Carver High’s ‘In The Heights’ Wins 4 Tommy Tune Awards, 1 Advances to National Contest

Carver High School theater students won four [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Tommy Tune Awards at Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) 12th annual awards ceremony held April 16 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

More than 2,500 people attended the event. Theater fans got a special treat. Broadway legend Tommy Tune, the award ceremony’s namesake and nine-time Tony Award winner, made a special appearance.

The Carver High troupe received [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]nominations for Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Musical Direction, Best Leading Actor,  Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Ensemble/Chorus, Best Orchestra and Best Scenic Design.

The troupe’s musical production of In The Heights won in the following categories:

Best Leading Actor — Nyles Washington as Usnavi
Best Supporting Actress — Amber Scott as Daniela
Best Choreography/Musical Staging
Best Orchestra

Developed by TUTS, the Tommy Tune Awards honor musical theater excellence at the high school level. After reviewing and evaluating the 45 participating Houston-area high school productions during the 2013-14 school year, a team of 33 Houston-based theater professionals made 151 nominations in 15 categories.

Amber Scott in “Carnaval del Barrio” performance.

As a best musical nominee, the troupe performed “Carnaval del Barrio” from In the Heights. Nyles and Amber along with nominees in their category also performed in the opening number of the awards ceremony with Mr. Tune.

Later in the evening, Nyles performed in a medley along with the other seven nominees in the Best Leading Actor category. As the Leading Actor winner, Nyles will compete for the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Jimmy™ Award at the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City. Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) will cover all expenses for Nyles. While in New York, Jimmy™ Award participants will have the opportunity to participate in rehearsals and master classes; receive one-on-one coaching from theater professionals; be seen by casting agents; meet and converse with Broadway actors; and compete for scholarships and other prizes. The week’s events will culminate June 30 in a live awards show where the Jimmy™ Award for Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress will be presented.

TUTS presented 1o scholarships to outstanding participating students of the Tommy Tune Awards. Amber received a $1,000 scholarship.

Stephanie García and Isaiah Rusk performed in the finale number of the awards ceremony along with students from other schools.

Roshunda Jones, director of Carver High’s theater, said the students felt like Broadway stars.

“The students were over the moon with the entire experience,” said Jones. “They really felt like stars. Right after they received their awards, students were taken backstage and interviewed by Channel 13 about their wins. I don’t think the students stopped smiling the entire evening.”

Scholarship winners pose with Tommy Tune (far left).

Rosalyn Sweat, principal at Carver High, is also proud of the students.

“Our kids did an awesome job and spoke so well when they received their awards,” said Sweat. “I am so proud of all of them.”

TUTS President and CEO John Breckenridge also lauded all the nominees and winners.

“Each year the level of talent we see in the local high schools just gets better and better,” said Breckenridge. “The students from across our city are producing some truly amazing pieces of theater.

“TUTS could not be more proud to host this awards program to give a platform for these students and their work.”

Carver High students pose backstage at TUTS.

Jones thanks the entire production team that included Jabari Collins, technical director and choreographer; Kiana Day, musical director; Tamara Fleming, production assistant; Juan Polanco, vocal coach; and choreographers Sarita Salinas and Selina Baynard.

The Tommy Tune Awards will be broadcast June 8 on ABC Channel 13 at 12:00 p.m.

Listen to Nyles Washington in a video of the Best Actor and Best Actress winners of the 2014 Tommy Tune Awards.