program at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City.

Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor
Green Bay Southwest High School's Felix Torrez as Beast in "Beauty and the Beast"

Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress
Green Bay West High School's Liz Valentin as Doralee in "9 to 5"

Previously announced winners included:

Outstanding Musical Theater Production
Green Bay Preble High School, "Aida" 
Green Bay Southwest High School, "Beauty and the Beast"
Kimberly High School, "Urinetown"
Neenah High School, "Spamalot"

Outstanding Ensemble
Green Bay Preble High School, "Aida"
Green Bay Southwest High School, "Beauty and the Beast"
Kimberly High School, "Urinetown"
Neenah High School, "Spamalot" 

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor 
Green Bay Preble High School's Chase Heezen as Zoser in "Aida"
Kimberly High School's Will Wegner as Officer Lockstock in "Urinetown"
Luxemberg-Casco High School's Ethan Nimmer as Bud Frump in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
St. Mary High School's Brandon Wegner as Orin in "Little Shop of Horrors"

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress
Fox Valley Lutheran High School's Rebecca Heyer as Charlotte in "Cinderella" 
Green Bay Preble High School's Kylie Medenwald as Nehebka in "Aida"
Green Bay Southwest High School's Diane Pokotylo as Babette in "Beauty and the Beast"
Kimberly High School's Sarah Engels as Little Sally in "Urinetown"

Community Engagement Award
Celebrating one outstanding school that connected their production back to their community.

Mishicot High School's "The Little Mermaid"

Outstanding Achievement Award
Celebrating a student who has triumphed and defied difficulties. 
Aliza Ramsey from Mishicot High School's "The Little Mermaid"

Backstage Spirit Award
Recognizing the individuals or crews who tirelessly contributed to the creation of seamless storytelling on stage.
Hortonville High School's "Once Upon a Mattress"