♪♪ Funding for this program is provided by Friends, the Iowa PBS Foundation, ACT Inc., the Daniel and Ann Krumm Charitable Trust, supporting programming for citizenship, education, and the arts.

Musco Lighting is honored to support Iowa PBS.

We're an Iowa company that lights local schools, community fields, and stadiums, arenas, and venues in more than 125 countries.

While our reach is global, our commitment is local.

And by the estate of Margaret I. Haupt of Cedar Rapids -- to foster cultural programming and classical music performances on Iowa PBS.

Announcer: Page three of your printed program to access the... ♪♪ From the Des Moines Civic Center, it's the 2026 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Join us ♪ ♪ Leave your fields to flower ♪ ♪ Join us ♪ ♪ Leave your cheese to sour ♪ ♪ Join us ♪ ♪ Come and waste an hour or two ♪ ♪ Doodleedoo ♪ ♪ Journey, journey to a spot ♪ ♪ Exciting, mystic and exotic ♪ ♪ Journey through our anecdotic revue ♪ ♪ We've got magic and magic to do just for you ♪ ♪ We've got miracle plays to play ♪ ♪ We've got parts to perform ♪ ♪ Hearts to warm ♪ ♪ Kings and things to take by storm ♪ ♪ As we go along our way ♪ ♪ I am an islander ♪ -♪ I am an islander ♪ -♪ Our way ♪ ♪ I'm an islander, I am an islander, I'm an islander ♪ ♪ You are here ♪ ♪ At the start of a moment ♪ ♪ On the edge of the world ♪ ♪ Where the river meets the sea ♪ ♪ Here, on the edge of the Atlantic ♪ ♪ On an island in between ♪ ♪ There and here ♪ -♪ Welcome to the Rock!

♪ -♪ I'm an islander... ♪ ♪ Welcome to the fog, welcome to the trees ♪ ♪ To the ocean and the sky and whatever's in between ♪ ♪ Welcome to the Rock!

♪ ♪ To the ones who've left, you're never truly gone ♪ ♪ A candle's in the window and the kettle's always on ♪ ♪ When the sun is comin' up and the world has gone ashore ♪ ♪ If you're hoping for a harbor ♪ ♪ Then you'll find an open door ♪ ♪ From the winter to the water through whatever's in the way ♪ ♪ To the ones who have come from away ♪ ♪ Welcome to the Rock!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Come follow the band ♪ ♪ Wherever it's at ♪ ♪ Let both of your feet keep time to the drum ♪ ♪ And let your heart go rat-a-tat-tat ♪ ♪ A flag in your hand ♪ ♪ A plume in your hat ♪ ♪ Battalions of brass pass and catch the light ♪ ♪ Is there a sight that's sweeter than that?

♪ ♪ See the pretty lady toss that baton high ♪ ♪ Ya-da-da-da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Ain't she cute as a daisy?

♪ ♪ Ya-da-da-da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Watch the fella with the big bass drum go by ♪ ♪ Ya-da-da-da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Ain't you glad that you stayed?

♪ ♪ Ya-da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Hear the tuba play that oom pah pah, oh, my ♪ ♪ Oom pah pah oom pah pah ♪ ♪ Ain't it driving you crazy?

♪ ♪ Oom pah pah oom pah pah ♪ ♪ Don't you be so darn lazy ♪ ♪ Oom pah pah oom pah pah ♪ ♪ Better hurry and join that big parade!

♪ -♪ Up outta your seat ♪ -♪ Up outta your seat ♪ -♪ Down offa the stand ♪ -♪ Down offa the stand ♪ ♪ Step out to the sweet beat the bugle plays ♪ ♪ A sound that you'll remember all your days ♪ ♪ And when you see the leader proudly raise his hand ♪ ♪ Come follow the band!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I want to make magic ♪ ♪ I want to breathe fire on the stage ♪ ♪ The corner to be on ♪ ♪ I want to make every single line ♪ ♪ Times Square ♪ ♪ Jump right off the page ♪ ♪ Under the neon ♪ -♪ I want to make magic ♪ -♪ For my finale ♪ ♪ I want to be bigger than I am ♪ ♪ I'll be doing my thing in Schubert Alley ♪ ♪ I want to make people really care ♪ ♪ Really give a ♪ ♪ They're gonna crown me the king of all New York ♪ ♪ Bring on tomorrow!

♪ ♪ Let it shine!

♪ ♪ Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day ♪ ♪ It's yours and mine!

♪ ♪ We can make a difference!

♪ ♪ It's not too late ♪ ♪ Bring on tomorrow ♪ ♪ We can't wait!

♪ -♪ Bring on tomorrow ♪ -♪ Bring on tomorrow ♪ ♪ We can't wait!

♪ ♪ We've got magic to do ♪ ♪ We're gonna make magic!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Myers: Across the state, high school students are bringing stories to life on stage, honing their craft, building teamwork and creating something bigger than themselves.

And behind the scenes, the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards is there to support and celebrate their journey.

Hillman: The growth of the program has been amazing to see, and it has positively impacted our drama program every year that we've participated.

It's encouraging students to have all sorts of experiences, not just for competition or for awards, but learning experiences.

Myers: Adjudication is the foundation of the program.

Theater professionals travel to schools to see and review their full productions, giving directors and students valuable feedback on how to grow and improve their craft.

It shows that we all have talent and that people are watching us and looking at us to give us feedback on how we do and to make us improve.

Waring: I've seen them radically shift from "I'm just here saying my lines and singing my songs" to "I'm out here and I am communicating this story line."

Myers: Hands-on workshops throughout the year in both performance and technical areas take students' learning even further.

Paulsen: We're given the chance to grow in a safe environment.

The teacher in the class is super supportive, and all the students are really uplifting to everyone else, and it's not an opportunity that I think a lot of students will get the chance to participate in.

Myers: The season culminates in a night like no other, with a year-end showcase on the Civic Center stage, featuring collaborative medleys directed by guest artists, performances from outstanding productions, and a spotlight on the dedication of students both on and off the stage.

It is an amazing night of community and celebration.

Our students love participating in the showcase.

They have been able to meet other students from other schools and work with world-class directors and artists.

A lot of them have been inspired to go on and continue performing at the collegiate level.

Chase: The value of this program is tremendous.

It validates what the teachers are doing.

It validates what the students are doing.

It tells them that what they are doing is worthwhile.

Announcer: Please welcome schools representing the Outstanding Musical Production category in our first ensemble medley -- Fort Dodge's "The Addams Family," Nevada's Disney's "The Little Mermaid," and Ogden's "Seussical."

♪♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You need to have a sense of humor ♪ Ha!

♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You need to have a taste for death ♪ ♪ Who care about the world outside ♪ ♪ And what it wants from you ♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You do what Addams always do ♪ ♪♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You need to grab a bow and arrow ♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You need a moment to explode ♪ ♪ Just pour a potion, flip the switch ♪ ♪ And wait 'til things get hot ♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You have to really stir the pot ♪ ♪ So give us shadows and give us gloom ♪ ♪ Broken glass in a motel room ♪ ♪ Something fun we can all exhume ♪ ♪ And give it all tonight ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Once torn asunder ♪ ♪ Down six feet under ♪ ♪ We get to gather here ♪ ♪ Dead for forever, bled from whatever ♪ ♪ Called now to reappear ♪ ♪ Every cadaver start the palaver ♪ ♪ Once in an Addams year ♪ ♪ Hold your decaying ♪ ♪ Hear what we're saying ♪ ♪ Time now to give a cheer ♪ Rigor mortis!

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ Death rattle!

[ All gasp ] ♪♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ That's right, when you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You have a very special duty ♪ ♪ Late night, out with the Addams!

♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ With one bite ♪ ♪ You're obligated to the clan ♪ ♪ It's family first and family last ♪ ♪ And family by and by ♪ ♪ When you're an Addams ♪ ♪ You do what Addams do or die!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Down here all the fish is happy ♪ ♪ As off through the waves they roll ♪ ♪ The fish on the land ain't happy ♪ ♪ They sad 'cause they in the bowl ♪ ♪ But fish in the bowl is lucky ♪ ♪ They in for a worser fate ♪ ♪ One day, when the boss get hungry ♪ ♪ Guess who gon' be on the plate ♪ ♪ Uh-oh ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Nobody beat us, fry us and eat us ♪ ♪ In fricassee ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ We what the land folks love to cook ♪ ♪ Under the sea, we off the hook ♪ ♪ We got no troubles, life is the bubbles ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Life is the bubbles under the sea ♪ ♪ Oh, under the sea ♪ -♪ Under the sea ♪ -♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Since life is sweet here ♪ ♪ We got the beat here naturally ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Even the sturgeon and the ray ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ ♪ They get the urge and start to play ♪ ♪ We got the spirit, you got to hear it ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ The newt play the flute, the carp play the harp ♪ ♪ The plaice play the bass, and they soundin' sharp ♪ ♪ The bass play the brass, the chub play the tub ♪ ♪ The fluke is the duke of soul ♪ ♪ The ray, he can play the lings on the strings ♪ ♪ The trout rockin' out, the blackfish, she sings ♪ ♪ The smelt and the sprat, they know where it's at ♪ ♪ And, oh, that blowfish blow!

♪ [ Whooping ] ♪♪ Hey!

Hey!

Whoo!

Hey!

Ooh, hey!

♪♪ -♪ Under the sea ♪ -♪ Under the sea ♪ -♪ Under the sea ♪ -♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ When the sardine begin the beguine ♪ -♪ It's music to me ♪ -♪ It's music to me ♪ ♪ What do they got, a lot of sand?

♪ ♪ We got a hot crustacean band ♪ ♪ Each little clam here know how to jam here ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Each little slug here cuttin' a rug here ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ ♪ Each little snail here know how to wail here ♪ ♪ That's why it's hotter under the water ♪ ♪ Ya, we in luck here down in the muck here ♪ ♪ Under the sea ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Seuss, Seuss, Seuss, Seuss, Seuss!

♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Any thinker who thinks ♪ ♪ Can come up with a few ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Think a trip on a ship ♪ ♪ To the Vipper of Vipp ♪ ♪ Or to Solla Sollew ♪ ♪ Think of beautiful schlopp ♪ ♪ With a cherry on top ♪ ♪ You don't need an excuse ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ ♪ Think of nobody here ♪ ♪ And the feeling of fear ♪ ♪ And the darkness of night ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ All alone in your room ♪ ♪ As you're facing your doom ♪ ♪ Think a glimmer of light ♪ ♪ Ah!

♪ ♪ But I hope you're prepared ♪ ♪ To be scareder than scared ♪ ♪ 'Cause this ain't Mother Goose ♪ ♪ Danger's right on the brink ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ ♪ Just think ♪ ♪ From the Planet of Who ♪ ♪ And the smallest of small ♪ ♪ To the Jungle of Nool ♪ ♪ And the largest of all ♪ ♪ You think and think and think and think and think ♪ ♪ And think and think and think and think and think ♪ ♪ And think and think and think!

