The Theatre West Drama Awards are dedicated to celebrating the cast and crew for their dedication and performance throughout the theater season. The ceremony began with the company providing dinner, open to the families and friends of the Theatre West community.
Afterwards there were awards and honors bestowed upon this year’s members. Before delving into specific awards, director Ann Rocarek acknowledged the recognition received from the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA).
Below is a list of achievements received from the IHSMTA.
Outstanding Musical Production
Outstanding Achievement for Ensemble
Outstanding Student Orchestra
Outstanding Achievement in a Principle Role*: Luke Reimer as Monty Navarro, and Carter Birch Houchins-Witt as the D’ysquith Family.
Special Recognition in a Principle Role: Etta Graber as Phoebe D’ysquith, and Haley DeMeulenaere as Miss Marietta Shingle.
*Procuring this award leaves Reimer and Houchins-Witt eligible to perform and compete in the Triple Threat Awards at the IHSMTA showcase on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM. This gives them a chance to win a plethora of scholarships and to represent Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City.
After the acknowledgement of Theatre West’s statewide excellence, crew and cast-specific awards were announced.
Listed below are the awards presented alongside the students who won them.
Artistry Award: Quincy Rose
Most Creative: Hyunsuh Lee
Unsung Hero: Mara Strand
Most Congenial: Maya Mueller, Norah Connolly, and Sage Pottorff
Company Spirit: Ania Willis
Best Newcomer to the Stage: Emma Lai
Best Newcomer behind the scenes: Yujin Kim
Above and Beyond: Aspen Hermann
Dedication Award: Carter Birch Houchins-Witt
Dependability Award: Luke Reimer and Nathan Butler
Outstanding Leadership: Ella Krupp
Technical Excellence: Anna Greenlee and Evelyn Kraber
Outstanding Orchestra Member: Derick Doresca, Caleb Davies, Momo Shinozaki, and Shanza Sami
Outstanding Vocalist: Eva Ortega Lopez
Outstanding Ensemble Performer: Carter Wagner, Clara Visser, Nathan Butler, Jack Rippentrop, and Will Seberger (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”).
Outstanding Principle Performer: Luke Reimer (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and “Peter and the Starcatcher”), Carter Birch Houchins Witt (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and “Peter and the Starcatcher”), Lovella Varner (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”), Etta Graber (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”), and Mieka Hedt (“Peter and the Starcatcher”).
Outstanding Supporting Performer: Haley DeMeulenaere (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and “Peter and the Starcatcher”), Lovella Varner (“Peter and the Starcatcher), Nathan Butler (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), Carter Wagner (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), Mar Nourski (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), Aidan Bellizzi (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), and Claire Reimer (“Peter and the Starcatcher”).
Best Thespian: Tirza Overholt and Fern Fraer
Theatre West also announced its lineup for the 2026-27 theatrical season on Friday afternoon.
In the fall, Theatre West will be presenting “Pride and Prejudice,” a play most famously adapted from Jane Austen’s classic novel. This show is a comedy about Elizabeth Bennett and the aristocratic Mr. Darcy. This show follows the two as they learn not to judge a book by its cover and find true love.
The spring musical will present the cult classic, “Les Misérables”. This story is centered around 19th-century France, following Jean Valjean, an ex-convict put in prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. After breaking his parole, he begins a new life, becoming the mayor of the French town, Montreuil-sur-Mer. Fantine is a factory worker, under the authority of Valjean, who becomes a prostitute to support her starving child. Following the mother’s death, Valjean is left with an orphaned child, Cosette, to take care of. In the years following, a student rebellion breaks out where Cosette falls in love with the rebellion’s leader, Marius. The musical continues, many plot twists and tragedies ensuing shortly after.
You can stay up to date on recent Theatre West updates through their Instagram, TikTok, and website.
