Lake Highlands High School (LH) was nominated in a number of categories for the first annual Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards. The competition was open to all North Texas high schools. The inaugural awards event was held May 5 at the Music Hall.

Seven $3,000 cash scholarships were presented to outstanding participating students. Winners of the best performance by an actor and actress each earned an all-expense paid trip for five days to New York City, where they will represent their school in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards for the chance to win prizes and scholarships. Among the nominees for Best Actor was LH’s Doug Keffer as William Barfee in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” LH was also nominated for Best Scenic Design, Musical Direction and Lighting Design for the same production. Some of the award-winners were Aledo High School’s “Fiddler on the Roof” and Plano East High School’s “Hairspray.” Richardson High School was recognized for “Anything Goes,” and J.J. Pearce for “Phantom of the Opera.”

Patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards, show business veterans and community celebrities came together to spotlight the achievements of high school students and their school’s musical theatre programs. Thirty high schools participated during the 2011-2012 school year. Throughout the year, three judges visited each school to judge the performances in 15 categories.