♪ ♪ Just think!

♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think!

♪ ♪ Think and wonder and dream ♪ ♪ Far and wide as you dare!

♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think!

♪ ♪ When your thinks have run dry in the blink of an eye ♪ ♪ There's another think there ♪ ♪ If you open your mind ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you will find ♪ ♪ Lining up to get loose ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Oh, the think you can think ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ Seuss!

♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ Seuss!

♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ Seuss!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ Hello.

We're the students serving as the assistant stage managers for this year's Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase.

Throughout the week, we've been part of the team helping bring tonight's production together.

Kelsey: From tech rehearsals to tonight's live performance, we've been working alongside theater professionals to keep everything running smoothly -- calling cues, coordinating transitions, managing microphones, and making sure performers and presenters are ready to go.

Students recognized in the behind-the-scenes roles were invited to create short videos showcasing their work.

You can find all the videos online, and we're excited to share a few of them with you throughout our evening together.

This experience has given us an even greater appreciation for all the people whose work happens off stage.

Live theater depends on collaboration, communication, and countless creative and technical roles audiences may never see, but absolutely feel.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Hi, my name is Mariah, and I serve as Head of Marketing and Publicity for MFL MarMac's production of Disney's "High School Musical."

From day one, I built our "High School Musical" brand identity from scratch, designing every show graphic myself, and using school colors for a cohesive, recognizable look.

Once the branding was ready, I began promoting the show beyond the school.

I proposed a two-week takeover of the MFL MarMac Friends of the Arts account, scheduling posts for peak times and using polls, quizzes, cast spotlights, and throwbacks to build excitement.

That excitement showed in ticket sales.

Total ticket sales were up 25%.

Should everyone come see MFL MarMac's "High School Musical" this weekend?

Students: Yeah!

Moser: I am proud that my campaign didn't just advertise a show.

It strengthened an organization, celebrated students, and reminded the community why the arts matter.

Thank you for supporting student leaders and artists across Iowa.

Hansen: Over the course of our musical this year, I took on several jobs, including costume manager, set designer and painter, stage manager, as well as being an ensemble member.

I was largely responsible for handcrafting each piece of clothing Cinderella wore, spending most of my time from July leading up to November planning and testing ideas to make two separate transforming dresses.

As costume manager, I hand-made four dresses for Cinderella, a dress for Madame, altered and fixed multiple costumes for the main cast and ensemble, and was in charge of finding and organizing every costume.

For my role of stage manager, I took notes throughout each rehearsal for blocking, and created Google Sheets for organizing props, costume needs, and any small requests the directors made.

Ss set designer and painter, I planned the artistic aspects for the final product of the small set pieces and large upstage set.

I hand-painted each cobblestone and scenery area to create the perfect fairy tale scene throughout the show.

Throughout this experience, I enhanced my organizational skills and grew my ability to be a problem solver with hard work and dedication.

Hanson: Hi, my name is Jace Hanson, and I was the sound technician for Creston High School's 2025 production of "Guys and Dolls."

There are a number of different items that go into amplifying the sound of a show, including cords and microphones.

A problem that we ran into this year was microphones cutting in and out.

It was my duty to help investigate why this issue was occurring and how we could stop it.

It was through this process I found the antenna connecting the microphone and the body pack had come loose.

While the goal is to have a perfect show with no hiccups, unfortunately, they are bound to happen.

Being able to pivot and find solutions quickly is what creates a good show.

This year, I had a chance to learn how to use gates and frequencies.

Within this, I had to make sure breathing inside conversations during the scenes in Havana were muted.

Outside of mic'ing actors and actresses, I was also in charge of sound effects.

To find and organize them, I use QLab.

I would like to thank my fellow tech crew members, especially our stage managers, as they help solve any problem with the mics during the show.

I'm also grateful for the cast, as they were easy to work with, and looking forward to next year's show.

Bradley: For our production of "Newsies," my aim was to blend choreography that honored the original work while remaining accessible to all performers.

In carrying the banner, the focus was on showcasing each performer's strengths through high energy movement, inspired by the original Broadway choreography adapted for high school performers.

As the show progresses, shifts in mood, especially prevalent in "The World Will Know," reflect changing power dynamics expressed through strong character-driven movement.

To alleviate some of the workload of the cast, I set up extra clinic times outside of rehearsal for students to find me during the day to help them with any part of the show, regardless of whether or not I choreographed it.

Ultimately, the goals throughout this production were not just to put on an incredible show, but to support students through a stressful process and cultivate a healthy environment for growth in theater, where students can learn how to be confident in themselves.

[ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: Please welcome performers representing the Outstanding Principal Role category in our first spotlight medley.

♪♪ ♪ There's a princess, any princess ♪ ♪ Take your pick, they're all like me ♪ ♪ Not exactly, I'm still waiting ♪ ♪ They're out living happily ♪ ♪ Ever after better get here ♪ ♪ I want love in seconds flat ♪ ♪ No one needs these middle bits ♪ ♪ Whoops, did I do that?

♪ ♪ Cut the villains, cut the vamping ♪ ♪ Cut this fairy tale ♪ ♪ Cut the peril and the pitfalls ♪ ♪ Cut the puppet and the whale ♪ ♪ Cut the monsters, cut the curses ♪ ♪ Keep the intro, cut the verses ♪ ♪ And the waiting, the waiting ♪ ♪ The waiting, the waiting ♪ ♪ The waiting ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Wonder of wonders ♪ ♪ Miracle of miracles ♪ ♪ I was afraid that God would frown ♪ ♪ But like he did so long ago in Jericho ♪ ♪ God just made a wall fall down ♪ ♪ When Moses softened Pharaoh's heart ♪ ♪ That was a miracle ♪ ♪ When God made the waters of the Red Sea part ♪ ♪ That was a miracle, too ♪ ♪ But of all God's miracles large and small ♪ ♪ The most miraculous one of all ♪ ♪ Is that out of a worthless lump of clay ♪ ♪ God has made a man today ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ See, everyone prays for salvation ♪ ♪ I'm happy to give them the tools ♪ ♪ The struggle is, here's my frustration ♪ ♪ Nobody wants to have rules ♪ ♪ So Heaven help me with my labors ♪ ♪ How can you expect one man ♪ ♪ To save his family and his neighbors?

♪ ♪ Heaven help me ♪ ♪ Oh, Heaven help me ♪ ♪ If Heaven can't ♪ ♪ Who can?

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Flowers ♪ ♪ I remember fields of flowers ♪ ♪ Soft beneath my heels ♪ ♪ Walking in the sun ♪ ♪ I remember someone ♪ ♪ Someone by my side ♪ ♪ Turned his face to mine ♪ ♪ And then I turned away into the shade ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ You, the one I left behind ♪ ♪ If you ever walk this way ♪ ♪ Come and find me ♪ ♪ Lying in the bed I made ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Now, there you are ♪ ♪ Yes, there's that face ♪ ♪ That face that somehow I trust ♪ ♪ It may embarrass you to hear me say it ♪ ♪ But say it I must ♪ ♪ Say it I must!

♪ ♪ You have the cool, clear eyes ♪ ♪ Of a seeker of wisdom and truth ♪ ♪ Yet there's that upturned chin ♪ ♪ And the grin of impetuous youth ♪ ♪ Oh, I believe in you ♪ ♪ I believe in you ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I could stab my arm myself ♪ ♪ Could rip my tonsils out ♪ ♪ Could set my hair aflame ♪ ♪ I could spray my eyes with mace ♪ ♪ But face the fact ♪ ♪ Without her, it wouldn't be the same ♪ ♪ Wednesday will drink and then ♪ ♪ She'll be herself again ♪ ♪ Lucas will leave her be ♪ ♪ So she can torture me ♪ ♪ Just like she always did ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Whoa!

♪ Is that my name up on that list?

♪ ♪ Does someone know that I exist?

♪ ♪ Is this a mistake?

♪ ♪ Am I even awake?

♪ ♪ Pinch me now to make sure ♪ ♪ Ow!

Yes, that's my name in black and white!

♪ ♪ I must be doing something right ♪ ♪ Wow!

I feel so much better than before ♪ ♪ I'll be there on Monday, nine o'clock ♪ ♪ Then we will see who walks the walk ♪ ♪ No, no I can't wait!

♪ ♪ I will be there at eight ♪ ♪ When they unlock the door ♪ ♪ Oh!

Oh!

I'll even dress in black and white ♪ ♪ See, I have not begun to fight!

♪ ♪ And then, you'll go, "Much better" ♪ ♪ "Much better" ♪ ♪ And soon all y'all gonna know much better ♪ ♪ I am so much better ♪ ♪ I am so much better ♪ ♪ I am so much better ♪ ♪ Than before!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: Please welcome the casts of Decorah's "Chicago," Iowa City West's "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder," and Iowa City High's Disney's "Frozen."

Man: Five, six, seven, eight.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Come on, babe, why don't we paint the town?

♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ I'm gonna rouge my knees ♪ ♪ And roll my stockings down ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ Start the car ♪ ♪ I know a whoopee spot ♪ ♪ Where the gin is cold ♪ ♪ But the piano's hot ♪ ♪ It's just a noisy hall ♪ ♪ Where there's a nightly brawl ♪ ♪ And all that... ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ ♪ Find a flask, we're playing fast and loose ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ Right up here is where I store the juice ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ Come on, babe, we're gonna brush the sky ♪ ♪ I betcha lucky Lindy never flew so high ♪ ♪ 'Cause in the stratosphere, how could he lend an ear ♪ ♪ To all that jazz?

♪ ♪♪ ♪ Come on, babe, why don't we paint the town ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ Start the car, I know a whoopee spot ♪ ♪ Where the gin is cold but the piano's hot ♪ ♪ It's just a noisy hall where there's a nightly brawl ♪ ♪ And all that... ♪ ♪♪ ♪ No, I'm no one's wife, but... ♪ ♪ Oh, I love my life ♪ ♪ And all that ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ ♪ That jazz ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Wailing ] Uh... ♪ Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ What grisly sort of plague is going round?

♪ ♪ It seems with ev'ry day ♪ ♪ A D'Ysquith slips away ♪ ♪ And here we are, assembled ♪ ♪ Putting another one in the ground ♪ ♪ It's frankly all been rather mystifying ♪ ♪ Do forgive me if I scoff ♪ ♪ But is it not a trifle odd ♪ ♪ How they've all gone off to God?

♪ ♪ Suddenly, they're congregating underneath the sod!

