The first time in school history, theater was nominated for nine awards for Saint Louis High School Musical Theater Awards also known as SLHSMTA. This was the program’s most awards in school history that they were nominated for.
These awards were announced on May, 1, at 10 a.m. and include best actor, best director, best musical director, best scenic design, best ensemble, best costume design, and best technical execution.
These nominations were for the recent production of Hadestown that took place April 24-26. Liberty was one of the first schools in the region to put on this production due to the recent release of the production rights to Hadestown Jr.
With it being one of the first productions, the program didn’t know what to expect with awards.
“It’s one of those things that you don’t know what the judges think even when you think it’s a good show,” Mak Barnes (11) said.
The group even had to put their own spin on their characters and parts of the show.
“The traditional way to play Hermes is as an older, father figure to Orpheus, I liked to think of him as more of a peer and big brother,” Sam Woollard (9) said. “I didn’t know it was my dream role until I played it.”
Because of the nominations, the group will get to perform at Fox Theater on May 15.
Tyler Bugg (11) and Sam Woollard (9) were nominated for best actor. Bugg and Woollard will be performing a medley to get the final decision. If one of them wins they will be sent to the Jimmy Awards in NYC. Out of 52 schools and 5 actors, Bugg and Woollard were two of them.
“I had been building it up in my mind that I wouldn’t get it so I wouldn’t be disappointed,” Bugg said.
From painting the stone on the floor to building the little details, Avery Bowen (12) and Allena Mitchell (12) were nominated for best scenic design of the musical.
“The set was really good and the effort that went into it so getting the nomination really reflected on that,” Bowen said.
Along with scenic design, technical execution was nominated for Rachel Church (12). Church has been in the theater’s technical crew since her freshman year. “I was shocked,” Church said.
This has been Church’s favorite musical by far in her time in technical crew. “Everything I got to do and the opportunities I got were superior to the others,” Church said.
Co-head of costumes, Clara Walker (12) has been part of the costumes crew since her freshman year and has finally been rewarded with her hard work for the program’s detailed costumes.
“I cannot believe it. Costumes have never been nominated. This is the most costume we’ve ever done,” Walker said. “It’s so surreal. It’s incredible, it feels like everything was worth it. All of the stress was worth it.”
After years of hard work and determination, the program’s crew, actors, and director Melissa Gehrke finally got what they deserved.
“I was so incredibly proud of them and they worked so hard, they deserved it,” Gehrke said, “This was a really hard show and our program has grown so much the past few years.”
Choir teacher Carter Datz was nominated for the second time for best musical director. Last year Datz was nominated and won this award for Twelfth Night. “I’m super proud of the kids for putting their hearts out there,” Datz said. “I feel grateful and proud for this award.”
Congratulations to Liberty Drama for these nominations.
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List of full awards below
- Outstanding Musical
- Best Actor: Sam Woollard & Tyler Bugg
- Best Ensemble
- Best Costume Design: Clara Walker & Emily Nguyen
- Best Scenic Design: Avery Bowen & Allena Mitchell
- Best Technical Execution: Rachel Church
- Best Director
- Best Musical Director : Carter Datz
Sofia juarez | May 21, 2025 at 2:13 pm
My brother Gabriel Segovia did amazing I love my brother . BTW the rest of the cast did amazing
Clara Walker | May 2, 2025 at 7:31 am
This is so well written – thank you for the interview 🙂
Great job!