Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards

The Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards Showcase aims to create visibility and support for local high school musical theatre programs.  The Showcase is held each June at the Des Moines Performing Arts Civic Center.  Each year high school productions in the greater Des Moines area are reviewed over the course of the year by a panel of adjudicators that included performing arts professionals and educators.  

Below are the Musical Theatre Honors earned by the Pella Christian's musicals:

2025

Fiddler on the Roof

      > Outstanding Scene in a Musical - To Life

      > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Evan Tschetter (Tevye)

      > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Bella De Haan (Chava)

2024

Mary Poppins

       > Outstanding Musical Production

       > Outstanding Ensemble

       > Outstanding Community Engagement

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Abby Dart (Mary Poppins)

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Evan Tschetter (Bert)

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Mia Andringa (Mrs. Banks)

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Jenna Vande Zande (Jane)

       > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Breece Gibson (Miss Andrew)

       > Abby Dart, Evan Tschetter, Mia Andringa, Jenna Vande Zande nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

       > Impact Award for Theatre Teacher of the Year - Marlo Van Peursem, Director

2023

Cinderella

       > Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Avery Verhoef Stepsister, Joy)

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Abby Dart (Stepsister, Grace)

       > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Bridget Vande Zande (Cinderella)

       > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Trae Van Maanen (Prince)

       > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Jema Settles (Stepmother)

       > Special Recognition for Ensemble

       > Avery Verhoef and Abby Dart nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

2022

Pippin

       > Outstanding Musical Production

       > Outstanding Ensemble

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Trent Van Gilst (Pippin)

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Lauren Dunsbergen (Catherine)

       > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Abby Dart (Fastrada)

       > Outstanding Performance as Featured Dancers - Bridget Vande Zande and Avery Verhoef

       > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Marie Johnson (Leading Player)

       > Trent Van Gilst, Lauren Dunsbergen, and Abby Dart nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

2021

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

       > Outstanding Musical Production

       > Outstanding Ensemble

       > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Carson Breon (Joseph)

       > Special Recognition for Performance in a Featured Ensemble - Morgan Meinders, Angela Rooda, Alicia Van Kooten (Narrators) 

2020

Newsies

        > Outstanding Musical Production

        > Outstanding Ensemble

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Braden Meinders (Jack Kelly)

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Carson Breon (Crutchie)

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Jocelyn Gritters (Katherine)

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Halie Vermillion (Medda)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Mason Donelson (Race)

        > Outstanding Sound Design and Operation - Peter Larson

        > Braden Meinders, Carson Breon, Jocelyn Gritters and Halie Vermillion  nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

2019

Oklahoma!     

        > Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Tyler Egesdal (Will Parker)

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Jocelyn Gritters (Laurey)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Halie Vermillion (Ado Annie)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Peter Larson (Jud Fry)

        > Special Recognition for Cast Ensemble (Tap Dancing)

        > Tyler Egesdal and Jocelyn Gritters nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

2018

Les Misérables

        > Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Thomas Dykstra (Jean Valjean)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Mara Juffer (Cosette)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Colby De Vries (Thenardier)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Emma Stravers (Mme Thenardier)

2017

Peter Pan

        > Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - James Beyer (Peter Pan)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Ryan Howey (Smee)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Tyler Egesdal (Michael)

        > Special Recognition for Cast Ensemble

        > Jimmy Beyer nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

2016

West Side Story

        > Outstanding Musical Production

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Joel Larson (Tony)

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - James Beyer (Bernardo)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Kara Zondervan (Maria)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Supporting Role - Michael Vander Wal (Doc)

        > Outstanding Achievement for a Featured Ensemble - Jets in "Officer Krupke"

        > Joel Larson nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

2015

The Scarlet Pimpernel

        > Outstanding Scene in a Musical - Into the Fire

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Joel Larson (Chauvelin)

        > Special Recognition for a Featured Ensemble - The League

                 (Jonathan Beltman, Jimmy Beyer, Jacob Brouwer, Josh Fopma,

                 Derrick Jansen, Maverick Risley, Jordan Vande Kamp)

        > Special Recognition for Student Achievement in Sound - Jonathan Larson

2014

The Music Man

        > Outstanding Musical Ensemble

        > Outstanding Scene in a Musical - The opening Rock Island Train scene

        > Outstanding Achievement for a Featured Ensemble - Barbershop Quartet

                 (Justin Stravers, Matthew Rossler, Joel Larson, Josh Fopma)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Cory Van Gilst (Harold)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Supporting Role - Cali Beyer (Mrs. Paroo)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Supporting Role - Jordan Breon (Marcellus)

        > Special Recognition for Student Orchestra

        > Special Recognition for Restoration of the Wells Fargo stagecoach  

        > Cory Van Gilst and Jessi Vos, nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City

2013

Footloose

        > Outstanding Scene in a Musical -  The Gym scene,  I'm Free / Heaven Help Me

        > Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role - Cali Beyer (Ariel)

        > Special Recognition for Performance in a Leading Role - Nicholas Dahm (Ren)

        > Special Recognition for Student Achievement in Lighting Design - Sarah Fopma

        > Cali Beyer and Cory Van Gilst, nominated to audition as Iowa representatives for Nationals in New York City