MADISON — Overture Center for the Arts announced May 18 that cast and crew members from Monroe High School have been nominated for awards through its Jerry Awards program. This is the 13th year the high school has participated in the Jerry Awards.
The program, named after Madison-area philanthropist and arts supporter W. Jerome Frautschi, encourages and recognizes student excellence in musical theater. Seventy-nine high schools and community theaters from 23 Wisconsin counties participated in this year’s Jerry Awards.
Monroe High School’s production of “SEUSSICAL” received the following nominations:
● Keeley Mulligan (Cat in the Hat), EJ Jordan (Horton), Lilly Cherney (Gertrude), and Bella Brunton (Mayzie) were all nominated for Outstanding Lead Performer awards.
● Hayden Jackson (Jojo), Lilian Saunders (Sour Kangaroo), Dorian Ryan (Mr. Mayor), and Kaitlyn Elgin (Mrs. Mayor) were nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Role category.
● The production also received nominations for Outstanding Scenic Design (Brenda Davis and Alex Sutter), Outstanding Lighting Design (Jenny Bochar), Outstanding Costume Design (Brenda Davis), and Outstanding Stage Crew.
On May 13, it was announced that Lilly Cherney was selected as a recipient of an Outstanding Lead Performer award and Lilian Saunders received an Outstanding Supporting Role award and the Spirit Award. Both will be performing on the Overture stage June 12 in the Jerry Awards program.
“We’re thrilled to announce 400-plus award recipients this year within the 85 productions around the state in 75 communities of varying sizes and theater programs with varying budgets,” said Tim Sauers, Overture’s chief artistic experiences officer. “After a two-year pause, it was amazing to get out and see musical theater performed in high schools around the state. This year, the cast, crew and production teams navigated new challenges, and everyone rose to the occasion. We look forward to celebrating their work in Overture Hall in June.”
The Jerry Awards is a high school musical awards program that encourages, recognizes and honors excellence in high school musical theater. The program began in the 2009-10 school year with 23 productions within 45 miles of Madison and has since expanded across the state through partnerships with Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, The Grand Theater and Viterbo Fine Arts Center. Educators and industry professionals review productions at Wisconsin high schools and/or community theater organizations and provide valuable feedback to students. In its first decade, the Jerry Awards engaged more than 700,000 students, teachers, theater professionals and community members.
Participation statistics for the 2021/22 season:
● 85 productions
● 79 schools/community theater organizations
● Almost 30 schools are represented in the 50 Outstanding Lead Performance Award recipients
● 23 counties
● 40 reviewers (three reviewers attended each production)
● 550+ students performing in annual awards shows in Overture Hall
● 8,500 people involved in the Jerry Awards through engagement with their local high school musical
The program elevates the importance of musical theater within high schools. Students at participating high schools can also participate in The Jerry Ensemble, become student critics and receive special ticket deals to performances at Overture Center, The Marcus Performing Arts Center, The Grand Theater and the Fine Arts Center at Viterbo University.
The 2021-22 Jerry Awards program will culminate in a show honoring student and school achievements, including performances by the Outstanding Award recipients, in Overture Hall on Sunday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. Two outstanding performers will be selected to represent the program at The National High School Musical Theater Awards (Jimmy Awards) competition in New York City.
Overture’s Jerry Awards are sponsored by Old National Bank with additional funding provided by American Girl’s Fund for Children, Katie Dowling-Marcus and Ben Marcus and contributions to Overture Center.