MHS theatre attends the 13 annual UHSMTA show
Jun 15, 2023 10:24AM ● By Verlene Johnson
the four MHS finalists Spencer Kobe, Simon Bott, Payton Hatt and Spencer Dearden with their teacher/director Jennifer Fritz.
After a nearly sold out, six show run of “Newsies”, Morgan High School’s Theatre Department received four nomination from the Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Freshman Spencer Kobe, received a cameo finalist nomination for his first stage performance as Les. Senior Simon Bott, who played Crutchie, in his third high school musical, received a finalist nomination for best supporting actor. Payton Hatt, who played the lead, Jack, received a finalist nomination for Best Lead Actor. This is the seniors second musical at MHS. On the Tech side, senior, Spencer Dearden received a final nomination for best student lighting design.
Thirty-five MHS theatre students boarded a bus Saturday May, 13 and headed to the Eccles Theatrein downtown Salt Lake City, to attend the UHSMTA show.
During the day, workshops were available for students to attend while the finalists rehearsed their musical numbers with their fellow nominees.
The awards show, hosted by UHSMTA founder Michael Ballam, opened with those who were nominated for a cameo. After the opening number, Ballam mentioned that while this was an award show, they were not competing against each other. They were their to support each other in something they all love.
Though out the night, high school students, from different high school from all over Utah, took to the stage to to perform a musical number from the shows that had been nominated for best musical for the year.
Between the performances, awards were presented by Ballam in technical categories such as, lighting, set design, choreography, costumes and best ensemble. Several students talked about how they enjoyed watching other schools perform musical numbers from the different shows. One student also mentioned how they loved how supportive the students were to each other in the high school theatre world.
After intermission, the finalists that were nominated for best supporting actress/actor and best lead actress/actor, took to the stage to perform a medley with their fellow nominees.
While the four finalist from MHS did not win that night, being one of the 10 finalists from 45 shows that were judged by UHSMTA judges was quiet an accomplishment.
“I absolutely loved the opportunity to be a finalist in the UHSMTA,” said Payton. “It was an experience I will remember my whole life; performing on the Eccles stage.”
“I was so fun to watch Payton be able to do what he loves,” said Payton’s mom Jennifer Hatt. “I’m very grateful he had such an amazing opportunity.”
Simon said it was absolutely incredible performing at UHSMTA. “The rehearsal process was so much fun and all of the nominees were so cool and talented...defiantly one of the best experiences of my life.”
This was Simon and Payton’s second time being nominated as finalist by the UHSMTA. They both received a cameo nomination last year for their roles in “Seven Bride for Seven Brothers” when all six brothers were nominated. “I felt so at home being back on the Eccles stage,” Simon stated.
MHS theatre teacher, Jennifer Fritz stated, “What an amazing year we’ve had! I’ve enjoyed all of it.” λ
