SATURDAY, MAY 15TH - 7:00 PM - Live & Livestream at Arts Express Theatre
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SATURDAY, MAY 15TH - 7:00 PM Live & Livestream at Arts Express Theatre
THE MONTE AWARDS
SATURDAY, MAY 15TH - 7:00 PM
Live & Live-streamed from the Arts Express Theatre
THE PROGRAM
“Magic to Do” ............................................................................ Semi-finalists
from the musical PIPPIN
Welcome ................................................................................ Charlie Hall, Host
The Finalists Learn Order of Performance .................................The Finalists
A Tribute to Monte Ralstin .............................................................Charlie Hall
The Finalists Perform ...................................................................The Finalists
The Coach’s Audition ............................................. Chris Will & Chach Snook
INTERMISSION
“A Musical” ................................................................................... Charlie Hall
from the musical SOMETHING ROTTEN!
The Jimmy Awards ......................... Video provided by The Broadway League
About Arts Express ...................................................................... Karen Wiese
“Raise You Up - Just Be” .......................................................... Semi-finalists
from the musical KINKY BOOTS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AWARD WINNERS
The Spirit Award
Best Up and Coming Actor and Actress
Best Actress
Best Actor
PIPPIN - Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. By Roger O. Hirson & Bob Fosse
SOMETHING ROTTEN! - Music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Book by John
O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick
KINKY BOOTS - Music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. Book by Harvey Fierstein
MONTE RALSTIN
“Art may be beautiful, ugly or bold
– but never selfish.” - Monte Ralstin
The Southern Arizona High School
Musical Theatre Awards Program is
named in honor of beloved Teacher,
Director, and Mentor, Monte Ralstin.
Monte passed away at the age of 66
on January 22, 2019, leaving a legacy
of dedication to excellence in perform-
ing arts education. For over five years
Monte played a significant role in the
development of thie awards program,
serving as an adjudicator, vocal coach
and then Director and Host of the
Awards program.
THANK YOU!
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
NOW, more than ever, our Southern Arizona theatre students
needed an outlet to express themselves artistically,
and get recognition for all that they have achieved.
Thank you to the many generous donors who heard the call
and contributed to this year’s Monte Awards!
We still have a distance to go to cover our costs for this
year’s “theatre boot camp” and awards show.
If you are able to help, please consider making a donation.
It’s easy to help: visit www.arts-express.org/monte-awards/
and click on the donate button or mail your check to
PMB 138, 4729 E. Sunrise Dr. 85718
WHO’S WHO - ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION
Program Founder – Lendre Kearns José “Chach” Snook,
Producer/Executive Director – Karen Wiese Music Director
Assistant Producer/Livestream Designer & José “Chach” Snook has
Videographer – Ben Wiese performed in 46 states
Director – Christopher Will and 13 countries and lived
Music Director – Jose “Chach” Snook in NYC as a professional
Choreographer – Simone Jolivet Manuel singer/actor appearing
Stage Manager – Mary Davis and touring in a number of
Sound Designer & Engineer – Tyler Berg shows. As well as being a voice teacher and
Technical Director – Michael Dunn acting coach, he has been seen singing with
Lighting Designer & Engineer- Michael Sorensen Khris Dodge Entertainment, Mr. Bing’s Supper
Accompanist – Khris Dodge Club, The 4GENTS, and in various musicals in
Assistant Stage Manager/Mic Wrangler – Tucson. Chach has received 6 MAC Nomina-
Frankie Corey-Gelb tions for acting, directing and best musical
Assistant Stage Manager – Alejandra Becerra during his tenure in Tucson. Chach has a Vocal
Spot Operator – Nathan Saiffer Performance degree from Northern Arizona
House Manager – Isabel Sneva University and was the choir and drama
Volunteer Coordinator – Wendy Waltrip teacher at Flowing Wells Jr. High for 12 years
Judge Wranger - Lendre Kearns where he directed over 20 plays and musicals.
Assistant Judge Wrangler - Soozie Hazen Currently he is an Arts Integration Specialist
with TUSD’s Opening Minds Through the Arts.