♪ ♪ Oh, why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ What a tasteless way of showing off ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ It seems that all of London's shaken to the core ♪ ♪ To lose one relative ♪ ♪ One can certainly forgive ♪ ♪ But how can you excuse losing two ♪ ♪ Or three ♪ ♪ Or four ♪ ♪ Or seven ♪ ♪ Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ I've never seen such recklessness before ♪ ♪ It's unnerving ♪ ♪ It's not that they're not undeserving ♪ ♪ It's not that they're not undeserving ♪ ♪ I never liked them much, I must confess ♪ ♪ In fairness, you must admit at least ♪ ♪ It's a shame about the priest ♪ ♪ I can't imagine missing someone less!

♪ ♪ But, really, why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ When truth to tell, so many others should ♪ ♪ Though privately it was said ♪ ♪ They should all drop dead ♪ ♪ No one thought they ever really would ♪ ♪ I happened to notice there wasn't a lot of crying ♪ ♪ I even heard a snigger from the back ♪ ♪ Oh, it really is a shame ♪ ♪ How they start to feel the same ♪ ♪ How many are there left to bury ♪ ♪ After what's his name?

♪ ♪ I ask you why ♪ ♪ Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ Why are the D'Ysquiths dying?

♪ ♪ Whoever's next, I swear I won't come back ♪ ♪ I'm utterly exhausted keeping track ♪ ♪ And most of all, I'm sick of wearing black ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ And born of cold and winter air ♪ ♪ The storm inside her grew ♪ ♪ Ah, oh, ah, oh ♪ ♪ Nothing could contain ♪ ♪ The tempest in her brain ♪ ♪ And the storm raged on ♪ ♪ And they were ravaged by the wrath of snow ♪ ♪ And the wind blew fear ♪ ♪ And the storm would grow ♪ ♪ Colder by the minute ♪ ♪ Colder by the minute ♪ ♪ Keep walking, Anna, don't stop, don't rest ♪ ♪ He's out here somewhere ♪ ♪ I can feel the ice in my chest ♪ ♪ In my heart, I don't care ♪ ♪ I've got to make it through the storm somehow ♪ ♪ Because the one thing that can save me now ♪ ♪ Is your love ♪ ♪ Anna ♪ ♪ True love ♪ ♪ Where are you?

♪ ♪ Colder by the minute ♪ ♪ Colder by the minute ♪ ♪ Can't run, can't stop, can't breathe ♪ ♪ Can't live, and I can't die ♪ ♪ Elsa, listen ♪ ♪ Can't hope to fix this mess ♪ ♪ Yet somehow still I have to try ♪ ♪ Please surrender ♪ ♪ Conceal, don't feel, don't feel ♪ ♪ Get back into the cage ♪ ♪ End this winter ♪ ♪ I've unleashed a monster ♪ ♪ I cannot stop the monster ♪ ♪ No harm will come to you ♪ ♪ And the north wind howled ♪ ♪ And they were trapped within the walls of white ♪ ♪ Don't give into the ice ♪ ♪ Anna ♪ ♪ Don't give into the cold ♪ ♪ If you can hear my voice ♪ ♪ Hold on ♪ ♪ True love, Anna ♪ -♪ I can't!

♪ -♪ Elsa!

♪ ♪ And the storm raged on ♪ ♪ And nature tore the world apart!

♪ ♪ And all was lost ♪ ♪ To the frozen heart ♪ ♪ Kristoff ♪ ♪ Anna ♪ ♪ Monster ♪ ♪ Elsa ♪ ♪ Colder by the minute ♪ ♪ Colder by the minute ♪ ♪ And the wind blew soft ♪ ♪ And in her grief ♪ ♪ The storm stood still ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: The 2026 Outstanding Overall Performance Awards are presented to the following schools in recognition of their high-achieving performance elements.

Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center brought a clear, cohesive rendition of "The Addams Family" to the stage.

A committed ensemble and professional-caliber orchestra infused each darkly comedic scene with character, style, and energy.

Ankeny Centennial created a layered story in "Big Fish: School Edition" through seamless transitions, impressive musical ability, and focused performers tackling a wide variety of roles.

The production balanced fantastical storytelling with grounded moments of tenderness.

Clear Creek Amana transported audiences to 1950s New York City in "Guys and Dolls" through sustained energy, sharp choreography, and strong character movement.

Musical phrasing, harmonies, and clear character work made the lighthearted world feel fully inhabited.

In "The Prince of Egypt," Gilbert used flowing interpretive choreography as a narrative device, bringing visual resonance to the story's characters and themes.

Fully realized characters and a capable orchestra gave the score power and texture.

Norwalk's "Legally Blonde The Musical" showcased strong musical interplay between performers and the orchestra.

Clean stage pictures, memorable visual moments, and committed stage presence propelled the upbeat show with intentionality and drive.

Okoboji brought infectious energy and heart to "Shrek the Musical."

An engaging ensemble enlivened every scene while excellent pacing and committed characters created a world filled with personality and joy.

Red Oak's "The Sound of Music" featured concert-worthy musicality from a well-prepared cast and orchestra.

Period-informed choreography and clear character relationships gave emotional depth to the musical classic.

In Sioux City West's "Hadestown: Teen Edition," cast and orchestra worked as a unified ensemble, demonstrating discipline, trust, and storytelling clarity.

Purposeful choreography, strong musicality, and a consistent point of view swept audiences into the tragic tale.

Spencer's "Footloose" featured musical prowess and high energy from both principals and ensemble.

Varied, complex choreography elevated the story while remaining organic to the journey of a rebellious teenager challenging a conservative small town, Wahlert Catholic delivered a polished, musically cohesive "Fiddler On the Roof" that supported the show's emotional arc.

Character-driven choreography and a vibrant, believable Anatevka underscored the story of Tevye and his daughters.

Xavier created a unified world in "The Addams Family: School Edition" through expressive movement and wholehearted ensemble commitment.

Sophisticated musicality and clear thematic storytelling combined for an exceptional theatrical experience.

[ Applause ] Please welcome our next spotlight medley featuring select honorees from the Outstanding Principal Role category.

♪♪ ♪ Now as the ladder of life has been strung ♪ ♪ You may think a sweep's on the bottom most rung ♪ ♪ Though I spends me time in the ashes and smoke ♪ ♪ In this whole wide world, there's no 'appier bloke ♪ ♪ Chim chim-i-ney, chim chim-i-ney ♪ ♪ Chim chim cheree ♪ ♪ A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be ♪ ♪ Chim chim-i-ney, chim chim-i-ney ♪ ♪ Chim chim cheroo ♪ ♪ Good luck will rub off ♪ ♪ When I shakes hands with you ♪ ♪ Or blow me a kiss ♪ Mwah!

♪ And that's lucky, too ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Marry the man today ♪ ♪ Marry the man today ♪ ♪ Maybe he's leaving town ♪ ♪ Maybe he's leaving town ♪ ♪ Don't let him get away ♪ ♪ Don't let him get away ♪ ♪ Hurry and track him down ♪ ♪ Counter attack him and ♪ ♪ Marry the man today ♪ ♪ Give him the girlish laughter ♪ ♪ Give him your hand today ♪ ♪ And save the fist for after ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Carefully expose him to domestic life ♪ ♪ And if he ever tries to stray from you ♪ ♪ Have a pot roast ♪ ♪ Have a headache ♪ ♪ Have a baby ♪ ♪ Have two ♪ ♪ Six!

♪ ♪ Nine!

♪ ♪ Stop!

♪ ♪ Marry the man today ♪ ♪ Rather than sigh and sorrow ♪ ♪ Marry the man today and change his ways ♪ ♪ And change his ways ♪ ♪ And change his ways ♪ ♪ And change his ways ♪ ♪ And change his ways ♪ ♪ Tomorrow ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ How can I be expected then to turn the other cheek?

♪ ♪ Should I not be her hero 'stead of sniveling and weak?

♪ ♪ I'll pick the route that's true ♪ ♪ Tell me what I must do!

♪ ♪ Should I gripe?

Should I groan?

♪ ♪ Would I rather pass a stone?

♪ ♪ Trapped ♪ ♪ Wife gone wild, crazy child ♪ ♪ Little me unreconciled ♪ ♪ I'm trapped ♪ ♪ If I'm wrong, I'll be strong ♪ ♪ And we'll try to get along ♪ ♪ Or I'll fail, have to bail ♪ ♪ Show my coffin to the nail ♪ ♪ If I napped, if I snapped ♪ ♪ Maybe dinner would be scrapped ♪ ♪ Then I wouldn't be trapped, trapped ♪ ♪ Trapped!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Look a little closer ♪ ♪ And everything will be revealed ♪ ♪ Look a little closer and ♪ ♪ There's a crack in the wall!

♪ ♪ You want stars?

♪ ♪ I got a skyful ♪ ♪ Put a quarter in the slot ♪ ♪ You'll get an eyeful ♪ ♪ You want the moon?

♪ ♪ Yeah, I got her, too ♪ ♪ She's right here waiting ♪ ♪ In my pay-per-view ♪ ♪ How long's it been?

♪ ♪ A little moonshine ain't no sin ♪ ♪ Tell my husband to take his time ♪ ♪ What the boss don't know ♪ ♪ The boss won't mind ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Back to the sun ♪ ♪ Back to the shore ♪ ♪ Back to what I was before ♪ ♪ Lie on the beach ♪ ♪ Dreams within reach ♪ ♪ Don't stray beyond ♪ ♪ Some girls fight hard ♪ ♪ Some face the trial ♪ ♪ Some girls are just meant to smile ♪ ♪ Not up to me ♪ ♪ Just let me be ♪ ♪ Legally blonde ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ And everyone here knows that they can depend ♪ ♪ On this expert jellyfisher ♪ ♪ Who's a trusted friend ♪ ♪ I can eat a lot of ice cream ♪ ♪ I can even play my nose like... ♪ ♪ Let me have adventure ♪ ♪ Be a contender and more ♪ ♪ I wish he'd see I'm not just the sponge next door ♪ ♪ I wish that I could turn back time ♪ ♪ I never thought my world could end ♪ ♪ I only wanna hang out with my friends ♪ ♪ But fear I fear is dragging us down ♪ ♪ And now there's panic that's run amok in my simple town!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ I know that if I can just stick the landing ♪ ♪ Then I know that somehow ♪ ♪ My life will be fine ♪ ♪ And I'll go through the rest of my life ♪ ♪ Understanding what it feels like to shine ♪ ♪ The future's full of mysteries ♪ ♪ So, please let this be mine ♪ ♪ My one perfect moment ♪ ♪ In time ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Nau: Behind the scenes, students got to participate in lots of activities today to connect with people from across the state and with local professionals that are doing it here in the state of Iowa.

And they got to just build community and celebrate each other.

Klindt: I was expecting to meet people from other schools, learn about their shows, and meet with industry professionals and talk to them about the way that their theaters work, or the way that they use their theatrical skills in adult professional life, to learn more about how I can work my way up to that and generally socialize with other people from theater.

