Knoxville High School’s theater department participated in the 2023 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school’s achievements for its March production of CHICAGO:Teen Edition

Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase was held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. and it recognized a total of 94 schools from across the entire state.

Madilynn Day-Suhr and Taylor Newendorp represented Knoxville by performing in a collaborative inter-school medley led by a guest Broadway music director and choreographer.

Kailan Ethell and Hayden Hudson performed an excerpt from their award-winning role in CHICAGO as Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart.

Kailan Ethell, Hayden Hudson and Mason Hatch also participated in the Triple Threat Award program with other advanced performing students. In addition to a special performance at the showcase, students will audition for theater camp scholarships and the opportunity to represent Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City this summer.

Knoxville was recognized with the following awards and honors:

Outstanding Musical Production, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role Hayden Hudson for Roxie Hart, Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role Kailan Ethell for Velma Kelly, Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role Mason Hatch for Billy Flynn

The Awards Showcase was live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event on Friday, July 14 at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 16 at 1:00 p.m.