05/06/2026
Hudson High School’s Theater Department will participate in the 2026 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school’s achievements for its November production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version).
Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m. and will recognize a total of 110 adjudicated schools from across the entire state.
Brinkley Simmer will participate in the Triple Threat Award program with other advanced performing students. In addition to this Brinkley will be showcased in a solo Spotlight performance of “In My Own Little Corner” from her role as Cinderella. Triple threat students will audition for theater camp scholarships and the opportunity to represent Iowa at the Jimmy Awards, or National High School Musical Theatre Awards, in New York City this summer.
John Ertl, Preston Olson, and Caitlyn Poppe will represent Hudson by performing in a collaborative inter-school Finale Medley led by a guest Broadway music director and choreographer.
Bridget Hansen and Ava Slade will participate in Behind-the-Scenes day at the Civic Center working with professionals in a technical theater background. They will also get to meet and collaborate with area students who are awarded in a BTS role. At the showcase videos of their accomplishments will be shown!
This IHSMTA season our show was recognized with the following awards and honors:
Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role
Brinkley Simmer and Caitlyn Poppe
Triple Threat Program- Brinkley Simmer
Outstanding Achievement in Behind-the-Scenes Role
Bridget Hansen- Stage Management and Costumes
Ava Slade- Choreography
Special Recognition- Community Engagement
Distinguished Scene- “Stepsister’s Lament”
Tickets to the Showcase, which start at $15, will go on sale on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 10 AM at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.
The Awards Showcase will be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event later this summer on dates to be announced.
