Carroll Theatre Department Junior, Heather Wang, was nominated for Best Choreography. Heather has been dancing all her life and it has been a pivotal part of who she is. She is versed in several styles of dance from the elegant lyrical to hard-hitting crump, and has competed in numerous competitions for solo hip hop, tap, jazz, lyrical, and ballet. Since the age of three, she has been taking classes, and recently discovered her love for choreography! Musical Theatre has become something she couldn’t live with out, whether it be a monkey in Carroll Theatre Department’s The Drowsy Chaperone, Napkin in Beauty and the Beast, or Margot in Legally Blonde The Musical, each character lives within who she is today! She loves acting, singing and dancing so much she hopes to pursue this as a career!

Here is Heather’s response to her Schmidt and Jones Award Nomination: “If I’m being completely honest, I never truly believed I was a dancer until this year. My sister was the dancer of the family, my brother was the athlete, so this affirmation of my skill means more then many realize. To be nominated out of the many talented students in Texas is perhaps the most amazing feeling, and given me the true answer as to whether or not I can actually do this for the rest of my life.”

Junior, Kristine Lahde, is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Minor Role for her role as Enid. Kristine Lahde has been involved in theatre since she was five years old. She’s been in numerous productions and has spent three wonderful years in the Carroll Theatre Department. She feels beyond privileged to have been nominated for a Schmidt and Jones Award: “I was so excited and honored when I heard about my nomination. Enid was a great role that I loved playing.” Kristine is eager to see what the future holds.

Junior, Steven Riedel, is nominated for Best Male Ensemble Performer for his role of Carlos. Steven is a Junior at Carroll Senior High School. He is beyond excited for his first musical with Carroll Theatre Department. Steven has been involved with Stars Theater in the past, and is currently looking at The New York Film Academy to become a film actor. Steven is also a part of the Carroll Theatre Poetry Slam Team where he went to Chicago’s Louder Than A Bomb poetry competition representing Southlake and Carroll Theatre in March. Lastly, Steven would like to thank The Martinsens, Ms. Galante, Ms. Fisher, and Ms. Jones for giving him this wonderful opportunity: “I honestly have never had so much fun performing a musical and performing with such talented actors.  It’s also been a thrill to be able to have the opportunity to work with such great directors.”

Carroll Theatre Department Senior, Ashley Nordahl, is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her work as Paulette in Legally Blonde The Musical:

Ashley Nordahl is a senior this year at Carroll Senior High School and loves doing theatre. She is a National Honor Thespian and has been in theatre all through her high school career. She has been in the productions of White Christmas (Ensemble), The Drowsy Chaperone (Ensemble), Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl #3), Les Miserables in Concert (Madame Thenardier), and Legally Blonde The Musical as Paulette. Ashley has been singing since she was eight years old.  She is so honored to be nominated for the Schmidt and Jones Awards’ Best Supporting Actress Award. She plans on attending Ole Miss this fall for Elementary Education.

Carroll Theatre Department, under the direction of Roald and Stacie Martinsen with Orchestral direction by David Lown, was honored with 15 nominations for the Schmidt and Jones Awards for the Department’s fall production of: Legally Blonde The Musical.    The awards show was Thursday, May 23 in the Carpenter Performance Hall at the Irving Arts Center.

The Carroll Theatre Department won the following honors:

BEST MUSICAL

• Legally Blonde The Musical – Carroll Senior High School

BEST ORCHESTRA

• Carroll Senior High School

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• Daniel Scandura, Legally Blonde The Musical, Carroll Senior High School

BEST MALE ENSEMBLE PERFORMER

• Mason Kuhn, Legally Blonde The Musical, Carroll Senior High School

“We are so honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the Schmidt and Jones Awards, hosted by Lyric Stage.  Their commitment to improving artistic excellence in high school theatre departments is a welcome change to financial burdens and cuts that all educational organizations are facing each year.  We are proud of our students, our staff, our administrators, and our supportive parents for dedicating themselves, their time, and their hearts to making Dragon Drama a great place for kids to grow in their journey as artists and citizens,” said Directors Roald and Stacie Martinsen.

