It was another win for the LBHS Theatre program at the Spirit of the MACY Awards show on June 1. In fact, the LBHS Theatre program secured 18 awards at the MACY Awards, ranking among the Top 10 Musicals in Orange County with their production of “9 to 5,” competing against some stiff competition. The biggest win went to our very own showstopper, Lauren Norrix, who won Best Actress in a Musical and earned a spot at the Jimmy Awards in New York City on June 23. Following her win, the audience enjoyed her tear-jerking rendition of ‘Get Out” from 9 to 5. Patty Tacklind, one of the LBHS Theatre Booster Co-chairs, remarked, “Lauren’s performance was flawless and absolutely incredible.”  

The LBHS Theatre Spirit of the MACY Awards included Bright Spot awards for ensemble excellence: Catherine Jordan and Eliana Seven Merrit; special recognition for the LBHS Theatre boys’ ensemble: Luke Donaldson, Oliver Rankin, Frederic M. Butler, James Jordan, Tristan Le and Callan Wheaton. Mallory Keller won an achievement award for being amazing in a minor role. Outstanding Achievement Awards for larger roles went to Mason Bruderer and Joe Joe Lieber, while the Highest Achievement Awards were awarded to Maris Morgan, Lauren Norrix, Sam Doshi O’Neill, and Lila Tacklind. Additionally, Maris Morgan and Lauren Norrix were both nominated for Best Actress in a Musical.

The Spirit of the MACY Awards was founded in 1969. The top 10% of performers nominated from high school musical theatre productions across the country receive this prestigious award for demonstrating the highest level of professionalism. Often referred to as a “Triple Threat,” these students consistently perform well above the norm for high school theatre. From these performers, the Spirit of the MACY Awards committee selects finalists to compete for Performer of the Year and the Jimmy Award Competition in New York City. This is the equivalent of the Oscars of high school musical theatre.

The Laguna Beach High School Theatre program received several nominations at the Cappies Awards Gala on May 18.

In the category of Marketing and Publicity in a Play, “Trap” and “9 to 5” earned nominations for Maris Morgan, Sam Doshi O’Neill, Mallory Keller and Lauren Norrix. Morgan and Catherine Jordan were also nominated for Choreography in a Play for their work on “Trap.”

Anna Sandquist and Rita Capano received nominations for Stage Management in a Musical for “9 to 5.” Sam Doshi O’Neill was nominated for Cameo Actress in a Play for her role as the Real Kenosha in “Trap.”

Lauren Norrix earned a nomination for Female Vocalist for her performance as Judy Bernly in “9 to 5” while Joe Joe Lieber was nominated for Male Vocalist for his portrayal of Joe. Maris Morgan received an additional nomination for Supporting Actress in a Musical for her role as Doralee Rhodes in “9 to 5/”

At the Cappies, the winners included Anna Sandquist and Rita Capano for Stage Management (9 to 5): Maris Morgan, Lauren Norrix, Mallory Keller, and Sam Doshi O’Neill for Marketing and Publicity (9 to 5); and Best Female Vocalist, Lauren Norrix (9 to 5).  Additionally, Mason Bruderer, Mallory Keller, and Amelie Ford were commended for their outstanding performances in 9 to 5.

Orange County Cappies is a student-driven organization based in Washington, D.C. that organizes students throughout the country to attend each other’s local high school productions and write reviews on them. There is a very robust group in Orange County.

The Jimmy Awards are the National High School Musical Theatre Awards and a celebration of outstanding student achievement in vocal, dance and acting. The Broadway League Foundation presents them and emphasizes the salience of theatre arts education in schools.

Why these achievements are such a big deal is also worth mentioning. To be awarded for your hard work and dedication is usually well-received. These theatre students come together from different groups and work countless hours while balancing all their other commitments including academics, sports, clubs, jobs and family and need to meld as the “winniest” team under the direction of one or a couple of teachers balancing similar obligations and pretty much, put on a great show seven times in a row.

Some could say it’s the equivalent of having seven playoffs in a row. As with sporting events, these kids are highly scrutinized, judged, critiqued (and publicly reviewed by their peers) and no matter what, need to come out the next night “on top of their games.” They need to work together as a team, whether they like each other or not, and genuinely support one another while performing on stage so that everyone looks good. That isn’t easy at any level. 

Additionally, although Laguna Beach is an old artists’ colony with a rich art history in both the fine and performing arts, the LBHS Theatre program is a small one, casting from a small population. LBHS Theatre is winning these awards and receiving these nominations against much larger schools with larger populations and more extensive resources. All of these accolades are truly remarkable achievements, especially when considered in that context, and they need to be acknowledged.

The teachers leading the way include two of the newest staff members, Meghan Minguez-Marshall and Lindsay Parker.