NTPA Students and Staff Receive 18 Broadway Dallas HSMTA Nominations
North Texas Performing Arts Academy Conservatory Receives 6 Nominations in First Year
North Texas Performing Arts proudly announces that its staff and students have been honored with 18 nominations in this year’s Broadway Dallas High School Music Theatre Awards. The NTPA Academy Conservatory received six nominations in its first year of eligibility for its production of Bonnie & Clyde.
The Broadway Dallas’ High School Musical Theatre Awards are open to any public, private, or charter high school serving grades 9-12 and recognize outstanding performers and programs in musical theatre programs across the North Texas region.
Leading NTPA’s nominations are its youth performers Evan Jennings nominated for “Outstanding Lead Performer” and Morgan Skinner for “Outstanding Supporting Performer,” both full-time students in the NTPA Academy. Youth technical support provided by Jacob Kaplan was nominated for “Outstanding Lighting Design.”
NTPA Academy instructors and Co-Directors Kameron Knott and Riley Madlock were recognized for “Outstanding Direction” and Assistant Head of School Riley Madlock and the cast recognized for “Outstanding Choreography.” Nominated for Outstanding Scenic Design was Wendy Searcy Wood and the NTPA Scenic Design Class.
In addition, 12 NTPA students were recognized for their outstanding performances in productions at their high school including Allison Crowe, Pierson Jones, Andrew Kitchen, Jacob Merschel, Alexis Muturi, and Corbin Ross for Outstanding Lead Performer; Emma Alexander, Madelyn Goodwin, Sanjna Kolli, Jaxon Ryan, and Audrey Shin for Outstanding Supporting Performer; and Whitney Wagstaff for Outstanding Featured Performer.
“We designed the NTPA Academy and its Conservatory curriculum to attract the best and most talented performers wanting to go on to college or into professional roles,” says NTPA’s Chief Executive Officer Darrell Rodenbaugh. “We couldn’t be more proud to see these talented actors and their instructors be recognized for the passionate work and amazing instruction they receive in our studios and stages.”
The NTPA Academy offers seven unique certifications that cover the entire breadth of a serious theatrical arts education with theatre and performing arts professionals instructing in a challenging and supportive learning environment to students in grades 6-12. The flexible scheduling enables students to participate in auditions, shows, commercials and other activities while they gain critical performance skills.
“The student talent in Bonnie and Clyde was exceptional, and really came alive with the exceptional direction of our directorial team,” says NTPA Head of School Mike Mazur, himself a performing arts professional with credits around the world and a graduate of the prestigious Tisch School at New York University (NYU). “This was a challenging production that this team brought to life in an exceptional way.”
NTPA’s Co-Director team brought special background and skills to this production. Doubling as the show’s Choreographer, Riley Madlock is an award-winning performer in her own right in dance and choreography after completing her Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Dance from New Mexico State University and a BA from Ouachita Baptist University. Co-Director Kameron Knott completed his BFA in Drama from the University of Oklahoma and came to NTPA as an instructor after a successful career on Broadway.
“We are honored to be eligible this year, and to be able to compete for this prestigious recognition,” says NTPA Director of Education Kaitlyn Barnard, “and are grateful to Broadway Dallas and its sponsors for supporting this incredible awards program.”
The outstanding honorees will be announced on June 3, 2023 at the 12th Annual Broadway Dallas HSMTA Awards Show.
