The cast of Union High School’s spring 2024 production of “Seussical” pictured on the Matt Auditorium stage in La Porte City earlier this year. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LA PORTE CITY – ​​The Union High School theater department will participate in the 2024 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school’s achievements for its March production of “Seussical.”

Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. and will recognize 102 schools from across the entire state.

Union High School’s spring production of Seussical received Outstanding Ensemble honors from the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards (IHSMTA). In addition, cast members Lauren Youngblut (Jojo), Hayden Spore (Horton the Elephant), and Austin Martin (The Cat in the Hat), were recognized for Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role. These three students auditioned and qualified for IHSMTA’s Triple Threat Program, which recognizes outstanding student achievement in acting, singing, and dancing.

“Receiving this award means so much to me,” says Martin. “It’s an honor just to be nominated for the Triple Threat program, and the chance to participate in the program is even more so. I have great admiration for how Union has always been represented in the showcase of outstanding achievement from all over the state. I’m proud to be a part of it alongside my cast members.”

In addition to a special performance at the showcase, these students will audition for theater camp scholarships and the opportunity to represent Iowa at the Jimmy Awards, or National High School Musical Theatre Awards, in New York City this summer. They will collaborate with New York City-based professionals and work alongside other accepted outstanding student performers from around the state to prepare a special medley designed to showcase the upper echelon of performers from the state of Iowa.

Two cast members also received Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role: Clara Carlson as Gertrude McFuzz and Erica Hoppe as Mayzie LaBird. Union’s spring musical is directed jointly by Korina Carlson and Casey Tecklenburg. Other members of the production team include Mike Bistline as director of the pit band, Jennifer Bistline as rehearsal accompanist, and Patrick Carew as choreographer.

Tickets to the Showcase, which start at $15, will go on sale on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 10 a.m. at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.

The Awards Showcase will be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event later this summer on dates to be announced.