The Perry High School Theater Department will participate in the 2025 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m., the department announced this week.
The PHS appearance will honor the excellence of the school’s April production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
The showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies and produced by the Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of its year-long education initiative, will see 103 high school drama departments judged from across the state.
Olivia Christensen and Ethan Jackson will represent Perry High School by performing in a collaborative inter-school finale medley, led by guest Broadway music director Christopher Littlefield and choreographer Tiger Brown.
PHS’ Hunter Ayers will perform an excerpt from his award-winning role in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as William Barfee.
Perry High School will also be recognized with the following awards and honors:
- Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role: Hunter Ayers as William Barfee
- Special Recognition in a Principal Role: Olivia Christensen as Olive Ostrovsky
- Distinguished Scene” The “I Love You Song”
Tickets to the Showcase start at $15 and are available on the Des Moines Civic Center website, at the center’s ticket office at 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines or by phone at 515-246-2300.
The Awards Showcase will also be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event later this summer on dates to be announced.
