Saturday, May 15Th

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SATURDAY, MAY 15TH - 7:00 PM Live & Livestream at Arts Express Theatre THE MONTE AWARDS SATURDAY, MAY 15TH - 7:00 PM Live & Live-streamed from the Arts Express Theatre

THE PROGRAM

“Magic to Do” ...... Semi-finalists from the musical PIPPIN Welcome ...... Charlie Hall, Host The Finalists Learn Order of Performance ...... The Finalists A Tribute to Monte Ralstin ...... Charlie Hall The Finalists Perform ...... The Finalists The Coach’s Audition ...... Chris Will & Chach Snook INTERMISSION “A Musical” ...... Charlie Hall from the musical SOMETHING ROTTEN! The Jimmy Awards ...... Video provided by The Broadway League About Arts Express ...... Karen Wiese “Raise You Up - Just Be” ...... Semi-finalists from the musical KINKY BOOTS ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AWARD WINNERS The Spirit Award Best Up and Coming Actor and Actress Best Actress Best Actor

PIPPIN - Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. By Roger O. Hirson & Bob Fosse SOMETHING ROTTEN! - Music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick KINKY BOOTS - Music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. Book by Harvey Fierstein MONTE RALSTIN

“Art may be beautiful, ugly or bold – but never selfish.” - Monte Ralstin The Southern Arizona High School Musical Theatre Awards Program is named in honor of beloved Teacher, Director, and Mentor, Monte Ralstin. Monte passed away at the age of 66 on January 22, 2019, leaving a legacy of dedication to excellence in performing arts education. For over five years Monte played a significant role in the development of thie awards program, serving as an adjudicator, vocal coach and then Director and Host of the Awards program.

THANK YOU! THE SHOW MUST GO ON! NOW, more than ever, our Southern Arizona theatre students needed an outlet to express themselves artistically, and get recognition for all that they have achieved. Thank you to the many generous donors who heard the call and contributed to this year’s Monte Awards! We still have a distance to go to cover our costs for this year’s “theatre boot camp” and awards show. If you are able to help, please consider making a donation. It’s easy to help: visit www.arts-express.org/monte-awards/ and click on the donate button or mail your check to PMB 138, 4729 E. Sunrise Dr. 85718 WHO’S WHO - ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION

Program Founder – Lendre Kearns José “Chach” Snook, Producer/Executive Director – Karen Wiese Music Director Assistant Producer/Livestream Designer & José “Chach” Snook has Videographer – Ben Wiese performed in 46 states Director – Christopher Will and 13 countries and lived Music Director – Jose “Chach” Snook in NYC as a professional Choreographer – Simone Jolivet Manuel singer/actor appearing Stage Manager – Mary Davis and touring in a number of Sound Designer & Engineer – Tyler Berg shows. As well as being a voice teacher and Technical Director – Michael Dunn acting coach, he has been seen singing with Lighting Designer & Engineer- Michael Sorensen Khris Dodge Entertainment, Mr. Bing’s Supper Accompanist – Khris Dodge Club, The 4GENTS, and in various musicals in Assistant Stage Manager/Mic Wrangler – Tucson. Chach has received 6 MAC Nomina- Frankie Corey-Gelb tions for acting, directing and best musical Assistant Stage Manager – Alejandra Becerra during his tenure in Tucson. Chach has a Vocal Spot Operator – Nathan Saiffer Performance degree from Northern Arizona House Manager – Isabel Sneva University and was the choir and drama Volunteer Coordinator – Wendy Waltrip teacher at Flowing Wells Jr. High for 12 years Judge Wranger - Lendre Kearns where he directed over 20 plays and musicals. Assistant Judge Wrangler - Soozie Hazen Currently he is an Arts Integration Specialist with TUSD’s Opening Minds Through the Arts. THANK YOU! In 2013, he was named a Top 5 Teacher of the Special thanks to ALL our volunteers Year for Arizona and in 2016 he was named for the countless hours they spent in Latino Teacher of the Year. making this production possible! Simone Jolivet-Manuel, Chris Will, Director Choreographer Chris Will has been direct- Simone Jolivet-Manuel, a ing, teaching and perform- member of that rare breed ing musicals all around the of Tucsonans actually born world for the past 20 years, in Tucson. She received including two Off-Broadway her BA from Northern shows (Time Being and The Arizona University and Jungle Queen Debutante). her M.Ed in Elementary Education. Simone He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the began dancing at the age of 7, she continued University of Wyoming in Theatre & Dance and training over the years with workshops and continued his education in the United King- conventions across the country with high-end dom, earning his Masters of Performance in choreographers - Savion Glover, Mandy Moore, Musical Theatre from The Royal Conservatoire Paula Abdul, JT Hornstein, Denise Leitner and of Scotland and received an MFA in directing many others. Currently Simone is in her 13th form the University of Idaho. Chris Will loves year at Salpointe Catholic High School and teaching and is a theater professor at Pima 5th year choreographing for Arts Express. Community College. He starred as Neville in Simone’s professional achievements include the Arts Express production of A Secret Garden work with Salpointe Pomline, Dance Force - 1 and is the resident director for the company’s Productions, Gaslight Theater and Danswest Monte Awards program. Productions and the 2001, 2005 and 2009 THE JIMMY AWARDS