THANK YOU! In 2013, he was named a Top 5 Teacher of the
Special thanks to ALL our volunteers Year for Arizona and in 2016 he was named
for the countless hours they spent in Latino Teacher of the Year.
making this production possible! Simone Jolivet-Manuel,
Chris Will, Director Choreographer
Chris Will has been direct- Simone Jolivet-Manuel, a
ing, teaching and perform- member of that rare breed
ing musicals all around the of Tucsonans actually born
world for the past 20 years, in Tucson. She received
including two Off-Broadway her BA from Northern
shows (Time Being and The Arizona University and
Jungle Queen Debutante). her M.Ed in Elementary Education. Simone
He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the began dancing at the age of 7, she continued
University of Wyoming in Theatre & Dance and training over the years with workshops and
continued his education in the United King- conventions across the country with high-end
dom, earning his Masters of Performance in choreographers - Savion Glover, Mandy Moore,
Musical Theatre from The Royal Conservatoire Paula Abdul, JT Hornstein, Denise Leitner and
of Scotland and received an MFA in directing many others. Currently Simone is in her 13th
form the University of Idaho. Chris Will loves year at Salpointe Catholic High School and
teaching and is a theater professor at Pima 5th year choreographing for Arts Express.
Community College. He starred as Neville in Simone’s professional achievements include
the Arts Express production of A Secret Garden work with Salpointe Pomline, Dance Force - 1
and is the resident director for the company’s Productions, Gaslight Theater and Danswest
Monte Awards program. Productions and the 2001, 2005 and 2009
THE JIMMY AWARDS
Link Cotillions. She thanks her husband Scot, The Jimmy Awards®/The National High
children Lincoln and Maxine and her mother, School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®)
for their support and love. program impacts more than 100,000 students
who participate in high school musical theatre
Mary Davis,
competitions sponsored by presenters of
Stage Manager
Touring Broadway productions throughout the
With over 25 years in the
United States.
theater, acting, directing
and stage managing both Presented by the Broadway
community and equity League Foundation, the
productions, Mary is grate- program sends a Best
ful to have found a place Actress and Best Actor
to live her dream in stage management. After winner from each of
wandering from theater to theater in Delaware these competitions to
and Tucson, she is blessed to join Arts Express New York for a week
Theatre, where passion, talent, and a respect long theatre intensive
for theater thrive. When not managing, she is of coaching and
a freelance writer with her own company, The rehearsals with
Write Attitude. industry professionals in preparation for a
one-night-only talent showcase on Broadway.
Carlos “Charlie” Hall - Host
Named for Broadway impresario James M.
Tucson-born entertainer
Nederlander, the program has been the
Carlos “Charlie” Hall is
catalyst for more than $2,000,000 in
thrilled to return to perform
educational scholarships.
with Arts Express. He
was most recently in AE’s The 2020 Jimmy Awards were cancelled as a
Something Rotten! (Nos- precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In
tradamus). He is a regular with The Gaslight 2021, the Awards will be a virtual experience
Theatre since 2006 and earned a BFA in for our BEST ACTOR and BEST ACTRESS.
Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona Produced by Arts Express and Broadway in
where he also holds a double Minor in Film/TV Tucson, The Monte Awards are a division of
& Music. Charlie dedicates much of his time the NHSMTA. This program was established in
producing creative collaborations across the 2013 to elevate the importance of theatre arts
arts — especially in music and film — via his education in Southern Arizona schools and
company, Magdalena Productions. He holds reward excellence in student performance.
great pride and love for his Latino heritage and
This year, since many schools were unable
is always striving for better connections across
to undertake musical theatre productions,
cultural and artistic borders. “Nothing beats
student actors and actresses were invited to
family and friends. Luz y Fuerza!”
submit a video audition utilizing one of the
@MrCharlieHall @MagdalenaProductions
songs on the list provided by the NHSMTA.
Thanks to Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre!
WHO’S WHO - THE NOMINEES
KEIRA ALEJANDRO (Hot Mikado), Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda), and Elle
Moutain View High School Woods (Legally Blonde). Aliyah thanks her drama
Keira Alejandro loves nothing teacher Mary Dickson, her voice teacher Stevie Fox,
more than to perform, her favor- and all of her amazing friends and family for always
ite shows including Freaky Friday supporting her!
(Katherine), and The 25th Annual
Putnam County Spelling Bee (Ol- RILEY FALKOFF
ive). The biggest thank you to her mom, and also to Ironwood Ridge High School
her teachers Ms. Kerstetter and Kaitlin Bertanshaw Riley loves performing more than
who have always seen the best in her! anything else in the world! This
includes film work (LA & New
SAMANTHA BEEMER York), being a violinist, and cast
Rio Rico High School in theatre productions including
Samantha Beemer is a senior Curtains, Puffs, Broadway Showcase, & Matilda
at Rio Rico High School. Some (high school), Big River (Jackson Hole Playhouse),
of her previous roles include: CGTV/TCE showcases (LA’s Hudson Theaters), and
James and the Giant Peach Sweeney Todd & A Christmas Carol (Arts Express).
