Montezuma Theater participates in awards showcase

      Montezuma theater department cast members perform a scene from their November production of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Theater members participated in the 2026 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, May 28. Montezuma was honored in a special video shown at the Showcase, in celebration of its receipt of an Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement Award - one of the program's highest honors. Several cast members were also recognized with Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role honors.

​    The Montezuma theater department participated 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 Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase was held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, May 28 and recognize a total of 110 adjudicated schools from across the entire state.
      Montezuma was honored in a special video shown at the Showcase, in celebration of its receipt of an Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement Award - one of the program's highest honors.
   Gracie Wilson, Bryn Fantazia and Letisia Wilson represented Montezuma by performing in a collaborative Opening medley led by a guest Broadway music director and choreographer.
      Owen Desrochers and Isaiah Wilson were selected to perform an excerpt from their award-winning roles as King Arthur and Patsy.
      Owen Desrochers, Isaiah Wilson, Jayden Doll and Ethan Desrochers also participated in the Triple Threat Award program with other advanced performing students. In addition to a special performance at the showcase, 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.
 
Montezuma was recognized with the following awards and honors:

• Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement
• Special Recognition for Ensemble
• Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role – Ethan Desrochers as "Sir Galahad"
• Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role – Jayden Doll as "Sir Robin"
• Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role - Owen Desrochers as "King Arthur"
• Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role - Gracie Wilson as "Lady of the Lake"
• Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role – Isaiah Wilson as "Patsy"

 
     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.