Link Cotillions. She thanks her husband Scot, The Jimmy Awards®/The National High children Lincoln and Maxine and her mother, School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) for their support and love. program impacts more than 100,000 students who participate in high school musical theatre Mary Davis, competitions sponsored by presenters of Stage Manager Touring Broadway productions throughout the With over 25 years in the United States. theater, acting, directing and stage managing both Presented by the Broadway community and equity League Foundation, the productions, Mary is grate- program sends a Best ful to have found a place Actress and Best Actor to live her dream in stage management. After winner from each of wandering from theater to theater in Delaware these competitions to and Tucson, she is blessed to join Arts Express New York for a week Theatre, where passion, talent, and a respect long theatre intensive for theater thrive. When not managing, she is of coaching and a freelance writer with her own company, The rehearsals with Write Attitude. industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only talent showcase on Broadway. Carlos “Charlie” Hall - Host Named for Broadway impresario James M. Tucson-born entertainer Nederlander, the program has been the Carlos “Charlie” Hall is catalyst for more than $2,000,000 in thrilled to return to perform educational scholarships. with Arts Express. He was most recently in AE’s The 2020 Jimmy Awards were cancelled as a Something Rotten! (Nos- precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In tradamus). He is a regular with The Gaslight 2021, the Awards will be a virtual experience Theatre since 2006 and earned a BFA in for our BEST ACTOR and BEST ACTRESS. Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona Produced by Arts Express and Broadway in where he also holds a double Minor in Film/TV Tucson, The Monte Awards are a division of & Music. Charlie dedicates much of his time the NHSMTA. This program was established in producing creative collaborations across the 2013 to elevate the importance of theatre arts arts — especially in music and film — via his education in Southern Arizona schools and company, Magdalena Productions. He holds reward excellence in student performance. great pride and love for his Latino heritage and This year, since many schools were unable is always striving for better connections across to undertake musical theatre productions, cultural and artistic borders. “Nothing beats student actors and actresses were invited to family and friends. Luz y Fuerza!” submit a video audition utilizing one of the @MrCharlieHall @MagdalenaProductions songs on the list provided by the NHSMTA. Thanks to Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre! WHO’S WHO - THE NOMINEES