Conner: I think it's really cool knowing, like, I don't have to shoot for the West End, I don't have to shoot for Broadway.

It's really nice to talk to people who are local and, like, if I don't want to move across the country to do what I really love, I could do it right from my home state.

Kaufman: I think having exposure to anybody, from ticketing to box office to all sorts of design aspects and anything in between that can just give you an idea or tell you something that that's helpful, I think is always useful because you just really sometimes don't know these things exist until you have a chance to talk to somebody about it, who does it.

And then, it sparks the idea in your head that, oh, hey, maybe that's something I can do, too.

The willingness of, like, the professionals, they're here out of their own time, and it's surprising, like, how willing they are to, like, share their stories, share their experience, and be willing to help us.

Yousif: Just needing a sound designer, I've never been so happy before.

And just, like, knowing that there's someone like me out there.

It brings me comfort knowing that I can have a place in the world.

And honestly, it's all that I expected and more.

Klindt: It was really fun going through the stations that I went through and learning about different ways you can be a director or leader in your specific group of theater.

Hagen: I definitely learned some things from some different individuals, like both professionals and some new friends from different high schools.

Some of their processes were very organized and different from the way I did it, and I would love to try to implement some of the things that I learned there.

Conner: I think it was so fun watching the little clips of everybody that everybody made, and just seeing snippets of everybody's production and how much work they put in.

Don't be afraid to get involved in something that you may not know everything about, because you'll never find out something that you want to do until you try to do it.

And you might fail, and it might work out.

But most importantly, you're going to learn whether or not that that's something that you really want to do.

Yousif: As much as I try to say I'm not a theater kid, I think I am.

I just love the art that comes with this.

I hope students left today feeling proud of their accomplishments and knowing that they can take that into whatever their next opportunity looks like, and that I hope their next opportunity is in theater because they're so great.

Announcer: Please welcome our next spotlight medley.

♪♪ ♪ Good mornin' ♪ ♪ Good mornin' ♪ ♪ We've talked the whole night through ♪ ♪ Good mornin' ♪ ♪ Good mornin' to you ♪ ♪ Good mornin' to you ♪ ♪ Good mornin', good mornin' ♪ ♪ It's great to stay up late ♪ ♪ Good mornin', good mornin' to you ♪ ♪ When the band began to play ♪ ♪ The stars were shining bright ♪ ♪ Now the milkman's on his way ♪ ♪ It's too late to say good night ♪ ♪ So, good mornin', good mornin' ♪ ♪ Sun beams will soon shine through ♪ ♪ Good mornin', good mornin' to you ♪ ♪ And you, and you, and you ♪ ♪ Good mornin', good mornin' ♪ ♪ We gabbed the whole night through ♪ ♪ Good mornin', good mornin' to you ♪ ♪ I'd be as yippe if it wasn't Mississippi ♪ ♪ In the mornin', in the mornin' ♪ ♪ It's great to stay up late ♪ ♪ Good mornin', good mornin' to you ♪ ♪ Nothing could be grander if it wasn't Louisiana ♪ ♪ When we left the movie show ♪ ♪ The future wasn't bright ♪ ♪ But came the dawn, the show goes on ♪ ♪ And I don't want to say good night ♪ ♪ So say good mornin' ♪ ♪ So say good mornin' ♪ ♪ Good mornin' ♪ ♪ Rainbows will soon shine through ♪ ♪ Good mornin' ♪ ♪ Good mornin' ♪ ♪ Good mornin' ♪ ♪ Bonjour!

♪ ♪ Monsieur!

♪ ♪ Monsieur!

♪ ♪ Buenos dias!

♪ ♪ Muchas frias!

♪ ♪ Muchas frias!

♪ ♪ Buon journo!

♪ ♪ Agitorno!

♪ ♪ Agitorno!

♪ ♪ Gutt morgen!

♪ ♪ Brechtish morgen!

♪ ♪ Brechtish morgen!

♪ ♪ Good mornin' to you!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ When he said, "Come in!"

♪ ♪ With that sickening grin ♪ ♪ How could I know what was in store?

♪ ♪ Once his teeth were bared, though ♪ ♪ I really got scared ♪ ♪ Well, excited and scared ♪ ♪ And I know things now ♪ ♪ Many valuable things ♪ ♪ That I hadn't known before ♪ ♪ Do not put your faith in a cape and a hood ♪ ♪ They will not protect you the way that they should ♪ ♪ And take extra care with strangers ♪ ♪ Even flowers have their dangers ♪ ♪ And though scary is exciting ♪ ♪ Nice is different than good ♪ ♪ Now I know, don't be scared ♪ ♪ Granny is right, just be prepared ♪ ♪ Isn't it nice to know a lot?

♪ ♪ And a little bit not ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ I'm a huntress on an African safari ♪ ♪ It's a dangerous type of sport and yet it's fun ♪ ♪ In the night, I sally forth to seek my quarry ♪ ♪ When I find I forgot to bring my gun ♪ ♪ I am lost in the jungle all alone ♪ ♪ And unarmed when I meet a lioness in her lair!

♪ ♪ Then I'm glad to be ♪ ♪ Back in my own little corner ♪ ♪ All alone ♪ ♪ In my own little chair ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ String quartets and Chia Pets ♪ ♪ And afternoon banana splits ♪ ♪ Angels watching as I sleep and Liberace's greatest hits ♪ ♪ Have got me pulled in a new direction ♪ ♪ If they keep insisting ♪ ♪ I'll stop resisting ♪ ♪ Just watch me pulled in a new direction ♪ ♪ I should stay in the dark ♪ ♪ Not obey every spark ♪ ♪ But the boy has a bite ♪ ♪ Better far than his bark ♪ ♪ And you bet I'll bite, too ♪ ♪ Do what is truly taboo ♪ ♪ As I'm pulled in a new ♪ ♪ Direction ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ It was June ♪ ♪ I was ten ♪ ♪ I still think of that day now and then ♪ ♪ A parade and a girl ♪ ♪ And a crowd of thousands ♪ ♪ Then he called out my name ♪ ♪ And he started to run ♪ ♪ Through the sun and the heat ♪ ♪ And crowd ♪ ♪ And I tried not to smile, but I smiled ♪ ♪ And then he bowed ♪ ♪ The parade traveled on ♪ ♪ With the sun in my eyes ♪ ♪ You were gone ♪ ♪ But I knew, even then ♪ ♪ In a crowd of thousands ♪ ♪ I'd find you ♪ ♪ Again ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ One step at a time ♪ ♪ One hope, then another ♪ ♪ Who knows where this road may go?

♪ ♪ Back to who I was ♪ ♪ On to find my future ♪ ♪ Things my heart still needs to know ♪ ♪ Yes, let this be a sign ♪ ♪ Let this road be mine ♪ ♪ Let it lead me to my past ♪ ♪ And bring me home ♪ ♪ At last ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] My name is London Bicknell, and I'm a 2018 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School.

It is such an honor to be back on the Civic Center stage to present this year's Technical Theater Scholarships, an award I received my senior year for the costumes in my school's production of "Sweeney Todd."

That scholarship created a pathway for me to attend Webster Conservatory in St.

Louis, where I earned a costume degree -- where I earned a degree in costume construction.

Today, my home base is Los Angeles, where I've built a career tailoring wardrobe and costumes for film, television, and music.

My needle and thread constantly take me to new places and projects, whether that's stepping back in time through the historic fashion of a theatrical adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" or traveling through South America this year on tour with the K-pop group Katseye.

And while I worked in television, film, and concerts, theater will always feel like home to me.

There's something uniquely transformative about the way live performance brings together performers, designers, technicians, and crews, musicians, stage managers, and of course, audiences to create something unforgettable together.

Tonight, we are excited to recognize six scholarship recipients for their work and leadership in technical theater.

Thanks to the generosity of donor Wyn Kischer, each will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support their continued studies and future endeavors while fueling their passion, creativity, and love for the arts community.

[ Applause ] My name is Johnathan Henn, and I'm a sound designer.

My name is Effie Hennesy, and I'm a hair and makeup designer.

I am Amelia Burton, and I am a scenic designer.

My name is Orion Vaughn, and I'm a lighting designer.

My name is Mya Kelsey and I'm a stage manager.

My name is Sophie Bumgardner, and I am a costume designer.

Henn: I would describe technical theater as exciting.

Every different show, there's something new to solve.

design around.

There's challenges around every corner.

There's just so many different opportunities, and it's all very exciting.

I love everything about hair and makeup.

I love being creative, and I love helping my cast members be unique.

Bumgardner: I love seeing everyone.

get into costume and go on stage and become a whole different person.

Burton: I just love creating something and then watching it become something more than just a drawing on my iPad.

Kelsey: To see, like, the first read-through and go all the way through rehearsals, and then, when the tech comes and just seeing it all come together and make a wonderful production.

In the future, I would like to attend college to pursue audio engineering, sound design, something in that realm, and then, ultimately join some tour of a musical and maybe even sound design for Broadway.

I think doing community theater or children's theater or professional theaters would be really cool.

I'm hoping to attend either a college or go on the road and travel and learn more lighting design, just become better and produce more shows.

My goals for the future is to go to college and get all the skills I need for stage management, and then, to go into stage management anywhere and everywhere.

Vaughn: Receiving a scholarship is very meaningful to me because I am able to get recognized for all the hard work that I've put in, along with everyone else that has been working behind the scenes on the production.

Hennesy: It's just so important to me that somebody out there accepted my work.

The long hours and the late nights.

Somebody being like, "I see you.

What you did was good."

Especially as a behind-the-scenes person.

It really helps bring forward, like, really talented designers and helping them feel like they are recognized, as well.

And it also will help with financial burdens of college and tuition.

Henn: Getting this scholarship really showed me that all the hard work has, in fact, paid off.

Announcer: Please welcome the casts of Cedar Falls' "Les Misérables," West Des Moines Valley's "Into the Woods," and Waukee's "Come From Away."

♪ One more day before the storm ♪ ♪ Do I follow where she goes?

♪ ♪ At the barricades of freedom ♪ ♪ Shall I join my brothers there?

♪ ♪ When our ranks begin to form ♪ ♪ Do I stay, or do I dare?

♪ ♪ Will you take your place with me?

♪ ♪ The time is now, the day is here!

♪ ♪ One day more ♪ ♪ One more day to revolution ♪ ♪ We will nip it in the bud ♪ ♪ We'll be ready for these schoolboys ♪ ♪ They will wet themselves with blood ♪ ♪ One day more ♪ ♪ Watch 'em run amuck, catch 'em as they fall ♪ ♪ Never know your luck when there's a free for all ♪ ♪ Here a little "dip," there a little "touch" ♪ ♪ Most of them are goners so they won't miss much ♪ ♪ One day to a new beginning ♪ ♪ Raise the flag of freedom high ♪ ♪ Every man will be a king ♪ ♪ Every man will be a king ♪ ♪ There's a new world for the winning ♪ ♪ There's a new world to be won ♪ ♪ Do you hear the people sing?

