Junior Kara Lyons sat in her humanities class anxiously awaiting a text from her mom. In January, she had performed as Jo March in the all school musical, “Little Women”. Because of the success of the play, theater teacher, Denise Tooch, sent her in as an entry to be nominated for a Dallas Summer Musical Awards. The results were announced on March 30.
That morning, Lyon’s mom had recorded “Good Morning Texas”, which had announced the nominees. After watching the show, Lyon’s mom had texted her the results. However she was in a class where her phones was required to remain in her backpack all class period. Till C lunch, Lyons had to sit through class, knowing that the outcomes of the nominations were only a text away.
As soon as the lunch bell rang, Lyons pulled out her phone.
She had done it. Lyons received a DSM award nomination for best actress for her role as Jo March in the all school musical, “Little Women”.
“Kara embodied Jo in the auditions, showing us all of Jo’s fire and vulnerability,” Tooch said. “Kara has such enthusiasm, spunk and work ethic that we knew she would be able to carry the part”
Along with Lyons’s nomination for best leading actress, the school has also received nominations for best lighting, best supporting actress, best musical direction, best crew and technical execution and best lighting.
Tooch chose to direct “Little Women” as her first all school musical to showcase the school’s strong female talent. For Tooch’s first year working together with the school’s students, five award nominations is seen as a huge accomplishment by Tooch as well as her students.
As a nominee for best actress, Lyons has a chance to make it to the national competition in New York City. This opportunity would give her a chance to compete against other high school students from all over the country.
“The winner of best actor and best actress can go on to the Jimmy Awards in New York City,” Lyons said. “They go and they sing for a bunch of judges on Broadway so they can get a full ride to NYU.”
Lyons as well as the rest of the nominees are looking forward to the DSM awards ceremony that will be held on April 29 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. During the awards ceremony, which is set up like the Tony Awards, theater students will perform. Haley Sutherland, along with Lyons will be performing in the opening act. Later in the show Lauren Foutch and Davis Gilmartin will represent the school in the finale.
This event gives students the chance to showcase their talents among some of the top talent in the DFW metroplex. All students will perform original songs and Lyons will also sing her solo from “Little Women”, “Astonishing”, during the best leading actress medley.
No matter the outcome of the awards ceremony, Tooch is very pleased with all the students and how much they have been able to achieve this year.
“I am very proud of how hard the students have worked this year to define and solidify our starting point,” Tooch said. “I have no doubt that they will continue to move forward next year and many years to come.”