KEIRA ALEJANDRO (Hot Mikado), Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda), and Elle Moutain View High School Woods (Legally Blonde). Aliyah thanks her drama Keira Alejandro loves nothing teacher Mary Dickson, her voice teacher Stevie Fox, more than to perform, her favor- and all of her amazing friends and family for always ite shows including Freaky Friday supporting her! (Katherine), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Ol- RILEY FALKOFF ive). The biggest thank you to her mom, and also to Ironwood Ridge High School her teachers Ms. Kerstetter and Kaitlin Bertanshaw Riley loves performing more than who have always seen the best in her! anything else in the world! This includes film work (LA & New SAMANTHA BEEMER York), being a violinist, and cast Rio Rico High School in theatre productions including Samantha Beemer is a senior Curtains, Puffs, Broadway Showcase, & Matilda at Rio Rico High School. Some (high school), Big River (Jackson Hole Playhouse), of her previous roles include: CGTV/TCE showcases (LA’s Hudson Theaters), and James and the Giant Peach Sweeney Todd & A Christmas Carol (Arts Express). (Sponge), Little Shop of Horrors Thanks to my incredible friends for being there (Audrey), and Something Rotten! (Ensemble/Portia for me and to my family for putting up with my US). She is currently training vocally with Elizabeth screeching all the time. Wells and dancing on the Hawx Dance Team. ISABEL FINLEY JULIA DARLING SNOOK Salpointe Catholic High Tanque Verde High School School Julia Darling Snook has recently Isabel Finley is a Junior at Sal- performed in Sweeney Todd for pointe Catholic High School and Arts Express. The role she is has been singing since before most proud of is Schwartzy in she could talk. She has been in The 25th Annual Putnam County many productions with Salpointe, but her favorite Spelling Bee. She would like to thank her family and so far is the life-changing role in the production her second family; her Thespian Troupe. of Bang Bang Your Dead. Thank you to my loving parents, hard-working directors, and above all God SAVANA DORAME for these amazing opportunities. Ironwood Ridge High School Savana Dorame is a Freshman LARKYN FOSTER at Ironwood High School and University High School has been in 12 musical theater Larkyn Foster has been perform- productions. She has been in ing with CYT since she was a commercial and a voice over seven. Her favorite roles include for a children’s book. Thank you to my Mom, Dad, James in James and the Giant Danae and David. Peach, Charlotte in Cinderella, Ellie in Freaky Friday, and Miss Hannigan in Annie. ALIYAH DOUGLAS She would like to thank her family, friends, and Ironwood Ridge High School voice teacher, Michael Chaffin. Aliyah is a Junior and loves theatre more than anything! She won first place in the Interna- tional Hal Leonard Vocal Com- petition and the Cal-Western National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions. Her most notable roles include Yum Yum WHO’S WHO - THE NOMINEES

REID FOSTER ELLA INGOLD University High School Ironwood Ridge High School Reid Foster is a Sophomore at Ella Ingold, a Freshman at UHS and has been performing Ironwood Ridge High School is since he was eight. His favorite so excited to be playing the role roles include Doctor Dolittle in of Matilda Wormwood in Matilda Doctor Dolittle, Prince Topher in the Musical. Some of her favorite Cinderella, and Horton in Seussical. He would like to past roles she has performed include Belle (Beauty thank his family, friends, and voice teacher, Michael and the Beast Jr.) and Ariel (The Little Mermaid Chaffin, for their love and support. Jr.). She would like to thank her family and director Mary Dickson for supporting her. OLIVIA GOEHRING Ironwood Ridge High School SYDNEY JACKMAN Olivia Goehring goes to Ironwood Walden Grove High School Ridge High School and has loved Sydney has participated in over partaking in Theatre for 5 years 13 productions through various now. Olivia’s favorite role thus organizations and in various far has been Princess Jasmine roles. She played the lead in from Aladdin. More than anything she has loved Waldens Grove High School’s dancing in the musical Curtains with Ironwood. She Superior ranked One-Act play, she received a loves spending her time volunteering with her for- superior ranking for her musical theatre solo, and mer youth theatre group. Olivia would like to thank she placed second in the branch section of the ESU her director, Mary Dickson, her former director, Jen Shakespeare Competition. She hopes to do much Holthaus, her parents, and you! more theater in the future.

MACY HANSEN LANCE JACOBSON Ironwood Ridge High School Catalina Foothills High Macy Hansen is a Junior at School Ironwood Ridge High School in Lance Jacobson has performed Tucson. She has enjoyed musi- in over a dozen shows with CYT cal theatre her whole life. Her Tucson. Most notably, Lefou in favorite roles are Miss Honey Beauty and the Beast, Mr. Mayor from Matilda and Hannah/Xavia from Puffs. She is in Seussical and Mathew in Doctor Dolittle. He was thankful to her friends and family for supporting her. also cast as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda before the COVID lockdown. He wants to thank his family. KENDALL HICKS Ironwood Ridge High School CLAIRE LISAK Kendall Hicks is a Junior at Ironwood Ridge High School Ironwood Ridge High School. Claire Lisak is beyond excited to Some of her past favorite roles get this amazing opportunity. She include Lady Macbeth in Shake- has had a love for theatre ever speare’s Macbeth and Kaliope in since she was part of a produc- Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters. She would like to tion of Annie in 4th grade. She thank her family, friends, drama teacher, and vocal has played Gabriella Montez in High School Musical, coach for their never-ending support! and currently, is playing Hortensia in Matilda the Musical. WHO’S WHO - THE NOMINEES