♪ ♪ My place is here ♪ ♪ I fight with you ♪ ♪ One day more ♪ ♪ I did not live until today ♪ ♪ One more day all on my own ♪ ♪ How can I live when we are parted?

♪ ♪ I will know the things they know ♪ ♪ One day more ♪ ♪ Watch 'em run amuck, catch 'em as they fall ♪ ♪ What a life I might have known ♪ ♪ And yet, with you, my world has started ♪ ♪ Tomorrow is the judgment day ♪ ♪ Tomorrow we'll discover ♪ ♪ What our God in heaven has in store ♪ ♪ One more dawn ♪ ♪ One more day ♪ ♪ One day ♪ ♪ More ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Careful the wish you make ♪ ♪ Wishes are children ♪ ♪ Careful the path they take ♪ ♪ Wishes come true ♪ ♪ Not free ♪ ♪ Careful the spell you cast ♪ ♪ Not just on children ♪ ♪ Sometimes the spell may last ♪ ♪ Past what you can see ♪ ♪ And turn against you ♪ ♪ Careful the tale you tell ♪ ♪ That is the spell ♪ ♪ Children will listen ♪ ♪ Though it's fearful, though it's deep ♪ ♪ Though it's dark and though you may lose the path ♪ ♪ Though you may encounter wolves ♪ ♪ Though it's deep, though it's dark and though you may lose ♪ ♪ The path, you have to think, listen ♪ ♪ You can't just act, you have to think ♪ ♪ There are always wolves, there are always spells ♪ ♪ There are always beans or a giant dwells there ♪ ♪ So into the woods you go again ♪ ♪ You have to every now and then ♪ ♪ Into the woods, no telling when ♪ ♪ Be ready for the journey ♪ ♪ Into the woods, but not so fast ♪ ♪ Or what you wish you'll lose at last ♪ ♪ Into the woods but mind the past ♪ ♪ Into the woods but mind the future ♪ ♪ Into the woods, but not to stray ♪ ♪ Or tempt the wolf or steal from the giant ♪ ♪ The way is dark ♪ ♪ The light is dim ♪ ♪ But now there's you, me, her, and him ♪ ♪ The chances look small ♪ ♪ The choices look grim ♪ ♪ But everything you learn there ♪ ♪ Will help when you return there ♪ ♪ The light is getting dimmer ♪ ♪ I think I see a glimmer ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Into the woods, you have to grope ♪ ♪ But that's the way you learn to cope ♪ ♪ Into the woods to find there's hope ♪ ♪ Of getting through the journey ♪ ♪ Into the woods, each time you go ♪ ♪ There's more to learn of what you know ♪ ♪ Into the woods but not too slow ♪ ♪ Into the woods, it's nearing midnight ♪ ♪ Into the woods to mind the wolf ♪ ♪ To heed the witch, to honor the giant ♪ ♪ To mind, to heed, to find, to think, to teach, to join ♪ ♪ To go to the festival ♪ ♪ Into the woods ♪ ♪ Into the woods ♪ ♪ Into the woods, then out of the woods ♪ ♪ And happy ever after!

♪ ♪ I wish ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ One plane then another ♪ ♪ And then nine planes, then another ♪ ♪ And then thirteen planes, then another ♪ ♪ Nineteen planes, twenty-two, twenty-four ♪ ♪ Twenty-nine, thirty-two ♪ ♪ Thirty-eight, thirty-eight, thirty-eight ♪ ♪ Thirty-eight, thirty-eight, thirty-eight ♪ ♪ Thirty-eight, thirty-eight, thirty-eight ♪ ♪ Thirty, thirty, thirty-eight planes ♪ ♪ Ladies and gentleman, if you look out your windows ♪ ♪ Underneath all that rain is Maine ♪ ♪ We've just crossed the Canadian border ♪ ♪ Welcome back to the US of A ♪ [ Cheering ] ♪ Looking out the window at the world underneath ♪ ♪ And though he's here next to me ♪ ♪ In a second, he'll go ♪ -♪ Looking out the window ♪ -♪ Kevin talk to me, please ♪ ♪ And out the window we see ♪ ♪ A place we all know below ♪ ♪ Somewhere in the middle of nowhere ♪ ♪ In the middle of who knows who knows where ♪ ♪ You'll find ♪ ♪ Something in the middle of nowhere ♪ ♪ In the middle of clear blue air ♪ ♪ You found your heart ♪ ♪ But left a part of you behind ♪ ♪ Ladies and gentleman, if you look out your window ♪ ♪ You won't want to miss this ♪ ♪ We just entered Texas ♪ ♪ Somewhere in the middle of nowhere ♪ ♪ In the middle of who knows who know where ♪ ♪ You'll find ♪ ♪ In the middle of ♪ ♪ Something in the middle of nowhere ♪ ♪ In the middle of clear blue air ♪ ♪ You found your heart ♪ ♪ But left a part of you behind ♪ ♪ Somewhere in between the pace ♪ ♪ Of life and work and where you're going ♪ ♪ Something makes you stop and notice ♪ ♪ And you're finally in the moment ♪ ♪ Somewhere in the middle of nowhere ♪ ♪ In the middle of who knows who know where ♪ ♪ You'll find ♪ ♪ Something in the middle of nowhere ♪ ♪ In the middle of clear blue air ♪ ♪ You found your heart ♪ ♪ But left a part of you behind ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: Please welcome the casts of Southeast Polk's "Seussical," Ames' "Something Rotten!"

and Davenport Central's "Into the Woods."

♪♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Any thinker who thinks ♪ ♪ Can come up with a few ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Take a trip on a ship ♪ ♪ To the Vipper of Vipp ♪ ♪ Or to Solla Sollew ♪ Think of beautiful schlopp!

With a cherry on top!

♪ You don't need an excuse ♪ Both: ♪ Oh, the things you can think ♪ Together: ♪ When you think about Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seuss!

♪ ♪ Think of an elephant up in a tree ♪ Both: ♪ Think of a person too tiny to see ♪ ♪ Think of a bird with a one-feather tail ♪ Together: ♪ Going on adventures down a dangerous trail ♪ ♪ Think of a bird who flies off on a spree ♪ ♪ Think of a kangaroo sour as can be ♪ ♪ Think of a general crazy for war!

♪ ♪ Think of something horrible and hairy!

♪ ♪ Something sinister and scary ♪ ♪ That you never dared to think of before ♪ ♪ Think of nobody here ♪ ♪ And the feeling of fear ♪ ♪ And the darkness of night ♪ ♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh ♪ ♪ All alone in your room ♪ ♪ As you're facing your doom ♪ ♪ Think a glimmer of light ♪ ♪ Ah-ah ♪ ♪ But I hope you're prepared ♪ ♪ To be scareder than scared ♪ ♪ 'Cause this ain't Mother Goose ♪ ♪ Danger's right on the brink ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seu-u-u-u-ss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seu-u-u-ss!

♪ ♪ Seuss ♪ ♪ Seu-u-u-u-ss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ ♪ All the things you can think ♪ ♪ Think and wonder and dream ♪ ♪ Far and wide as you dare!

♪ Oh, the thinks you can think!

♪ When your thinks have run dry ♪ ♪ In the blink of an eye ♪ ♪ There's another think there ♪ ♪ If you open your mind ♪ ♪ Oh, the thinks you will find ♪ ♪ Lining up to get loose ♪ ♪ Oh, the things you can think ♪ Young man: ♪ Oh, the thinks you can think ♪ ♪ Oh, the things you can think ♪ ♪ Oh, the things you can think ♪ ♪ Oh, the things you can think ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss ♪ ♪ When you think about Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seu-u-u-u-ss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seu-u-u-ss!

♪ Young women: ♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ ♪ Seu-u-u-u-ss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

Seu-u-ss!

♪ Seuss!

Suess!

♪ Seu-u-u-u-ss!

Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ Seuss!

Seuss!

♪ Together: Seuss!

[ Music ends, cheers and applause ] [ Intro to "Welcome to America" plays ] ♪♪ Young man: ♪ Who's that coming out of Cornwall ♪ ♪ With his brother?

♪ ♪ It's Nick ♪ Together: And Nigel Bottom!

Young men: ♪ Who's that starting out with nothing ♪ ♪ But each other?

♪ ♪ It's Nick ♪ Together: And Nigel Bottom!

Nick and Nigel: ♪ Yes, we are the Bottom brothers ♪ ♪ Writing plays just like our mother said we oughta do ♪ ♪ We've learned a thing or two!

♪ ♪ He almost got us all beheaded ♪ Sorry.

♪ Instead we just got banished-ed ♪ Together: Yay!

Nick and Nigel: ♪ We came from London on a boat ♪ ♪ And landed here and went and wrote a play ♪ ♪ With songs and dancers galore ♪ Bea and Portia: ♪ It's something no one else has ever seen before ♪ Nick and Nigel: ♪ So here we go, putting on a show ♪ ♪ And not just any old ordinary show ♪ Together: ♪ A big and bold, extraordinary show ♪ ♪ A must-see, magical, new, original ♪ ♪ Musical ♪ [ Audience cheering ] ♪ A musical ♪ ♪ There's nothing as amazing as a musical!

♪ ♪ With song and dance and sweet romance ♪ ♪ And happy endings happening by happenstance ♪ ♪ And you'll see it will be only the beginning ♪ ♪ This glorious creation called a musical ♪ ♪ Welcome to America ♪ ♪ Where nothing rhymes with "America" ♪ ♪ But who's complaining?

♪ ♪ We're living in the new world ♪ ♪ And living the dream ♪ ♪ It's our debut ♪ ♪ Welcome to America ♪ ♪ Where everything ♪ ♪ Is new!

♪ ♪ Welcome to America ♪ ♪ Everything is new ♪ ♪ Welcome to America ♪ Land of opportunity!