(Sponge), Little Shop of Horrors Thanks to my incredible friends for being there
(Audrey), and Something Rotten! (Ensemble/Portia for me and to my family for putting up with my
US). She is currently training vocally with Elizabeth screeching all the time.
Wells and dancing on the Hawx Dance Team.
ISABEL FINLEY
JULIA DARLING SNOOK Salpointe Catholic High
Tanque Verde High School School
Julia Darling Snook has recently Isabel Finley is a Junior at Sal-
performed in Sweeney Todd for pointe Catholic High School and
Arts Express. The role she is has been singing since before
most proud of is Schwartzy in she could talk. She has been in
The 25th Annual Putnam County many productions with Salpointe, but her favorite
Spelling Bee. She would like to thank her family and so far is the life-changing role in the production
her second family; her Thespian Troupe. of Bang Bang Your Dead. Thank you to my loving
parents, hard-working directors, and above all God
SAVANA DORAME for these amazing opportunities.
Ironwood Ridge High School
Savana Dorame is a Freshman LARKYN FOSTER
at Ironwood High School and University High School
has been in 12 musical theater Larkyn Foster has been perform-
productions. She has been in ing with CYT since she was
a commercial and a voice over seven. Her favorite roles include
for a children’s book. Thank you to my Mom, Dad, James in James and the Giant
Danae and David. Peach, Charlotte in Cinderella,
Ellie in Freaky Friday, and Miss Hannigan in Annie.
ALIYAH DOUGLAS She would like to thank her family, friends, and
Ironwood Ridge High School voice teacher, Michael Chaffin.
Aliyah is a Junior and loves
theatre more than anything! She
won first place in the Interna-
tional Hal Leonard Vocal Com-
petition and the Cal-Western
National Association of Teachers of Singing Student
Auditions. Her most notable roles include Yum Yum
WHO’S WHO - THE NOMINEES
REID FOSTER ELLA INGOLD
University High School Ironwood Ridge High School
Reid Foster is a Sophomore at Ella Ingold, a Freshman at
UHS and has been performing Ironwood Ridge High School is
since he was eight. His favorite so excited to be playing the role
roles include Doctor Dolittle in of Matilda Wormwood in Matilda
Doctor Dolittle, Prince Topher in the Musical. Some of her favorite
Cinderella, and Horton in Seussical. He would like to past roles she has performed include Belle (Beauty
thank his family, friends, and voice teacher, Michael and the Beast Jr.) and Ariel (The Little Mermaid
Chaffin, for their love and support. Jr.). She would like to thank her family and director
Mary Dickson for supporting her.
OLIVIA GOEHRING
Ironwood Ridge High School SYDNEY JACKMAN
Olivia Goehring goes to Ironwood Walden Grove High School
Ridge High School and has loved Sydney has participated in over
partaking in Theatre for 5 years 13 productions through various
now. Olivia’s favorite role thus organizations and in various
far has been Princess Jasmine roles. She played the lead in
from Aladdin. More than anything she has loved Waldens Grove High School’s
dancing in the musical Curtains with Ironwood. She Superior ranked One-Act play, she received a
loves spending her time volunteering with her for- superior ranking for her musical theatre solo, and
mer youth theatre group. Olivia would like to thank she placed second in the branch section of the ESU
her director, Mary Dickson, her former director, Jen Shakespeare Competition. She hopes to do much
Holthaus, her parents, and you! more theater in the future.
MACY HANSEN LANCE JACOBSON
Ironwood Ridge High School Catalina Foothills High
Macy Hansen is a Junior at School
Ironwood Ridge High School in Lance Jacobson has performed
Tucson. She has enjoyed musi- in over a dozen shows with CYT
cal theatre her whole life. Her Tucson. Most notably, Lefou in
favorite roles are Miss Honey Beauty and the Beast, Mr. Mayor
from Matilda and Hannah/Xavia from Puffs. She is in Seussical and Mathew in Doctor Dolittle. He was
thankful to her friends and family for supporting her. also cast as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda before the
COVID lockdown. He wants to thank his family.