Lyric Stage, under the artistic direction of Steven Jones and the educational direction of Valerie Galloway-Chapa, Dallas County’s only locally produced professional musical theatre company, hosted the third annual Schmidt and Jones Awards honoring excellence in high school musical theatre in North Texas.  In addition, the Schmidt and Jones Awards are part of a national competition called NHSMTA, along with Casa Manana and Dallas Summer Musicals. 

The awards are named after Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, native Texans and creators of The Fantasticks, the longest running show in the history of the American theatre. The original off-Broadway production played 42 years and 17,162 performances. Throughout the years, Lyric Stage has had a strong relationship with the duo, and in 2005-2006 produced Schmidt and Jones: A Celebration. The festival included productions of The Fantasticks and 110 in the Shade, and staged readings of Celebration and Philemon. The Schmidt and Jones Awards will be an opportunity to honor North Texas Theatre students in a gala atmosphere with a Tony Award© feel.  Any Dallas, Tarrant or Collin county public or private high school which performs a musical is invited to participate.

Read previous posts about Carroll ISD’s  production of Legally Blonde The Musical including features on Best Actress nominee Sara Faris, Best Actor in a Supporting Role nominee John Harvey, and fellow students Heather Wang, Kristine Lahde, Steven Riedel and Ashley Nordahl.

John is an active member of the Carroll Senior High Thespian Troupe, recently earning the rank of National Honor Thespian. During the four years John has dedicated to the theatre program, he has performed in the musical productions of White Christmas, The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty and the Beast, and Legally Blonde The Musical as Professor Callahan.   John has also participated as a cast member in the One Act Play competition of Unexpected Tenderness and New Jerusalem, The Interrogation of Baruch De Spinoza, playing the part of Baruch De Spinoza. John participated in the Musical Theatre Showcase and competed in the Poetry Slam Competiton in 2011. Juggling his time with Carroll Dragon Band, John helped with The Haunted Asylum, The Haunted Circus, and The Mystery Time Machine. Due to his diligent work in the Theatre department, John was awarded the Rising Star Award in 2011, also winning the Poetry Slam competition that year as well.   Selected as Best Actor for his portrayal of Baruch De Spinoza in the UIL District 4 One Act Play Competition in 2013, and awarded Best Actor in Carroll Theatre, John has also just been nominated for the Schmidt and Jones Awards, presented by Lyric Stage, for Best Supporting Actor in the Carroll Theatre production of Legally Blonde The Musical.

Throughout John’s life, performing has been a passion, beginning at an early age participating in church musicals. Music has always been an integral part of his life. John has taken piano lessons since kindergarten, expanding his formal training to other percussion instruments starting in sixth grade and formal voice lessons in eighth grade. Through music he can feel what the composers are trying to convey, and in performances, share that mood or feeling with the audience. To John, performance is a liberating way to express one’s own self as well. To say that John is passionate about theatre is a huge understatement. He loves the long hours of collaboration with other actors. John believes taking instruction from directors is a wonderful way to learn and grow, and that inhabiting the mind of each character played is fascinating and educational. Because of this passion, John plans to continue his training at Texas State University, where he will work toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting.  Asked how he feels about the Schmidt and Jones Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as Professor Callahan, John simply states, “It is an unexpected honor just to be nominated.  I am so proud of all in the cast and crew of Legally Blonde The Musical, and feel honored to be a part of such a wonderful show.”

Sara Faris has been a dedicated thespian with Carroll Theatre for four years, earning her National Honor Thespian rank this May.  She has performed in

as Elle Woods and Brooke Wyndham in 2012. In preparation for the parts, Sara worked a strict schedule that included private ballet lessons and an exercise regime specifically designed to build performance endurance.