[ Music ends, cheers and applause ] [ Intro to "Finale: Children Will Listen" plays ] ♪♪ Together: ♪ Careful the wish you make ♪ ♪ Wishes are children ♪ ♪ Careful the path they take ♪ ♪ Wishes come true ♪ ♪ Not free ♪ Young women: ♪ Careful the spell you cast ♪ ♪ Not just on children ♪ Young men: ♪ Sometimes the spell may last ♪ Together: ♪ Past what you can see ♪ ♪ And turn against you ♪ Witch: ♪ Careful the tale you tell ♪ ♪ That is the spell ♪ ♪ Children will listen ♪ Together: ♪ Though it's fearful ♪ ♪ Though it's deep, though it's dark ♪ ♪ And though you may lose the path ♪ ♪ Though you may encounter wolves ♪ ♪ You can't just act ♪ ♪ You have to listen ♪ ♪ You can't just act, you have to think ♪ ♪ There are always wolves, there are always spells ♪ ♪ There are always beans or a giant who dwells there ♪ ♪ So into the woods, you go again ♪ ♪ You have to every now and then ♪ ♪ Into the woods, no telling when ♪ ♪ Be ready for the journey ♪ ♪ Into the woods, but not too fast ♪ ♪ Or what you wish, you lose at last ♪ Young men: ♪ Into the woods, but mind the past ♪ Young women: ♪ Into the woods, but mind the future ♪ ♪ Into the woods, but not to stray ♪ ♪ Or tempt the wolf or steal from the giant ♪ ♪ The way is dark ♪ ♪ The light is dim ♪ ♪ But now there's you, me, her, and him ♪ ♪ The chances look small ♪ ♪ The choices look grim ♪ ♪ But everything you learn there will help ♪ ♪ When you return there ♪ ♪ The light is getting dimmer ♪ Baker: ♪ I think I see a glimmer ♪ [ All cheering ] -Whoo!

-Whoo!

[ Woman laughs ] [ All cheering ] ♪ Into the woods, you have to grope ♪ ♪ But that's the way you learn to cope ♪ ♪ Into the woods to find there's hope ♪ ♪ Of getting through the journey ♪ ♪ Into the woods, each time you go ♪ ♪ There's more to learn of what you know ♪ ♪ Into the woods, but not too slow ♪ ♪ Into the woods, it's nearing midnight ♪ ♪ Into the woods to mind the wolf ♪ ♪ To heed the witch, to honor the giant ♪ ♪ To mind, to heed, to find ♪ ♪ To think, to teach, to join ♪ ♪ To go to the festival!

♪ ♪ Into the woods ♪ ♪ Into the woods ♪ ♪ Into the woods, then out of the woods ♪ ♪ And happy ever after!

♪ ♪ I wish ♪ [ Music ends, cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continues ] Announcer: The 2026 Outstanding Overall Technical & Creative Achievement Awards are presented to the following schools in recognition of their high-achieving performance elements.

♪♪ Cedar Rapids George Washington created the imaginative world of "Amélie: Teen Edition."

Whimsical props, colorful lighting shifts, character-driven costumes, and a stunning set combined to bring the quirky production's Technicolor world vividly to life.

Des Moines Christian's integrated design for "Seussical" brought a storybook world to the stage.

Functional, colorful scenery, terrific props, distinctive costumes, and mood-enhancing lighting provided a gratifying theatrical experience.

Greene County utilized artistic projections and practical set pieces to draw viewers into the immersive world of "Anastasia: the Musical."

Well-defined lighting and period-appropriate costumes used thoughtful color palettes to guide audience's journey.

Indianola's "Seussical" was filled with fun and whimsy.

Carefully accessorized costumes, stylized hair and makeup, a smart multi-level set, and lighting that ranged from atmospheric to immersive all supported the show's playful storytelling.

Johnston's "The Addams Family: School Edition" featured an impressive design rich in scope and detail.

Scenic elements evoked a sinister family heritage while creating dynamic staging opportunities.

Distinctive costumes, effective lighting, and character-driven props added humor, energy, and visual texture.

Montezuma produced a bright and bold "Monty Python's Spamalot: School Edition" through imaginative design choices.

A well-painted, functional castle set transformed through clever details, while textured lighting and inventive costumes and props added depth, surprise, and comedy.

Northeast Community visually pulled audiences into "Hadestown: Teen Edition."

A multi-leveled set and working turntable supported well-costumed characters, while evocative lighting shifted from being bright and cheerful to dark and moody to distinguish the worlds above and below.

Pella Christian brought elegance and style to "The Sound of Music."

A serene mountain backdrop and thoughtfully designed locales created strong, picturesque storytelling, while detailed period costumes and expressive use of shadows and filtered light deepened the production's emotional resonance.

Shenandoah transported audiences to the chaos-filled world of Bikini Bottom in "The SpongeBob Musical."

Fanciful costumes, focused lighting cues, animated projections, and smartly designed set pieces created an engaging underwater environment.

In Siouxland Christian's "Hadestown: Teen Edition" scenic design balanced beauty and function by framing strong stage pictures and accommodating the visible orchestra.

Costumes, props, and lighting produced striking visuals that underscored the story's emotional intensity.

Williamsburg presented "Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins" with a cohesive design aesthetic.

A functional storybook-inspired set, emotionally attuned lighting, and fully realized looks for each character resulted in a polished and magic-filled production.

Congratulations on your technical and creative achievements.

[ Applause ] Please welcome our next spotlight medley featuring representatives from the Outstanding Principal Role category.

[ Intro to "Alone in the Universe" plays ] ♪ I have wings ♪ ♪ Yes, I can fly ♪ ♪ Around the moon ♪ ♪ And far beyond the sky ♪ ♪ You called my name ♪ ♪ And you set me free ♪ ♪ One small voice in the universe ♪ ♪ Who believes in me ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I'm all alone ♪ ♪ So all alone ♪ ♪ All by myself ♪ ♪ I'm all ♪ ♪ Alone ♪ ♪ I'm all alone ♪ ♪ He's all alone ♪ ♪ All by myself ♪ ♪ Except for me ♪ ♪ I cannot face tomorrow ♪ ♪ He cannot face it ♪ ♪ I'm all alone ♪ ♪ Though I am here ♪ ♪ So all alone ♪ So very near.

♪ No one to share my sorrow ♪ ♪ You know it seems quite clear to me ♪ ♪ Because I'm working class ♪ ♪ I'm just the horse's arse ♪ ♪ He sells me down the river ♪ ♪ What am I, chopped liver?

♪ ♪ But I'm alone ♪ ♪ Oh, no, you're not ♪ ♪ So all alone ♪ ♪ I'm all you've got ♪ ♪ All by myself, I'm all ♪ ♪ Alone ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ I think I'm rested ♪ ♪ But then I'm tired ♪ ♪ Today requested ♪ ♪ Tomorrow fired ♪ ♪ And now a boy says he adores ♪ ♪ She who once was yours ♪ ♪ How can I ignore such news?

♪ ♪ I'm sad and happy ♪ ♪ Why should I choose?

♪ ♪ Life is full of contradictions ♪ ♪ Every inch a mile ♪ ♪ At the moment we start weeping ♪ ♪ That's when we should smile ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Or maybe these just ain't enough ♪ ♪ Maybe you're looking for some stronger stuff ♪ ♪ I got a sight for the sorest eye ♪ ♪ When was the last time you saw the sky?

♪ ♪ Wipe away your tears, brother ♪ ♪ Brother, I know how you feel ♪ ♪ I can see you're blinded ♪ ♪ By the sadness of it all ♪ ♪ Look a little closer and ♪ ♪ Everything will be revealed ♪ ♪ Look a little closer and ♪ ♪ There's a crack in the wall!

♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Beside the lake ♪ ♪ Beneath the trees ♪ ♪ Beyond mistake ♪ Please... ♪ Marry me ♪ ♪ Please marry me ♪ ♪♪ Both: ♪ Let's build a world of daffodils ♪ ♪ That never fades and never dies ♪ ♪ I see the answer in your eyes ♪ ♪ You'll be the bride ♪ ♪ I'll be the bride ♪ ♪ I'll be the groom ♪ ♪ You'll be the groom ♪ ♪ A daffodil in every ♪ ♪ Room ♪ ♪ And I will shower you with flowers ♪ ♪ Or my name isn't Edward ♪ ♪ Bloom ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Baby, when you're in the clouds ♪ ♪ Please keep a lookout ♪ ♪ Maybe, darling, find a hideaway ♪ ♪ For you and I, you and I ♪ ♪ Now I'll see him fly, fly ♪ ♪ I'll be your alibi, my baby ♪ ♪ Fly, fly, fly away ♪ ♪ We didn't get to say goodbye, goodbye ♪ ♪ No need to tell me why, my baby ♪ ♪ Maybe it's because you'll fly back home to me one day ♪ ♪ Maybe it's because you'll fly back home to me ♪ ♪ One day ♪ [ Music ends, cheers and applause ] Good evening.

My name is Bryce Shutt, and I'm a 2015 graduate of Dallas Center-Grimes.

My journey with the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards began my senior year when I played Tevye in my school's production of "Fiddler on the Roof."

I went on to participate in the Triple Threat program, and together, those experiences jump-started my passion for musicals and theater in general.

After high school, I went to earn my music education degree from Wartburg College.

[ Cheers and applause ] And today, I'm the vocal music instructor at Ballard High School.

[ Cheers and applause ] And one of my favorite parts of my job is directing the school musical.

That is why I am proud to be here tonight to introduce this year's Impact Award honorees.

Students have nominated adults who have made a remarkable impact on their musical experience.

When these adults share their time and experiences, they are also teaching these students about the power of kindness, generosity, and commitment -- lessons they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Please welcome this year's Impact Award recipients and the students who nominated them.

[ Cheers and applause ] Hello.

I'm Deanna Anderson from Boyer Valley, where Stephanie Lantz teaches Spanish and has earned the title "Drama Mama."

From coordinating student meals during tech and show weeks, to helping with hair and makeup, to handling any last-minute mishaps -- and there always are -- she radiates positivity.

She's the first to celebrate your success and the first to provide comfort and encouragement on hard days.

Her can-do spirit and genuine affection are an inspiration, raising us all to new levels.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Trevor McNelly of Coon Rapids-Bayard.

My uncle, Danny Heithoff, spends countless hours designing and building sets for our musicals.

This year, for example, he transformed our stage into a rustic Greek taverna for "Mamma Mia!"

His collaborative work style encourages students to expand their thinking and creativity.

We learned craftsmanship, too, spending happy weekends covered in sawdust and paint.

Best of all, he's shown us that a set isn't just a backdrop -- It's a living, breathing part of the storytelling.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Charlotte Madden of North Scott.

For 10 years, my mom, Mary Beth Madden, has been the heart of our drama department.

You'll find her energy and creativity in the merchandise ideas to help raise funds, like selling coffee beans in Dolly Parton-themed mugs when we did "9 to 5"... in organizing meals for the cast, finding costumes, and decorating hallways, and even help painting the sets.

She's a once-in-a-lifetime volunteer, giving her all in everything she does and making us want to do the same.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm Charlotte Nelson from Woodward-Granger, where Bryan Willer teaches instrumental music.

Mr.

Willer is a builder.

He's a builder in the literal sense, helping us to construct some of the largest sets I've ever seen.

He's a builder in other ways, too.

He's the reason why we now have a live pit to accompany our shows, instead of relying on recorded music.

And he's a builder in the way he builds new skills and confidence in his students.

