Lackey David David
Lackey
The Dis covery Awards
14
Ma y / J u n e 2022 I N T E RMISSION
Northeast Oklahoma is absolutely overflowing with artistic talent. And that absolutely includes the many high school musical theatre programs throughout the region. When you have this much talent, you’re pretty much obligated to celebrate it. Luckily for us, the team at Celebrity Attractions helps us to do just that each year with The Discovery Awards. In order to bring together the best, professional arts adjudicators attend participating high school musicals and nominate the best performers from each production. This year, the first year of continuing the program after the pandemic put it on hold for two years, an incredible 19 schools are participating. In the spring, the chosen nominees spend a week in an incredible masterclass workshop led by award-winning creatives. They then cap off their week with a showcase competition on none other than the Chapman stage right here in the TPAC. This year’s ceremony is set to take place on Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m. With this number of schools participating, it is sure to be a night jam packed with talent. The overall best female and male performers chosen that night will win an all-expense paid trip to represent our region in New York City. Once there, they will participate in another weeklong masterclass workshop taught by industry leaders. Ultimately, they will compete on a Broadway stage, in front of Broadway producers and directors at the Jimmy Awards, otherwise known as the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, competing against students from all over the country. According to Jeremy Stevens, TPAC’s Director of Community Engagement: “The Discovery Awards celebrate the educational value, artistry and community of high school musical theatre in northeastern Oklahoma in true Tony Award fashion. And not only does it celebrate outstanding musical