Recently, Sarah was nominated for the prestigious Schmidt and Jones Awards hosted by Lyric Stage is a tremendous opportunity for her as it is part of the fifth annual National High School Musical Theater Awards. Faris received a nomination for Best Actress for her role in last fall’s production of Legally Blond The Musical. Click here to read more and vote for Sara. Should she win, Faris will take part in the National competition next month at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway.  A panel of judges will choose two students for the coveted the Jimmy™ Awards for Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress.  The program will also include a week-long theater intensive in New York City later this summer.

Sara’s passion for the performing arts started at the age of two. Upon visiting her older sister’s dance classes, the teacher noticed her enthusiasm for the choreography and music and suggested that she be enrolled in a tap, ballet, and jazz class. From there, she was hooked. She fostered an intense infatuation with the stage, which was only strengthened when she performed a solo part in her first musical at the age of seven. This was the beginning of her vocal and theatrical career. She began writing songs participating in a local community theatre, STARS at the age of eight. After a few years and many performances with STARS, Sara auditioned for a performing arts group called “Superstar Express” that promoted health and wellness at local schools and other venues through music and performance, and even opened for bands like the Jonas Brothers. At the age of twelve, Sara was inducted as the youngest member in the history of the older group, working very hard to keep up with the fast paced and physically demanding rehearsals. The ultimate payoff was her eight-show stint at Walt Disney World at the age of thirteen. From there, Sara continued to explore her music passion with a quirky pair of producers, Mike and Mark Stitts, who offered to work with her to produce her own self-written album. Never refusing a challenge, Sara accepted and began the two year task that would come to be known as “Painting Poetry”. Seeking a more focused atmosphere to work on her recording, Sara decided to spend her sophomore year of high school at the DFW Performing Arts Conservatory. She took classes in dance, music, voice, and acting, marking the beginning of what would become a habit of working very hard to improve her craft. Upon the completion of “Painting Poetry”, Sara decided to go back to public school to give musical theatre a try for the first time since her time in STARS and will graduate next month.  For now, Sara continues to work on her music featured on her YouTube channel,  “saradaisyy” and plans to attend Belmont University as a commercial music major next year.

Starting Thursday, May 23 artwork will be on display inside the Art Center during school hours through Wednesday, May 29 The Carroll Senior High Art Center is located on campus at 1501 W. Southlake Boulevard. Visitors must check in at the front office.

Pictured (L-R): Superintendent Dr. David Faltys, Matthew Friske, Hope Miller, Mimi Tran & Gina Peddy

Carroll Advanced Placement Boosters is proud to announce the winners to 2013 College Scholarship to three students. Students received their scholarships during a special presentation at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on Monday, May 6, 2013.

Representing the AP Boosters, Mimi Tran addressed trustees and presented students with their scholarships. Hope Miller, Matthew Friske and Tanner Brennan each received $1,000 to their choice of university. All three students will graduate from Carroll Senior High School on June 7. Also participating in the scholarship presentation were CISD Superintendent Dr. David Faltys and Advanced Academics/ Gifted & Talented Coordinator Gina Peddy.

Hope will attend Texas A & M University majoring in Accounting/Business Honors, Matthew will be attending Southern Methodist University majoring Electrical Engineering. Tanner Brennan will be attending the University of Texas of Austin majoring in Business.

Click here to learn more about the Carroll AP Boosters.

Below is a photo slideshow of some of this week’s events.

Matthew Friske who will be attending SMU received a scholarship from Frank Bliss of Coopers and Stebbins. Jennifer Hall who will be attending University of Texas in Austin received her scholarship from Dr. David Hunter. Mimi Tran represented Frost Bank in presenting a scholarship to Aaron Ireland who is headed to Washington University. On behalf of Tommy Pennington Realty, Christina McCombs presented a scholarship to Julie Kresky who will be attending University of Southern California (UCLA). Kaci Lambeth who is headed to Trinity University received her scholarship from Dr. Shadid Shafi. Vighnesh Nair who is headed to the University of Texas in Austin received her scholarship from Dr. Ron Groves. Nathan Taylor of Farmers Insurance presented a scholarship to Sarah Philip who is headed to University of Dallas. Brittany Wang, who will be attending Harvard, received her scholarship from Dr. Mark Mason. Kristin La received an appreciation internship from Mrs. Sarah Mason and Dr. Mark Mason.