KENDALL HICKS
Ironwood Ridge High School CLAIRE LISAK
Kendall Hicks is a Junior at Ironwood Ridge High School
Ironwood Ridge High School. Claire Lisak is beyond excited to
Some of her past favorite roles get this amazing opportunity. She
include Lady Macbeth in Shake- has had a love for theatre ever
speare’s Macbeth and Kaliope in since she was part of a produc-
Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters. She would like to tion of Annie in 4th grade. She
thank her family, friends, drama teacher, and vocal has played Gabriella Montez in High School Musical,
coach for their never-ending support! and currently, is playing Hortensia in Matilda the
Musical.
WHO’S WHO - THE NOMINEES
JANE LUI DAVID QUINETTE
Desert Christian High School Desert Christian High School
Jane Lui is a Senior at Desert David Quinette is a Freshman at
Christian High School. Recent Desert Christian High School. He
credits include Ti Moune (Once has been singing since he was
on this Island), U.S. Cinderella five and has loved every moment
(Cinderella), and U.S. Mabel of it. His past favorite roles he
(Pirates of Penzance). Jane will be studying Musical has played includes; Warbucks from Annie and Lord
Theatre in college. Infinite thanks to Mom, Dad, Pinkleton from Cinderella. He wants to give a huge
Stephanie Fox, Tim Evanicki, Adam Kaplan, and thanks to all his family and friends for all the sup-
DansWest. port they have given him in his singing journey.
AIDEN MCCOY BLAINE ROBINSON
Ironwood Ridge High School Home Schooled
Aiden McCoy is a Junior at Iron- Blaine Robinson is a Junior
wood Ridge High School. Some in high school and has been
of his favorite past roles include involved in theater for seven
Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, years through HEY Productions,
Cedric/Mr. Voldy in Puffs, Warren Walden Grove, and CYT. Blaine’s
in Ordinary Days, and Ken Gorman in Rumors. He favorite roles include Shrek (Shrek the Musical) and
would like to thank his director and family. Jafar (Aladdin). He would like to thank his family for
always supporting him and keeping life fun.
KATHERINE MOSELEY
Salpointe Catholic High JAMES WORTH
School University High School
Katherine Moseley has been James Wroth is still kicking
performing at Salpointe Catholic himself (with the leg he broke
High for two years. She was last onstage) for not getting into
seen as Wednesday Addams and musicals until 8th grade. His
is currently in ‘All in The Timing’. She has performed favorite roles were William Bar-
at Live Theatre Workshop and numerous musicals fée in a student-run production of The 25th Annual
at St. Michael’s. She would like to thank her family Putnam County Spelling Bee and Will Parker/Jud Fry
for all their support. (Simultaneously) in Oklahoma! Couldn’t have done
any of it without your help, dad.
ABBY PEYTON
Ironwood Ridge High School
Abby Peyton is a Junior at Iron-
wood Ridge High School. She
has appeared in Annie as Annie,
Rumors as Cassie, Curtains as
Bambi, and Matilda in Matilda.
Abby would like to thank her
family and Mary Dickson. Abby is VP of the Musical
Theatre Club and is a Thespian.
THE ADJUDICATORS
THE ADJUDICATION PROCESS: THANK YOU
GETTING TO SEMI-FINALISTS ADJUDICATION TEAMS!
Many thanks to our teams of adjudicators
The journey began with 54 video applica-
who donated their time and extraordinaty
tions. After weeks of workshops, all talents to adjudicate our student performers.
participants submitted two addition
videos: dance video and actor monologue.
the creative team (Chris Will, Chach Snook
ADJUDICATORS FOR
and Simone Jolivet-Manuel) narrowed THE SEMI-FINALS
the group to 23 semi-finalists. Eric Holtan
AND THEN...TO FINALISTS Lendre Kearns
Mickael Nugent
Semi-finalists underwent several weeks of
coaching, classes and workshops after which Cynthia Stokes
they submitted a new video recording of their Susan Lane Stokes
song for adjudication. These adjudicators nar- Susan Thibodeaux
rowed the group to 11 finalists. The students
were notified of their standing as finalists in a ADJUDICATORS FOR
Zoom meeting last week. They will not know TONIGHT’S FINALS
the order in which they will perform until the Nancy Davis Booth
opening of envelopes during the live perfor- Mario DiVetta
mance.
Steven Higgenbotham
THE WINNERS ARE... Matthew Holter
The finalists will perform live tonight and will Cathy Simon
be adjudicated for this performance during Hank Stratton
the show.