He's also a good sport, letting us bedazzle his bald head with sequins for our final performance.

[ Laughter, cheers and applause ] Announcer: Please welcome our final spotlight medley of the evening.

[ Intro to "Let's Step Out" plays ] ♪ Let's step out, let's step out ♪ ♪ Let's go somewhere and dance about ♪ ♪ We're all set for rout ♪ ♪ C'mon, let's step out ♪ ♪ People say times are hot ♪ ♪ I'm beginning to fear they're not ♪ ♪ Please don't leave us in doubt ♪ ♪ Come on, let's step out ♪ ♪ Life a bore when you simply jog on and never show your pep ♪ ♪ I confess that I'm getting doggone tired watchin' my step ♪ ♪ So let's run wild, let's be fools ♪ ♪ Let's go crazy and break the rules ♪ ♪ Fall in line when we shout ♪ ♪ C'mon, let's step out ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ When your life ♪ ♪ Seems to drift ♪ ♪ When we all ♪ ♪ Need a lift!

♪ ♪ Trim your sail!

♪ ♪ You won't fail ♪ ♪ Find your Grail ♪ ♪ Find your Grail ♪ ♪ Life is really up to you ♪ ♪ You must choose what to pursue ♪ Huh!

♪ Set your mind on what to find ♪ ♪ And there's nothing you can't do ♪ ♪ You can't do ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I love my dictionary ♪ ♪ And I love the indented border ♪ ♪ Every word's in alphabetical order ♪ ♪ Ergo, lost things always can be found ♪ ♪ And I wrap my head around the fact that in one book ♪ ♪ Is the entire language of our species ♪ ♪ Which is a favorite term of Nietzsche's ♪ ♪ Who's the great-grandfather of Christina Ricci's ♪ [ Laughs ] ♪ Yes, I joke, but the words in the dictionary ♪ ♪ Are the friends that I'll have forever ♪ ♪ More than the friends I have made in school ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Honk!

♪ I have seen the golden sunset over the horizon ♪ ♪ Painting skies ♪ ♪ Of pink and blue ♪ ♪ I thought I knew ♪ ♪ What beautiful was ♪ ♪ But now I've seen you ♪ ♪ Now I've seen you ♪ ♪ Oh-oh, now ♪ ♪ I've seen ♪ ♪ You ♪ [ Music ends, cheers and applause ] What about him?

He'll let us go.

Look at him.

He can't say no.

What about them?

We'll show the way.

If we can do it, so can they.

Both: ♪ I don't know where this road will end ♪ ♪ But I'll walk it with you hand in hand ♪ ♪ I can't promise you a fair sky above ♪ ♪ Can't promise you kind road below ♪ ♪ But I'll walk beside you, love ♪ ♪ Any way the wind blows ♪ ♪ And do you let me walk with you?

♪ ♪ I do ♪ ♪ I do ♪ ♪ I do ♪ ♪ And keep on walking, come what will?

♪ ♪ I will ♪ ♪ I will ♪ ♪ We will ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Footprints on the sand ♪ ♪ Ripples on the river ♪ ♪ Echoes of a sound ♪ ♪ From a distant fading chime ♪ ♪ One day, we are here ♪ ♪ And the next, we vanish ♪ ♪ But I'm a fool ♪ ♪ And so I like to fool myself ♪ ♪ That I'm ♪ ♪ Not just footprints on the sand ♪ ♪ But someone who'll leave footprints on the sands ♪ ♪ Of ♪ ♪ Tiiiiiime ♪ [ Music ends, cheers and applause ] Hello.

Hi.

I'm Jeffrey Laughrun, a 2015 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School, and a proud alum of the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards.

Presenting tonight's Triple Threat Award, which celebrates students who excel in singing, dancing and acting, is truly a full-circle moment for me.

I received this award in 2014 for my portrayal of Julian Marsh in "42nd Street," which, if you know the show, is perhaps the most questionable casting in musical theater history.

[ Laughter ] He's a towering, intimidating Broadway director, and I... was not that.

[ Laughter ] That Triple Threat experience and the weeklong intensive in New York City that followed completely expanded my world.

Des Moines Performing Arts opened that door for me, and I've been performing ever since -- college, cruise ships, theaters across the country... even Off-Broadway, in a musical parody of a familiar sci-fi show called "Stranger Sings!"

[ Laughter ] [ Light applause ] What I've learned is this -- Growth doesn't come from staying in what you already know.

It comes from continuing to expand what you think you're capable of.

And that's what makes tonight's Triple Threat nominees so exciting.

They're not waiting to arrive.

They are showing up and doing the work... trying, stretching, and discovering what's next in real time.

Before we see them perform together, let's take a look at what they've been building and challenging themselves with over the past few days.

[ Cheers and applause ] Together: ♪ A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K ♪ ♪ L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W ♪ ♪ X-Y-Z ♪ Man: Jumping jacks.

♪ A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K ♪ ♪ L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W ♪ ♪ X-Y-Z ♪ ♪ A-B-C-D-E... ♪ The Triple Threat program is for high-school students all across Iowa who participated in musicals this year as Outstanding Performers in Principal Roles, and those who made the cut, the 80 of us, are in the Triple Threat program, which is acting, singing, and dancing.

Alesch: It's an environment where you can grow and learn with so many talented people, and you also get to compete to go even further and go to the Jimmy Awards in New York, or you can go to an intensive Broadway camp.

It's like a glimpse into the professional theater world that you don't get in your high-school musical.

Students get one-on-one coaching from university faculty.

They get to go through an audition process with our adjudicator team.

And they get the chance to put together a medley with the 79 other Triple Threat candidates with our creative team.

Working with my coach for the coaching session was nerve-racking at first, but she gave very honest, very real advice that will help me a lot.

Young woman: It's really cool getting to work with professionals that don't get to hear your voice all the time.

Cooper: I feel like my job is to put the icing on the cake.

They come in with a beautiful package and their -- and their pieces, and my job is to read, "What are your individual gifts?"

Young woman #2: The audition, it was really nerve-racking, but overall, it was just exciting to go in there and perform the pieces I've worked really hard on.

Spore: It's so wonderful that you can walk into just, like, a safe, professional environment and just have people lifting you up and trying to help you to do your very best.

The talent that we've seen today really represents the best and the brightest that Iowa has to offer for musical theater performers, and it makes for a really exciting future.

We do treat them as professionals.

They're coming in, they're having a conversation with the pianist, just like a professional would.

They're presenting their cuts like a professional would, and then they're exiting like a professional would, and so very similar to a casting situation or a college audition, where it's gonna be necessary to have those professional skills.

Young man: Working with Tiger and Ben and the medley has been a fantastic experience.

They are both super-fun, high-energy, but also no-nonsense when they need to be.

Young woman #3: They're very good about being supportive while also getting you back on track, you know.

The material we're giving them is not easy.

I know Tiger and myself are both giving them stuff that is worthy of professional performers, and we love to see these kids rise to the occasion, because it's clear to me that they really want to rise.

All the students in the medley are so very talented, and, also, they all know what they're doing, and they all bring so many different talents to the table.

Everyone's determined, everyone's motivated, and the amount of support that everyone has given, as well, has been tremendously impactful to me.

Everyone wants everyone else to succeed.

Brown: Watching them come in from Day 1 and then seeing what they create at the end and the bonds that they have made, it's unlike anything else.

I'm excited to share the stage with people that feel the same way I do and are super-talented, and I'm just excited to also be on stage in general.

This entire week, what it's really building up to is doing that performance.

And as we build stronger bonds with each other and enjoy what we're doing more and more, I think the amount of joy that will just be on that stage for the performance will really be indescribable.

And I think I'm really just gonna try to soak it in.

I never really thought I had it in me to do this.

But then I put in the work and here I am.

And so it's just really amazing knowing that, like, I don't have impostor syndrome and I am actually, like -- I deserve to be here just as much as everyone else deserves to be here, and that's really empowering.

♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Intro to "Times Are Hard for Dreamers" plays ] ♪ They say times are hard for dreamers ♪ ♪ And who knows?

♪ ♪ Maybe they are ♪ ♪ People seem stuck ♪ ♪ Or lost at sea ♪ ♪ And I might be a dreamer ♪ ♪ But it's gotten me this far ♪ ♪ And that is far enough ♪ ♪ For me ♪ ♪ And I am not afraid ♪ ♪ As everything I'll ever need appears ♪ Together: ♪ This is how my world gets ♪ ♪ Made ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I've got an itching on the tips of my fingers ♪ Together: ♪ Times are hard for dreamers ♪ ♪ I've got a boiling in the back of my brain ♪ ♪ Times are hard for dreams ♪ -♪ The spark of creation ♪ -♪ Raise a glass to freedom ♪ Group: ♪ Something they can never take away ♪ ♪ No matter what they tell you ♪ ♪ They'll tell the story of tonight ♪ Young woman: ♪ If we're gonna go, we gotta go tonight ♪ ♪ Go tonight, go tonight ♪ Young woman: ♪ The ♪ ♪ Keeper ♪ Group #2: ♪ Tomorrow there'll be more of us ♪ Group #3: ♪ Of the spark of ♪ ♪ Creation ♪ ♪ Creation ♪ -♪ Freedom ♪ -♪ Go ♪ Group #2: ♪ Creation ♪ -♪ Freedom ♪ -♪ Go ♪ ♪ Creation, freedom ♪ ♪ Go tonight ♪ ♪♪ [ Audience cheering ] ♪ There'll be times when your faith is shaken ♪ ♪ They're breaking your heart?

♪ ♪ Then try to hear it pound ♪ Both: ♪ Got to know where the real fight lies ♪ ♪ When it's time to rise and stand your ground ♪ ♪ You don't have to go it alone ♪ ♪ They put us in a box, but we won't be contained ♪ ♪ You keep hoping, you keep your eyes open ♪ ♪ 'Cause the sea doesn't like to be restrained ♪ Group #1: ♪ We're not gonna take it ♪ Group #2: ♪ My pulse is rising ♪ ♪ We're not gonna take it ♪ ♪ My head is reeling ♪ ♪ We're not gonna take it ♪ ♪ My face is flushing ♪ ♪ We're not gonna take it, what is this feeling?

♪ Both: ♪ Bring on the monsters, bring on the monsters ♪ ♪ Bring on the real world ♪ Together: ♪ Bring on the monsters ♪ Both: ♪ Bring on the real world ♪ Together: ♪ We're not gonna take it ♪ ♪ We're not gonna take it ♪ Young men: ♪ Are we?

We are ♪ ♪ Are we?

We are the waiting ♪ Young women: ♪ Only heaven knows how glory goes ♪ ♪ Are we?

We are ♪ ♪ Are we?