Carroll Medical Academy would like to thank the businesses that sponsor the CMA Senior Scholarship: Frank Bliss of Copper and Stebbins, Mimi Tran with Frost Bank, Dr. Sandra Armstrong and Dr. Amy Watts with Giggles and Grins, PLLC, Dr. Trung Tran with Clinical Pediatric Associates, Dr. David Hunter with NTFOS, Dr. Ron Groves with Groves Orthodontics, Dr. Mark Greenberg with All-Star Orthopedics, Nathan Taylor of Farmers, Dr. Shadid Shafi with Surgical Group of North Texas, Christina McCombs with Tommy Pennington Realtor and Dr. Mark Mason, MD with Southlake Plastic Surgery.

The Carroll Medical Academy is also proudly supported by Children’s Medical Center for the 2012-2013 school year.

Carroll Theatre Department, under the direction of Roald and Stacie Martinsen with Orchestral direction by David Lown, has been honored with 15 nominations for the Schmidt and Jones Awards for the department’s fall performance of Legally Blonde The Musical.

“We are so honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the Schmidt and Jones Awards, hosted by Lyric Stage.  Their commitment to improving artistic excellence in high school theatre departments is a welcome change to financial burdens and cuts that all educational organizations are facing each year.  We are proud of our students, our staff, our administrators, and our supportive parents for dedicating themselves, their time, and their hearts to making Dragon Drama a great place for kids to grow in their journey as artists and citizens,” said Directors Roald and Stacie Martinsen.

In addition, the Schmidt and Jones Awards are part of a national competition called NHSMTA, along with Casa Manana and Dallas Summer Musicals.  Carroll’s best actress nominee, Sara Faris, will travel to New York City to compete in the National Competition if she wins on Awards Night, May 23. 

Lyric Stage, Dallas County’s only locally produced professional musical theatre company, is hosting the third annual Schmidt and Jones Awards honoring excellence in high school musical theatre in North Texas. The awards show will be Thursday, May 23 in the Carpenter Performance Hall at the Irving Arts Center.

The awards are named after Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, native Texans and creators of The Fantasticks, the longest running show in the history of the American theatre. The original off-Broadway production played 42 years and 17,162 performances. Throughout the years, Lyric Stage has had a strong relationship with the duo, and in 2005-06 produced Schmidt and Jones: A Celebration. The festival included productions of The Fantasticks and 110 in the Shade, and staged readings of Celebration and Philemon. The Schmidt and Jones Awards will be an opportunity to honor North Texas Theatre students in a gala atmosphere with a Tony Award© feel.  Any Dallas, Tarrant or Collin county public or private high school which performs a musical is invited to participate.

Please congratulate the following students on their nominations, along with Carroll Theatre Department and the Musical Orchestra:

BEST MUSICAL

• Legally Blonde -  Carroll Senior High School

BEST ORCHESTRA

• Carroll Senior High School

EXCELLENCE IN CHOREOGRAPHY

• Heather Wang, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

• Sara Faris, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• John Harvey, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School 
• Daniel Scandura, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• Kaylyn Buckley, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School 
• Ashley Nordahl, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

BEST ACTOR IN A MINOR ROLE

• Colton Hess, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

BEST ACTRESS IN A MINOR ROLE

• Devin Berg, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School 
• Kristine Lahde, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

BEST MALE ENSEMBLE PERFORMER

• Mason Kuhn, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School 
• Steven Riedel, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

BEST FEMALE ENSEMBLE PERFORMER

• Giselle Drake, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

EXCELLENCE IN COSTUME DESIGN

• Jordan Jones, Legally Blonde, Carroll Senior High School

Selection is based on leadership and accomplishments. 250 Regional scholars are chosen nationwide from 100,000 applicants. Along with receiving a $10,000 scholarship, scholars attend a Coca-Cola Leadership Conference in Atlanta. Congratulations to Hope on being chosen as a distinguished member of the 25th Class of Coca-Cola Scholars!