The City of McAllen- Convention Center in partnership with the McAllen Performing Arts Center (MPAC) held their 2nd Annual Palms Theater Awards breakfast on Wednesday, February 6, 2019. This organization’s mission is to foster the love of the arts locally by awarding recognition and offering support to high school theater communities in Hidalgo County.
Veterans Memorial High School theater production of “Mamma Mia” received three nominations and they include: Best Lighting, Best Choreography and Best Sound Design.
Mission High School’s production of the “Shrek” two nominations which include: Best Costume Design of a Musical, and Best Featured Performer in a Musical – Krystal Gonzalez. They also received 11 nominations for their Play of “The 39 Steps” which include: Best Costume Design of a Play, Best Lighting of a Play, Best Technical Crew of a Play, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Sound Design of a Play, Best Ensemble of a Play, Best Actor in a Supporting Role of a Play – Dyllon De Leon, Best Actor in a Supporting Role of a Play – Sebastian Trejo, Best Actor in a Leading Role of a Play – Ivan Gonzalez, Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play – Alondra Gonzalez, and Best Production of a Play.
“This is an amazing event and to see that so many of our students received nominations in various categories just validates their hard work,” said Dr. Carol Perez, Mission CISD Superintendent. “There is so much talent here in the Rio Grande Valley and I am looking forward to the performances at the awards ceremony.”
Over 25 schools in the Rio Grande Valley were considered as nominees for each of the categories. MCISD walked away with a total of five nominations in the musical category and another 11 nominations in the Play category. Theater students along with Theater Directors Mr. John Hodgson and Mr. Adrian Guerrero anxiously await the awards ceremony which is scheduled for Sunday, April 7, 2019.
The theater arts community along with City of McAllen-Convention Center and MPAC strive to enhance the awareness and importance of theater arts education. They also wanted to honor the hard work and commitment of the students by recognizing their accomplishments in high school theater.
Pictured are Mr. Carlos Garcia (Fine Arts Director), Mr. James A. Hodgson (VMHS Theater Director), Mr. Adrian Guerrero (MHS Theater Director), Heather Sanchez (MHS Theater Director), Dr. Carol G. Perez (MCISD Superintendent), Jose Guadalupe Hernandez (Assistant Director for Drama/Art), Mrs. Cynthia Wilson (Executive Director of Secondary Education), and Dr. Sharon Roberts (Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction).