From the IHSMTA website:
The year-long program consists of three main components.
Learning Opportunities
Throughout the school year, workshops led by theater professionals help students grow. While some sessions focus on performance skills, others focus on technical areas such as lighting design, scenic design, and stage management. Many opportunities connect students directly with Broadway professionals.
Professional Review
Select participating musical productions receive a professional review. Panels of performing arts educators and professionals (adjudicators) attend exhibiting schools' musicals and provide feedback on individual actors' performances, orchestra, set, lighting, costumes, and more. Teachers and students use these insights to make their next show even stronger. Schools participating year over year have seen dramatic transformations in skill, student enthusiasm, and community support.
Awards Showcase & Recognitions
The year culminates in a professionally produced Awards Showcase celebrating student achievement at the Des Moines Civic Center.
Production Awards
Outstanding Musical Production
Outstanding Ensemble
Student Awards
Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role - Ryenne Lacher as “Judy Bernly”
Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role - Natalie Sierk as “Doralee Rhodes”
Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role - Isaiah Serrano as “Franklin Hart, Jr.”
Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role - Gabrielle Andersen as “Roz Keith”
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-The-Scenes Role - Gabrielle Andersen, Riley Johnson, Kaitlyn Knepper, Addyson Yanke for Business
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-The-Scenes Role - Haidyn Koberg & Emma Zrostlik for Props & Scenic
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-The-Scenes Role - Aiden Kelsey for Lighting Design
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-The-Scenes Role - Madilyn Brus for Stage Management
Outstanding Recognition for Community Engagement: Women’s Empowerment
Special Recognition
Special Recognition in a Principal Role - Keegan Panther as “Joe”
Special Recognition in a Principal Role - Lauren Pawloski as “Violet Newstead”
Special Recognition in a Behind-The-Scenes Role - Kyla Stone for Choreography
Special Recognition in a Behind-The-Scenes Role - Eva Wyatt for Costume Design
Additional Honors
Triple Threat Nominee - Ryenne Lacher
Triple Threat Nominee - Natalie Sierk
IHSMTA Technical Theater Scholarship Recipient - Gabrielle Andersen for Makeup Design
IHSMTA Technical Theater Scholarship Recipient - Aiden Kelsey for Lighting Design
Ceremony Honors
Ryenne Lacher - Broadway Intensive Scholarship Recipient
Natalie Sierk - 2025 IHSMTA Triple Threat Winner
Production Awards
Outstanding Musical Production
Outstanding Ensemble
Community Engagement
Student Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Hannah Noonan as "Belle"
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Maddux Lamb as "Lumiere"
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-the-Scenes Role – Sound - Abby Harrison and Kaitlyn Knepper
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-the-Scenes Role – Stage Management - Madilyn Brus, Taylor Crain, Hannah Nelson
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-the-Scenes Role – Properties Management - Haidyn Koberg
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-the-Scenes Role – Makeup Design - Gabrielle Andersen and Nora Glover
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-the-Scenes Role – Scenic Design - Nora Glover and Riley Johnson
Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-the-Scenes Role – Business - Gabrielle Andersen, Nora Glover, Kaitlyn Knepper, Eva Lubben, and Charlotte Madden
Special Recognition
Student Orchestra
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Thomas McCarthy as "Beast"
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Amber Bauswell as "Mrs. Potts"
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Caleb Strom as "LeFou"
Additional Honors
Triple Threat Nominee - Hannah Noonan
Triple Threat Nominee - Maddux Lamb
Production Awards
Outstanding Production
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Student Orchestra
Student Awards
Outstanding: Behind the Scenes - Creative Team
(Lighting, costuming, hair, and makeup)
Outstanding: Behind the Scenes - Public Relations Team
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role: Chloe Schwab as Reno Sweeney
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role: Thomas McCarthy as Lord Evelyn Oakley
Special Recognition
Special Recognition in a Principal Role: Keaton Braack as Billy Crocker
Special Recognition in a Principal Role: Grace Hamann as Erma
Special Recognition in a Principal Role: Michael Kintigh as Elijah Whitney
Special Recognition in a Principal Role: Hannah Noonan as Hope Harcourt
Special Recognition in a Principal Role: Isaiah Serrano as Moonface Martin
Impact Awards
Tom Goodall
Stacie Kintigh
Additional Honors
Triple Threat Nominee - Chloe Schwab
Triple Threat Nominee - Thomas McCarthy
Production Awards
Distinguished Scene – “When I Grow Up”
Student Awards
Outstanding Achievement – Public Relations Team
Special Recognition
Special Recognition for Ensemble
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Grace Hamann as “Lavender”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Hannah Noonan as “Matilda”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Chloe Schwab as “Mrs. Wormwood”
Special Recognition for Featured Dancer – Chloe Schwab
Special Recognition for Creative Team
Special Recognition for Technical Team
Production Awards
Outstanding Musical Production
Outstanding Ensemble
Student Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Elena Kook as “Mal”
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Tara Poinsett as “Malificent”
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Owen Popelka as “Ben”
Special Recognition
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Cooper Frank as “Carlos”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Hannah Noonan as “Evie”
Production Awards
Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement
Outstanding Ensemble
Student Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Grace Sampson as "Jojo"
Special Recognition
Special Recognition for Student Orchestra
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Gordy Field as "Horton The Elephant"