Multiple area high school students will be recognized for their performances in musicals this past academic year at a special event in Des Moines this evening.

Performers from Knoxville, Pella Christian, and Pleasantville have been selected as Iowa High School Musical Theatre award recipients.

Pleasantville’s cast from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” earned Outstanding Overall Performance, while “Disney’s High School Musical” by Knoxville and Pella Christian’s “Les Miserables” earned Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement. Students from all three casts and crews received individual recognition as well.

Tickets are available for the show that begins at 7 p.m. this evening at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Knoxville performer Taryn Johnson, who was honored for Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role, and has qualified to participate in the 2018 Triple Threat Award Program to represent the state of Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City. Other Knoxville awards were given to Lane Franck for Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role, Kaley Iddings and Ben Marti for Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role, and the cast as a whole was given an award for Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement.

Chance Bender, Avery Lauer, and Jack Ray won Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role,; those three will also audition for the opportunity to represent Iowa for the Triple Threat Award program. Jack Lauer won Outstanding Stage Management, while the cast as a whole won Outstanding Overall Performance and received Special Recognition for Ensemble.

Pella Christian’s fall production of Les Misérables with an Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement Award. Thomas Dykstra, Mara Juffer, Colby De Vries, and Emma Stravers received honors for Special Recognition for a Performance in a Principal Role.