June 3, 2021

Nominees for the 10th Annual Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards (DSM HSMTA) were announced in May. This year's awards ceremony will be presented as a virtual livestream on June 11 featuring performances and acceptance speeches by nominees and winners.

Patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, the DSM HSMTA celebrates the power of the arts and its ability to significantly improve all areas of education. The annual DSM HSMTA recognizes artistic and educational achievements of North Texas students and their high school programs. A total of 41 performances from 39 participating high schools were evaluated by a diverse group of highly qualified judges from the North Texas theater community.

“We are thrilled to be recognizing the hard work and talent of students and teachers across North Texas for the 10th year in a row,” says Ken Novice, president of Dallas Summer Musicals. “DSM is so proud of this year’s participants who, although faced with the challenges of the pandemic, kept the spirit of musical theatre alive through their productions. It’s truly an honor to celebrate everyone involved. Congratulations to all of the 2021 nominees!”

Awards will be presented in 15 categories and scholarships are awarded to outstanding graduating seniors who are nominated by their teachers and selected by the DSM scholarship panel. Through funds raised by private donations, DSM HSMTA will award $55,000 in cash scholarships to continue to foster the great talent North Texas has to offer. To date, DSM HSMTA College Scholarship program has awarded more than $400,000 in cash scholarships to deserving students.

Plano ISD DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards Nominees

Plano East Senior High School – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

• Best choreography
• Best music direction
• Best ensemble
• Best actor: Josh Quidilla
• Best actress: Hannah Rhodes
• Best supporting actress: Emily Starkweather
• Best featured performer: Saara Sastry

Plano Senior High, Pipin

• Best musical
• Best direction
• Best choreography
• Best lighting design
• Best ensemble
• Best actress: Shantel Williams
• Best supporting actor: Jack Espinosa