News - Avon Lake High School students will Dazzle at theater awards ceremony

Published on May 9, 2024

The atmosphere was electric as the cast and crew, directors, drama boosters, and other supporters gathered in the Dr. Daniel B. Ross Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Avon Lake High School (ALHS) recently to watch the nominations announcement for the 2024 Dazzle Awards.

The Dazzle Awards presented by Pat and John Chapman, affiliated with The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards®, recognize the importance of musical theater and arts education in Northeast Ohio high schools. Public and private high schools located in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties were invited to apply for participation in the Dazzle Awards. This regional program offers arts education opportunities throughout the school year and culminates with the annual awards ceremony.

The ALHS Drama Club’s recent musical production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” received a record-setting 13 Dazzle Award nominations.

“The students, families and friends of ALHS Drama Club are thrilled to have received 13 nominations for the 2024 Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards,” said Patricia Frank, Avon Lake High School Drama Director and PAC Manager. “This is the fourth time the Drama Club has been adjudicated as part of the National High School Music Theatre Awards, also called the Jimmy Awards.”

According to Frank, for the school’s production of “On the Town,” the school received one nomination for Best Costuming. In 2022, the school earned six nominations for “Matilda the Musical”, including AJ Wansack for Best Actor and Kayla Haskins for Best Actress. The school won Best Costuming in 2022.

“Although we received very positive reviews for our 2023 musical, “Legally Blonde”, we did not receive any Dazzles nominations,” she said. “With the unwavering support of our Drama Boosters, the Avon Lake City Schools administration, our incredible staff; and the talented and hardworking cast and crew members, we focused on maintaining an ‘attitude of gratitude’ and repeatedly reminded ourselves that the journey was as important as the destination.”

Beginning in September, dance classes were offered once a week throughout preparations for the school’s fall play. Auditions followed in January with rehearsals three to four days a week. Including cast, crew members, instrumentalists in the orchestra and production assistants, 98 students participated in the presentation of Disney’s, “The Little Mermaid.”

“The musical this year was outstanding,” said Joshua Brunger, ALHS band director. “ Every student improved greatly from last year and was able to take their role to another level. It was a joy and honor to conduct this pit orchestra this year. The cheers during the performances were so loud that I had to stop conducting and plug my ears. It was that loud. The students deserved that loud of an applause because they worked so hard to achieve the level that they did.”

ALHS Chorale Director Emilio Jarufe echoed similar sentiments and praised his fellow directors, as well as the cast.

“While I have worked (and still do) with the ALHS Drama club in the capacity of sound designer/engineer, this year I stepped into the role of music director for the production,” he said. “I was blessed to work with the cast of ‘The Little Mermaid’ in helping them learn their ensemble numbers, as well as working with the leads of the show. It was truly a team effort. Our model for success was that 'EVERY DETAIL MATTERS.’ With this mindset, we approached every single scene as if it was the most important scene in the show. This emboldened even singers with just a few parts to truly take pride in their work. Through the use of recorded listening tracks and multiple hours of rehearsal per week, we were able to accomplish our goal. That goal... put on the best possible show! The added bonus of winning a Dazzle nomination for Best Vocal Ensemble really added to and enforced our idea of ‘process first.’

“As not only their vocal director, but as their choir teacher, I am so proud of this cast,” said Jarufe. “To say they were amazing just doesn't seem enough. They were selfless, collaborative, relentless, and passionate. The musical is truly a music department/drama department success. From Mrs. (Grace) McDougall playing in the Pit, to Mr. (Joshua) Brunger directing the Pit, myself running sound, and Mr. (Dave) and Mrs. (Patty) Frank being our glue, we did it. We had an amazing show, and the students did it in a way that was both cutting edge and competitive, while being inclusive and family-oriented. I am so proud to have had a role in this year's production. I was blessed to be with the directors and students every minute.”

Students and directors will walk the red carpet at the Dazzle Awards Ceremony which takes place May 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the KeyBank State Theatre in downtown Cleveland. For tickets, go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/2024-dazzle-awards-ceremony.

The list of nominees is below:

Best Musical (Tier 2)

Avon Lake High School (Disney’s The Little Mermaid)

Best Actor (2 nominations)

Micah Cabot

(Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid)

AJ Wansack

(Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid)

Best Actress (2 nominations)

Parker Dansizen

(Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid)

Kayla Haskins