Shorewood Drama Grabs 13 Tommy Awards for 'Spring Awakening,' 'Godspell'

Building on its stamp as a "world-renowned" program, Shorewood Drama garnered 25 nominations and brought home 13 Tommy Awards for its productions of Spring Awakening and Godspell. 

Out of 14 nominations for the statewide honor, Shorewood High School's theater program received awards for its spring production Spring Awakening — a rock adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist play, which tells the story of 19th century German teenagers facing issues related to sexuality.

Shorewood Drama also fielded one award, from 10 nominations, for its winter musical Godspell. The musical by Stephen Schwartz is a modern account of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The relevant and powerful musical questions and analyzes everyday choices between right and wrong through song and dance. 

“I could not be more proud of the students for all of their hard work and dedication to the drama program,” SHS Drama Director Joe King said. “The shows performed throughout the 2012-2013 school year were challenging, but our students not only rose to the occasion, they excelled.”

The Tommy Awards program, run through the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, is an education initiative that honors and celebrates excellence in musical theater production among high school students.

As part of the program, a panel of educators, theater experts and industry professionals review the musicals of participating schools. Based on the reviewers’ comments, productions and individuals receive awards in specific categories. More than 50 schools and one community theater participated in the Tommy Awards program this year.

Read more about Shorewood Drama:

• Meet Joe King: New Shorewood Schools Drama Teacher
• 'Spring Awakening' Opens at SHS

King and company brought home awards for outstanding musical, director, set design, muscial director/orchestra, choreography among others. 

Student-actors won awards for outstanding lead performer, including Henry Cummings or his role as Melchoir, Martha Hellermann as Wendla and Story Sandy as Moritz in Spring Awakening. Connor Hopkins won a supporting performer award for playing Hanschen. 

Cummings was also named outstanding lead performer for his role as Jesus in Godspell.

“SHS has a long, rich history of drama and performing arts, and I am proud to work with Mr. King and all of our students to carry on this tradition,” said high school Principal Matt Joynt said.

Theater students will attend the 2013 Tommy Awards Ceremony on June 16 in Madison.

Here's a complete list of awards that Shorewood Drama was nominated for and won can be found below:

Spring Awakening Nominations:

Spring Awakening Awards:

Godspell Nominations:

Godspell Awards:

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