For the first time in Frisco ISD history, a campus has claimed the Best Musical in the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Congratulations to Wakeland’s theatre students and directors who won Best Musical, Best Direction and Best Crew & Technical Execution for their production Curtains, the Musical. Curtains is a production about a murder that
has taken place backstage. It includes strong characters and requires immensely talented actors.
The award ceremony was held on the last day of school and if emotions were not already high, the seniors graduated the next morning. It was truly a memorable evening that will be cherished for a lifetime. Notably, recent graduates Hayley Delich and Garrett
Bohannan were also each awarded $2,500 college scholarships through Broadway Dallas.
The Wakeland theatre company is led by Director Jonette Dalfonzo and Technical Director Aaron Yowell. Dalfonzo has been with Frisco ISD for 17 years and looks forward to starting her 30th year in education next year.
“As educators, we provide the tools and emphasize the creative process, but it’s incredible just what passionate students can create,” Dalfonzo said. “The students didn’t start the production planning to win any awards, but
they collaborated as a family to support each other in their growth at every step and it paid off.”
As a District veteran, Dalfonzo is impressed with how fine arts programming has evolved over time but maintains that with each year, the power of arts in education continues to be immeasurable.
“The resources and collaboration between FISD campus directors has created a level of quality that is frankly unheard of anywhere else,” Dalfonzo said. “All of us want to create a safe atmosphere for students to be themselves as they
work to grow in their passions while being surrounded by our not-so-little theatre family.”
Dalfonzo and Yowell are already planning their musical, Shrek, which will debut in January 2023 and are excited to integrate the incoming freshmen from Cobb and Griffin middle schools.
Congratulations to all of the FISD companies that participated in the event, but especially those that were nominated for awards.
Frisco ISD Musical Theatre Nominations
Centennial High School
Best Orchestra
Frisco High School
Best Direction
Independence High School
Best Direction
Best Choreography
Best Music Direction
Best Orchestra
Best Lighting Design
Outstanding Lead Performer - Emma Alexander
Outstanding Supporting Performer - Eduardo Martinez
Liberty High School
Best Music Direction
Wakeland High School
Best Musical
Best Direction
Best Crew and Technical Execution
Best Music Direction
Best Scenic Design
Best Lighting Design
Best Costume Design
Best Ensemble
Outstanding Lead Performer - Emma DeLaPaz
Outstanding Lead Performer - Garrett Bohannan
Outstanding Supporting Performer - Brooke Lee