JANE LUI DAVID QUINETTE Desert Christian High School Desert Christian High School Jane Lui is a Senior at Desert David Quinette is a Freshman at Christian High School. Recent Desert Christian High School. He credits include Ti Moune (Once has been singing since he was on this Island), U.S. Cinderella five and has loved every moment (Cinderella), and U.S. Mabel of it. His past favorite roles he (Pirates of Penzance). Jane will be studying Musical has played includes; Warbucks from Annie and Lord Theatre in college. Infinite thanks to Mom, Dad, Pinkleton from Cinderella. He wants to give a huge Stephanie Fox, Tim Evanicki, Adam Kaplan, and thanks to all his family and friends for all the sup- DansWest. port they have given him in his singing journey.

AIDEN MCCOY BLAINE ROBINSON Ironwood Ridge High School Home Schooled Aiden McCoy is a Junior at Iron- Blaine Robinson is a Junior wood Ridge High School. Some in high school and has been of his favorite past roles include involved in theater for seven Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, years through HEY Productions, Cedric/Mr. Voldy in Puffs, Warren Walden Grove, and CYT. Blaine’s in Ordinary Days, and Ken Gorman in Rumors. He favorite roles include Shrek (Shrek the Musical) and would like to thank his director and family. Jafar (Aladdin). He would like to thank his family for always supporting him and keeping life fun. KATHERINE MOSELEY Salpointe Catholic High JAMES WORTH School University High School Katherine Moseley has been James Wroth is still kicking performing at Salpointe Catholic himself (with the leg he broke High for two years. She was last onstage) for not getting into seen as Wednesday Addams and musicals until 8th grade. His is currently in ‘All in The Timing’. She has performed favorite roles were William Bar- at Live Theatre Workshop and numerous musicals fée in a student-run production of The 25th Annual at St. Michael’s. She would like to thank her family Putnam County Spelling Bee and Will Parker/Jud Fry for all their support. (Simultaneously) in Oklahoma! Couldn’t have done any of it without your help, dad. ABBY PEYTON Ironwood Ridge High School Abby Peyton is a Junior at Iron- wood Ridge High School. She has appeared in Annie as Annie, Rumors as Cassie, Curtains as Bambi, and Matilda in Matilda. Abby would like to thank her family and Mary Dickson. Abby is VP of the Musical Theatre Club and is a Thespian. THE ADJUDICATORS

THE ADJUDICATION PROCESS: THANK YOU GETTING TO SEMI-FINALISTS ADJUDICATION TEAMS! Many thanks to our teams of adjudicators The journey began with 54 video applica- who donated their time and extraordinaty tions. After weeks of workshops, all talents to adjudicate our student performers. participants submitted two addition videos: dance video and actor monologue. the creative team (Chris Will, Chach Snook ADJUDICATORS FOR and Simone Jolivet-Manuel) narrowed THE SEMI-FINALS the group to 23 semi-finalists. Eric Holtan AND THEN...TO FINALISTS Lendre Kearns Mickael Nugent Semi-finalists underwent several weeks of coaching, classes and workshops after which Cynthia Stokes they submitted a new video recording of their Susan Lane Stokes song for adjudication. These adjudicators nar- Susan Thibodeaux rowed the group to 11 finalists. The students were notified of their standing as finalists in a ADJUDICATORS FOR Zoom meeting last week. They will not know TONIGHT’S FINALS the order in which they will perform until the Nancy Davis Booth opening of envelopes during the live perfor- Mario DiVetta mance. Steven Higgenbotham THE WINNERS ARE... Matthew Holter The finalists will perform live tonight and will Cathy Simon be adjudicated for this performance during Hank Stratton the show.

