Wisconsin S High School Musical Stars Shine in the 2015 Tommy Awards

Oct. 19, 2015 For More Information: Jonna Mayberry, WPT publicist, 608-263-3364, [email protected] Megan Aley, YPI project manager, 608-263-1332, [email protected] Steve Doebel, WPT producer, 608-263-6855, [email protected]

Full program video: “The 2015 Tommy Awards” http://video.wpt.org/video/2365584944/

Wisconsin’s High School Musical Stars Shine in The 2015 Tommy Awards Wisconsin’s best and brightest high school musical theater performers take to the stage in Wisconsin Public Television’s (WPT) broadcast of The 2015 Tommy Awards. The one-hour program, featuring highlights from the annual awards show, premieres 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 on WPT and on Milwaukee Public Television (MPTV-36.1) 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and is streaming online now at wpt.org. The 2015 Tommy Awards celebrates excellence in musical theater and features award- winning performances and production numbers from full high school musical casts, and lead and supporting performers. The annual event was held at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts in June. “The 2015 Tommy Awards features highlights from some of the state’s most talented high school students performing their hearts out on stage,” said WPT producer Steve Doebel. “This is their Super Bowl. WPT and the Overture Center for the Arts are proud to share these students’ work with a statewide audience.” The 2015 Tommy Awards is part of WPT’s multiyear Young Performers Initiative, which celebrates Wisconsin’s young artists and those who inspire them. The Overture Center’s Tommy Awards program is an education initiative that recognizes, honors and encourages excellence in musical theater production among area high school students. The Tommy Awards are named in honor of local musical theater hero Tom Wopat, a critically acclaimed and Tony Award-nominated singer and actor from Lodi. Funding for The 2015 Tommy Awards is provided by Julie and Larry Midtbo, Mary Ellyn and Joe Sensenbrenner, A. Paul Jones Charitable Trust and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television. -MORE-

THE 2015 TOMMY AWARDS/add one A service of the MADISON ECB and UWEX provide Access releases and images Educational Communications 821 University Ave. equal opportunities for programs online in Board and University Madison, WI 53706 in employment and the WPT Press Room and University of Phone 608.263.2121 programming, including http://www.wpt.org/pressroom Wisconsin-Extension Fax 608.263.9763 Title IX requirements WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin- Extension. Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire. -END-

A service of the MADISON ECB and UWEX provide Access releases and images Educational Communications 821 University Ave. equal opportunities for programs online in Board and University Madison, WI 53706 in employment and the WPT Press Room and University of Phone 608.263.2121 programming, including http://www.wpt.org/pressroom Wisconsin-Extension Fax 608.263.9763 Title IX requirements