This year, for the first time ever, the Liberty Theater Troupe submitted the 2023 spring musical “Bright Star” to the St. Louis High School Musical Theater Awards. 35 schools in the St. Louis Area have submitted various musicals. Liberty (Wentzville) has been nominated for Outstanding Musical Level 1, and Leading Actress for Anna Wright (12). 

The cast of “Bright Star” will perform at The Fabulous Fox Theater on May 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase May 9 through Metrotix selling at $10. The cast will be performing a song from “Bright Star” as part of a medley with the other outstanding musical nominations. 

The process of submitting the musical started back in August where theater director and teacher Melissa Gehrke sent a submission form: “It was a lot of paperwork,” and she explained that she had to explain things about the productions budget, information about the cast and the crew and give documentation such as photos from the show. Three judges came and saw “Bright Star” across the three nights and since then it’s been a waiting period. From here, Gerke details, “We have to prepare for the award show… we have to submit two different songs, and they will pick one that will better fit the whole medley.” The costumes will have to get to work in pulling out all the costumes from the show as well as the cast attending rehearsals for the awards beginning May 20. 

Brandt Cleppe, a sophomore, who was in the ensemble, commented on how he feels about performing at The Fox theater, “It’s something you don’t think you’d ever get to have, it’s a dream come true.” His sentiments are felt across the whole cast. 

“Bright Star” and the 2022-23 theater season may be coming to a close but it’s the beginning of a new chapter for our theater troupe.