ABOUT AWARDS TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS There are five student awards presented: THE SPIRIT AWARD BEST UP AND COMING ACTOR AND ACTRESS BEST ACTOR BEST ACTRESS In addition to the student awards, the Monte Awards typically award high school productions in several categories: BEST MUSICAL, BEST DIRECTION, BEST CREATIVE ELEMENTS and BEST UP-AND-COMING. Unfortunately, as a result of remote learning at many schools, few schools were able to present musicals, so we were unable to present awards to the schools this year.

EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL THEATRE AND ARTS EDUCATION With 38 years of service in Southern Arizona, Arts Express is dedicated to building a better community through the arts! Through arts education and musical theatre, programming is provided for people of all ages. MUSICAL THEATRE The mission of Arts Express is to build AND CONCERTS character, strengthen community, LET FREEDOM SING and celebrate culture through July 3rd & 4th 2021 the power of the arts. A CHORUS LINE July 23- August 1 Arts Express has earned a reputation for the qual- DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS, ity of its productions. Excellence is achieved through THE MUSICAL recruitment and retention of a high caliber production August 20 - 29 A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO team and cast members, involving professionals and LOVE AND MURDER students in a collaborative creative process. Using October 22-31 Master Classes, Cast/Crew Mentoring and Administra- WHITE CHRISTMAS tive Internships, these productions place the student December 3 - 19 elbow-to-elbow with professionals, providing OLIVER opportunities to learn problem-solving and leadership February 18 - 27 RENT skills while gaining experience in all aspects of March 25 - April 3 creating, producing, financing and marketing a show. TITANIC Eighty-six percent of Arts Express students need April 22 - May 1 financial assistance to participate. With your support, PERFORMING ARTS we strive to reach the under-served, so that EDUCATION EVERYONE can experience the life-changing potential YEAR-ROUND PERFORMING of the arts. ARTS CLASSES (all ages) Help us build a better community THE MONTE AWARDS through the arts. Donate Today! (grades 9-12) May 15 Donations may be made online at AE KIDS & TEENS SUMMER www.arts-express.org CAMPS & INTENSIVES or mailed to Arts Express, (grades K-12) including PMB 138, 4729 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson 85718 DISNEY’S or by phone (520) 319-0400. THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. June 14 - 25 Arts Express is a 501 (c) 3 organization: Ages 8 - 14 Tax ID #86-0941657 BROADWAY’SGENERATION! NEXT GENERATION! Two students from our program will join teens from across the U.S. to compete for top honors in a one-night-only showcase at the

WATCH ONLINE JULY 15 at JimmyAwards.com @JimmyAwards

PRESENTED BY BROADWAY IN TUCSON A NEDERLANDER PRESENTATION Broadway In Tucson/A Nederlander Presention is part of the nationally recognized Nederlander Producing Company of America. Broadway In Tucson’s debut season opened in September 2004 with the Arizona Premiere of Movin’ Out at the Tucson Music Hall. Since then, BIT has brought more 1,300,000 patrons to the touring Broadway experience. In 2006, BIT broke box office records with six wildly successful weeks of Disney’s The Lion King; the audience of 83,000 makes it the most well-attended longest- running production in Tucson theatre history! In 2010 BIT partnered with UA Presents for a three-week sold out engagement of the block- buster musical Wicked at UA Centennial Hall which led to a new collaboration with UA Presents as the home of Broadway In Tucson. In 2013, BIT announced its new relationship with UA Presents and celebrated its 10th Anniver- sary in its new venue. Since then, each Centennial Hall season has included 5 - 6 full week shows as well as several special events. In March, 2020 Broadway in Tucson, like all other North American presenters had to cease performances because of the rising COVID pandemic. It was recently announced performances will resume in November 2021, with a six play season and a record five special events. The 21/22 Season will offer the greatest number of performances in a single season since Broadway In Tucson’s inception. For more information, visit broadwayintucson.com. The 20-21 Season!

Tbe Monte Awards – May 15 Let Freedom Sing – July 3 & 4 A Chorus Line – July 23 - August 1 Disney’s Descendants: The Musical – Aug. 20 - 29 A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder – Oct. 22 - 31 White Christmas – December 3 - 19 Oliver – February 18 - 27 Rent – March 25 - April 3 Titanic – April 22 - May 1 Don’t miss a single moment! Tickets and information: (520) 319-0400 - www. arts-express.org