Published On: April 29th, 2020By Leticia Fehling

Carver High School Wins 3 Tommy Tune Awards

The virtual ceremony spotlighted students’ talents, with well-known Broadway theater vets taking part.

Jocelyn Dorsey from Carver HS won Best Leading Actress for her role in “Sister Act.”

Theater Under the Stars announced the winners of the 2020 Tommy Tune Awards during a streaming event on April 28 on TUTS’ Facebook and YouTube Channel. Due to the coronavirus crisis, the event, which is typically attended by 2,600 students, could not be held at the Hobby Center. Organizers got creative to give the students a special evening.

The broadcast included at-home performances by students and clips from the Best Musical nominees. Students showcased their creativity, retelling their high school’s musical in 30 seconds. And to everyone’s surprise, there appearances from Broadway stars, including Kristin Chenoweth and Audra McDonald, and many more made appearances.

“The show must go on, so our team quickly moved towards creating a virtual experience. With the help of some of Broadway’s biggest names, we provided Houston’s young artists a really special evening,” said TUTS Artistic Director.

Broadway Vets Surprise Students During Awards

Taylor Louderman, Tony® nominee for Broadway’s Mean Girls, gave the introduction. Presenters and special guests for the awards show included Kristin Chenoweth (Tony Award®-winner for You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and Wicked, “Glee”), Audra McDonald (six-time Tony Award-winner best known for her starring role in Ragtime), Rob McClure (Mrs. Doubtfire, Beetlejuice), Laura Osnes (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, South Pacific, Bonnie & Clyde), Diane Paulus (Tony Award-winning director of Jagged Little Pill, Waitress), Andy Blankenbuehler (three-time Tony Award-winner for Hamilton, Bandstand, In the Heights), Adrienne Warren (TINA, Shuffle Along), Jeanine Tesori (Tony Award-Winning composer of Fun Home, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Carolee Camello (three-time Tony Award nominee for Parade, Lestat, and Scandalous), Orfeh and Andy Karl (Pretty Woman, Legally Blonde: The Musical), Alex Newell (NBC’s “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” Once On This Island, “Glee”), Jason Gotay (Bring It On, Freaky Friday), Joe Serafini and Frankie Rodriguez (“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”), Michael James Scott (Disney’s Aladdin, Something Rotten!), Bobby Conte Thornton (Company, A Bronx Tale), and Jason Sherwood (set designer for The Academy Awards®,” “RENT Live”).

Carver HS’ production of “Sister Act.”

A program of Theatre Under The Stars, the Tommy Tune Awards, recognizes and rewards excellence in the artistry of musical theatre by high school students and their teachers in the greater Houston metropolitan area. The Tommy Tune Awards, named after the Broadway legend and Houston native, offer an opportunity for students and educators to share their creative accomplishments while instilling in young people the value of engaging in the performing arts as a lifelong pursuit.

Forty-six Houston-area high school productions from the 2019-2020 school year are vying for top honors in 15 award categories: Best Musical; Leading Actor and Actress; Supporting Actor and Actress; Featured Performer; Ensemble; Lighting, Scenic, and Costume Design; Stage Crew & Technical Execution; Orchestra; Musical Direction; Choreography; and Direction.

Carver HS Theater Wins Three Coveted Awards

The Carver‘s production of Sister Act earned eight Tommy Tune Award nominations this year. The magnet school took home three of the coveted awards.

Best Leading Actress: Jocelyn Dorsey from Carver HS as “Deloris Van Cartier” in Sister Act

Best Musical Direction: Carver High School, Sister Act

Best Direction (a tie): Carver High School, Sister Act & Stratford High School, The Drowsy Chaperone

Carver HS’ musical production of “Sister Act” earned eight Tommy Tunes Awards nominations, including Best Musical.

Additionally, $44,350 in college scholarships were awarded to 14 students during the Tommy Tune Awards show. The scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who plan to pursue a career in the arts. Carver HS senior Armani Brown is one of the scholarship recipients. He played “Joey” in Sister Act. Armani also worked alongside Carver dance instructor Sarita Salinas, Brianna McCray, and alumnus Denzel Taylor.

Director Roshunda Jones and Technical Theater Director Jabari Collins lead the Carver Theater Department. For Jones, the theater is a collaborative art. She is grateful to everyone that supports the department year after year, making the Carver’s musicals possible. Jones also lauded the magnet schools that feed into Carver. Students from Anderson Academy and Drew Academy formed part of the ensemble this year.

“Special thanks to TUTS for your support of high school theater,” said Jones. “The awards ceremony brought so much joy to everyone. Houston area theater students were completely surprised by the number of Broadway vets that took part. I could hear the screams through the computer screen! It’s an honor to be nominated. Winning three awards was just the icing on the cake. Carver theater strives for excellence, and Mr. Collins and I are thankful to be part of the legacy of the Carver High School Theater Department.”

And what a legacy. Jones and Collins began to have their theater students compete in the Tommy Tune Awards program in 2008. To date, Carver has earned a total of 85 nominations. This year makes it the sixth time that Carver receives the Best Musical nomination.

For a complete list of all the winners, visit the TUTS’ webpage for the Tommy Tune Awards.