Perry High School theater department will participate in the 2025 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school’s achievements for its April production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 29 at the Des Moines Civic Center and will recognize a total of 103 adjudicated schools from across the entire 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.

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, which start at $15, will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 16 at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.

The Awards Showcase will 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.