ABOUT AWARDS TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS
There are five student awards presented:
THE SPIRIT AWARD
BEST UP AND COMING ACTOR AND ACTRESS
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
In addition to the student awards, the Monte Awards typically award high
school productions in several categories: BEST MUSICAL, BEST DIRECTION,
BEST CREATIVE ELEMENTS and BEST UP-AND-COMING.
Unfortunately, as a result of remote learning at many schools, few schools
were able to present musicals, so we were unable to present awards to the
schools this year.
EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL THEATRE AND ARTS EDUCATION
With 38 years of service in Southern Arizona, Arts Express is dedicated to building a
better community through the arts! Through arts education and musical theatre,
programming is provided for people of all ages. MUSICAL THEATRE
The mission of Arts Express is to build AND CONCERTS
character, strengthen community, LET FREEDOM SING
and celebrate culture through July 3rd & 4th 2021
the power of the arts. A CHORUS LINE
July 23- August 1
Arts Express has earned a reputation for the qual- DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS,
ity of its productions. Excellence is achieved through THE MUSICAL
August 20 - 29
recruitment and retention of a high caliber production
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO
team and cast members, involving professionals and LOVE AND MURDER
students in a collaborative creative process. Using October 22-31
Master Classes, Cast/Crew Mentoring and Administra- WHITE CHRISTMAS
tive Internships, these productions place the student December 3 - 19
elbow-to-elbow with professionals, providing OLIVER
February 18 - 27
opportunities to learn problem-solving and leadership
RENT
skills while gaining experience in all aspects of March 25 - April 3
creating, producing, financing and marketing a show. TITANIC
Eighty-six percent of Arts Express students need April 22 - May 1
financial assistance to participate. With your support, PERFORMING ARTS
we strive to reach the under-served, so that
EDUCATION
EVERYONE can experience the life-changing potential
YEAR-ROUND PERFORMING
of the arts.
ARTS CLASSES (all ages)
Help us build a better community THE MONTE AWARDS
through the arts. Donate Today! (grades 9-12)
May 15
Donations may be made online at AE KIDS & TEENS SUMMER
www.arts-express.org CAMPS & INTENSIVES
(grades K-12)
or mailed to Arts Express,
including
PMB 138, 4729 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson 85718 DISNEY’S
or by phone (520) 319-0400. THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.
June 14 - 25
Arts Express is a 501 (c) 3 organization: Ages 8 - 14
Tax ID #86-0941657BROADWAY’S NEXT GENERATION!
GENERATION!
Two students from our program will join teens
from across the U.S. to compete for top honors in a
one-night-only showcase at the
®
WATCH ONLINE JULY 15
at
JimmyAwards.com
@JimmyAwards
PRESENTED BYBROADWAY IN TUCSON
A NEDERLANDER
PRESENTATION
Broadway In Tucson/A Nederlander
Presention is part of the nationally
recognized Nederlander Producing
Company of America.
Broadway In Tucson’s debut
season opened in September
2004 with the Arizona Premiere
of Movin’ Out at the Tucson Music
Hall. Since then, BIT has brought
more 1,300,000 patrons to the
touring Broadway experience.
In 2006, BIT broke box office
records with six wildly successful
weeks of Disney’s The Lion King;
the audience of 83,000 makes it
the most well-attended longest-
running production in Tucson
theatre history!
In 2010 BIT partnered with UA
Presents for a three-week sold
out engagement of the block-
buster musical Wicked at UA
Centennial Hall which led to a new
collaboration with UA Presents as
the home of Broadway In Tucson.
In 2013, BIT announced its new
relationship with UA Presents
and celebrated its 10th Anniver-
sary in its new venue. Since then,
each Centennial Hall season has
included 5 - 6 full week shows as
well as several special events.
In March, 2020 Broadway in
Tucson, like all other North
American presenters had to cease
performances because of the
rising COVID pandemic.
It was recently announced
performances will resume in
November 2021, with a six play
season and a record five special
events. The 21/22 Season will
offer the greatest number of
performances in a single season
since Broadway In Tucson’s
inception. For more information,
visit broadwayintucson.com.The 20-21 Season!
Tbe Monte Awards – May 15
Let Freedom Sing – July 3 & 4
A Chorus Line – July 23 - August 1
Disney’s Descendants: The Musical – Aug. 20 - 29
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder – Oct. 22 - 31
White Christmas – December 3 - 19
Oliver – February 18 - 27
Rent – March 25 - April 3
Titanic – April 22 - May 1
Don’t miss a single moment!
Tickets and information:
(520) 319-0400 - www. arts-express.orgYou can also read