We are the waiting ♪ ♪ Only heaven knows how glory goes ♪ ♪ And screaming ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Better learn to go it alone ♪ ♪ Recognize you're not on your own ♪ ♪ Nobody's on nobody's side ♪ ♪ Look at where you are ♪ ♪ And look at where you started ♪ ♪ Stay alive ♪ ♪ The fact that you're alive is a miracle ♪ ♪ Stay alive ♪ ♪ To stay alive, that would be enough ♪ ♪ Never take a stranger's advice ♪ ♪ Never let a friend fool you twice ♪ ♪ Nobody's on nobody's side ♪ ♪ How do you write like tomorrow won't arrive?

♪ ♪ How do you write like you need it to survive?

♪ ♪ How do you write every second you're alive?

♪ ♪ Every second you're alive, every second you're alive ♪ ♪ Take what you can, give what you must ♪ ♪ Ain't nobody but yourself to trust ♪ ♪ Whatcha gonna do when the chips are down?

♪ ♪ Now that the chips are down ♪ ♪ Whatcha gonna do when the chips are down?

♪ ♪ How do you write like you need it to survive?

♪ ♪ Running out of time every second you're alive ♪ ♪ Every second you're alive ♪ ♪ When history has its eyes on you ♪ ♪ Never stay a minute too long ♪ ♪ Don't forget the best will go wrong ♪ ♪ When the chips are down ♪ ♪ Nobody's on nobody's side ♪ ♪ History has its eyes on ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪ Haa, haa, haa, haa ♪ ♪ When I grow up ♪ -♪ When I grow up ♪ -♪ When I grow up ♪ ♪ I will be brave enough ♪ ♪ To fight the creatures ♪ ♪ That you have to fight ♪ ♪ Beneath the bed each night to be a grown-up ♪ ♪ If I try, maybe I can see your shadow ♪ ♪ In the sodium light ♪ ♪ That masquerades as moon ♪ -♪ When I grow up ♪ -♪ Very soon ♪ ♪ When I grow up ♪ ♪ Very soon that's the sound of longing ♪ ♪ Answer me ♪ ♪ Are you there?

♪ ♪ When the sun and moon and stars are gone ♪ ♪ Are you there?

♪ ♪ When I grow up ♪ ♪ With you ♪ ♪ When I grow up ♪ ♪ I can be brave ♪ ♪ When I grow up ♪ ♪ When I grow up ♪ -♪ From now on ♪ -♪ From now on ♪ ♪ These eyes will not be blinded by the light ♪ ♪ If we're gonna go, we gotta go tonight ♪ ♪ Go tonight, go tonight ♪ ♪ From now on ♪ ♪ Let's wait until tomorrow starts tonight ♪ ♪ Like the spark of creation ♪ ♪ It starts tonight ♪ ♪ And let this promise in me ♪ ♪ Start like an anthem in my heart ♪ ♪ From now on ♪ ♪ From now on ♪ ♪ From now on ♪ ♪ From now on ♪ ♪ And we will come back home ♪ ♪ And we will come back home ♪ ♪ Home again ♪ ♪ Telling the story of tonight ♪ ♪ And we will come back home ♪ ♪ And we will come back home ♪ ♪ Home again ♪ If we're gonna go, we gotta go tonight, go!

♪ And we will come back home ♪ ♪ And we will come back home ♪ ♪ Home again ♪ If we're gonna go, we gotta go, we gotta go!

♪ Telling the story of ♪ ♪ Tonight ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] That was incredible.

Wow.

We want to recognize every one of our Triple Threat nominees for the extraordinary artistry, dedication, and growth they have demonstrated throughout this week.

The students traveling to New York do so not only on behalf of themselves, but on behalf of this entire community of performers across Iowa.

They carry with them the talent, generosity, and work ethic that all of you have brought to this process.

And now, our first Triple Threat Award goes to... Peyton Haacke from Southeast Polk High School.

[ Cheers and applause ] Congratulations to you.

Really great work.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Our second Triple Threat Award goes to... Wrigley Mancha from Davenport Central High School.

[ Cheers and applause ] Congratulations.

So good.

We have one more medley to close out our evening, but first, our Triple Threat Award recipients will return for a special encore performances.

Announcer: Please welcome Peyton Haacke, recognized for the role of Horton the Elephant in "Seussical" at Southeast Polk High School.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I'm all alone in the universe ♪ ♪ So alone in the universe ♪ ♪ I found magic, but they won't see it ♪ ♪ They all call me a lunatic ♪ ♪ Okay, call me a lunatic ♪ ♪ If I stand on my own, so be it ♪ ♪ 'Cause I have wings ♪ ♪ Yes, I can fly ♪ ♪ Around the moon and far beyond the sky ♪ ♪ Well, someday soon I know there you'll be ♪ ♪ One small voice in the universe ♪ ♪ One true friend in the universe ♪ ♪ Who believes in me ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: Please welcome Wrigley Mancha, recognized for the role of Cinderella in "Into the Woods" at Davenport Central High School.

♪♪ ♪ There's a lot that's at stake, but you've stalled long enough ♪ ♪ 'Cause you're still standing stuck ♪ ♪ To the stuff on the steps ♪ ♪ Better run along home ♪ ♪ And avoid the collision ♪ ♪ Even though they don't care, you'll be better off there ♪ ♪ Where there's nothing to choose ♪ ♪ So there's nothing to lose ♪ ♪ So you pry up your shoes ♪ ♪ Then from out of the blue ♪ ♪ And without any guide ♪ ♪ You know what your decision is ♪ ♪ Which is not to decide ♪ ♪ You'll just leave him a clue ♪ ♪ For example ♪ ♪ A shoe ♪ ♪ And then see what he'll do ♪ ♪ Now it's he and not you who is stuck with a shoe ♪ ♪ In a stew ♪ ♪ In the goo ♪ ♪ And you've learned something, too ♪ ♪ Something you never knew ♪ ♪ On the steps of the palace ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Announcer: Thank you for joining us tonight.

The celebration isn't over yet.

Please welcome our student performers back to the stage for the finale.

♪ Oh, I wanna dance with somebody ♪ ♪ I wanna feel the heat with somebody ♪ ♪ Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody ♪ ♪ With somebody who loves ♪ ♪ Me ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Love that music you're playin' ♪ ♪ Got me stompin' and swayin' ♪ ♪ Y'all can go, but I'm stayin' ♪ ♪ It's where I wanna be ♪ ♪ Let me hear some Louis Armstrong licks ♪ ♪ Basie boogie in the mix ♪ ♪ Fab Cab Calloway for kicks ♪ ♪ And leave some room for me ♪ ♪ Yeah, I said leave some room for me ♪ ♪ Play that big fat E flat ♪ ♪ And make my heart go bam bam bam bam ♪ ♪ Bam bam bam bam ♪ ♪ Someone's playin' my song here ♪ ♪ Tellin' me I belong here ♪ ♪ Nothin' 'bout it feels wrong here ♪ ♪ I'm where I wanna be ♪ ♪ Guess my goose has been cooked now ♪ ♪ Irreversibly hooked now ♪ ♪ 'Cause the last time I looked now ♪ ♪ I'm where I wanna be ♪ ♪ I'm where I ♪ ♪ Wanna ♪ ♪ Wanna ♪ ♪ Wanna ♪ ♪ Be!

♪ ♪ Ooh-ga chak-a, ooh-ga, ooh-ga ♪ ♪ Ooh-ga chak-a, ooh-ga, ooh-ga ♪ ♪ I can't stop this feeling ♪ ♪ Deep inside of me ♪ ♪ Oh, you just don't realize ♪ ♪ What you do to me ♪ ♪ Ooh-ga chak-a, ooh-ga, ooh-ga ♪ ♪ Now I hear the music ♪ ♪ Close my eyes, I am rhythm ♪ ♪ In a flash ♪ ♪ It takes hold of my heart ♪ ♪ When you hold me ♪ ♪ In your arms so tight ♪ ♪ You let me know ♪ ♪ Everything's all right ♪ ♪ I'm ♪ ♪ I'm hooked on a feeling ♪ ♪ What a feeling ♪ ♪ I'm high on believing ♪ ♪ Being's believing ♪ ♪ That I can have it all ♪ ♪ Now I'm dancing for my life ♪ ♪ And I'm hooked on it ♪ ♪ Take your passion ♪ ♪ Take your passion ♪ ♪ And make it happen ♪ ♪ Make it happen ♪ ♪ Pictures come alive ♪ ♪ I can dance right through my life ♪ ♪ I'm hooked ♪ ♪ Hooked on a rhythm ♪ ♪ I am rhythm ♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪♪ ♪ See the people walking down the street ♪ ♪ Fall in line just watching all their feet ♪ ♪ They don't know where they wanna go ♪ ♪ But they're walking in time ♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪ See the kids just getting out of school ♪ ♪ All they want is to hang out and be cool ♪ ♪ Hang around till a quarter after twelve ♪ ♪ That's when they fall in line ♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Go-go music really makes us dance ♪ ♪ "Do the Pony" puts us in a trance ♪ ♪ Do the Watusi, just give us a chance ♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪ We got the beat ♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪ Oh, the music really makes us dance ♪ ♪ Drums keep poundin' a rhythm to the brain ♪ ♪ We got it!

♪ ♪ We got the beat ♪ ♪ We got the beat, we got the beat ♪ ♪ We got it!

♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪ And on and on and on and on and ♪ ♪ On, on, on!

♪ ♪ On, on, on!

♪ ♪ On, on, on, on, yeah!

♪ ♪ You can't stop the beat ♪ ♪ Ever since we first saw the sun ♪ ♪ The beat goes on ♪ ♪ A man and woman like to shake it till the day is done ♪ ♪ The beat goes on!

♪ ♪ And so I'm gonna shake and shimmy it ♪ ♪ And have some fun today ♪ ♪ Today ♪ ♪ 'Cause you can't stop the motion ♪ ♪ Of the ocean or the rain from above ♪ ♪ You can try to stop the paradise we're dreaming of ♪ ♪ But you cannot stop the rhythm of two hearts in love to stay ♪ ♪ You can't stop the beat ♪ ♪ It's where I wanna be ♪ ♪ I'm hooked on a feeling ♪ ♪ You can't stop the beat ♪ ♪ I'm hooked on a feeling ♪ ♪ We got the beat ♪ ♪ And the beat goes on ♪ ♪ I wanna dance, and you can't stop the beat!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Funding for this program is provided by Friends, the Iowa PBS Foundation, ACT Inc., the Daniel and Ann Krumm Charitable Trust, supporting programming for citizenship, education, and the arts.

Musco Lighting is honored to support Iowa PBS.

We're an Iowa company that lights local schools, community fields, and stadiums, arenas, and venues in more than 125 countries.

While our reach is global, our commitment is local.

And by the estate of Margaret I. Haupt of Cedar Rapids -- to foster cultural programming and classical music performances on Iowa PBS.