Lake Nona High School’s theatre department has had an exciting spring! The school’s production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA, with almost 100 students involved, was met with many accolades from the community at large. The timeless love story fused ancient locales with modern music and thrilled audiences over its two-week run.

The school participated in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Applause Awards program for the fourth year in a row, since the program began. This program adjudicates musical theatre productions in a 50-mile radius spanning across five counties. Participating schools have judges come to watch their show and provide specific feedback to the cast, crew and orchestra pit. These judges are professionals from the theatre industry. This year, AIDA was nominated for an astounding 49 Applause Awards! Lake Nona received nominations in every single category that the program offered, a first in the school’s history. After the Applause committee met to decide upon its winners, Lake Nona High School’s AIDA walked away with 18 Applause Awards, including Outstanding Musical for both casts and Outstanding Technical Achievement, a first in the school’s history!

This show won more awards than any other of the more than 50 shows adjudicated this season! Cast members have been invited to perform in the ceremony on June 2 at the Dr. Phillips Center in the Walt Disney Theatre.

The theatre department also showcased their award-winning one-act play, When the Hurly Burly’s Done, at the Orlando International Fringe Festival on May 27. The show fused Shakespeare’s Macbeth with themes from Jumanji and Stranger Things. It won first place at the District V Thespian Festival and went on to represent at the Florida State Thespian Festival. They were delighted to bring it back to life for Fringe!

Next year, Lake Nona High School turns 10, and the theatre department will be celebrating that through song to kick off its 2018-2019 season. Be sure to check them out on Facebook at Lake Nona HS Theatre.