This years musical, ‘Pippin’, performed at the 4th annual Greater Austin High School Musical Theater Awards, also commonly known by its acronym ‘GAHSMTA’, on Thursday, April 13. The musical was one of eight schools nominated for best production, meaning they got to perform the number ‘Magic To Do’ on the Long Center stage as a part of the award ceremony.

“It was an unforgettable experience,” sophomore Camilla Urrea said. “It was a crazy opportunity to perform in front of so many people, but the energy the audience gave off made the performance extraordinary.”

Over 30 high schools participated in this years GAHSMTA. ‘Pippin’ was nominated in five categories; for best lighting design, best orchestra, best ensemble, best leading actor, and best production. Senior Matthew Kennedy took home the award for ‘best leading actor’ for his performance as ‘Leading Player’ in the musical.

“It was incredibly honoring and exhilarating,” Kennedy said. “I did not expect to win this award; I was surrounded by other amazing and talented actors who were all very deserving. To be recognized for the extensive work I put into my part was one of the most honoring things to ever happen to me.”

Several members of the theater department also performed in the Select Ensemble of GAHSMTA. The Select Ensemble is an elite group of actors and actresses who periodically put on small snippets of musicals throughout the award ceremony. This years Select Ensemble members were seniors Evan Hays and Cullan Payne, as well as Kennedy.

“[Being in Select Ensemble] is the most rewarding thing in the world,” Hays said. “We worked so hard for so long. When you’re training for any career, the more experience you can cultivate the better. In the back of your mind, you know that it’s the last time you’re going to get to perform with [this group]. When you add in an audience of 2500 people, it makes the experience pretty special.”