Iola High School’s drama department capped a memorable season with plenty of glitz, glamour and a few tears Saturday with the 45th annual Little Oscars banquet.
Seventeen trophies were given for the students’ acting prowess — both in leading and in supporting roles — as well as for technical duties.
A trio of IHS students received two awards each. Kent Toland received the Don Bain Showman of the year, as voted by his fellow Iola Players members and as best supporting actor for his roles as the wicked stepmother, stepsisters, Cinderella, and a number of other characters — nearly simultaneously — in “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.”
Skylar Strickler, meanwhile, took home the best actor Little Oscar for his roles as a narrator, devel, prince, king, dwarf, Hansel, a grandmother and other roles in “Spectaculathon.” He also received the 2010 Iola Community Theatre award for his role as Jesus in “Godspell Jr.”
Madison Ford took home the best supporting actress award for her role as Bellomy in “The Fanstasticks.” She also took home the Little Oscar as the Outstanding Member of the IHS Players Club.
Jonathan Michaels received the 2010 Susan S. Miller Award, given to a member of the IHS fornesics team deemed the most inspirational.
Reagan Webster earned the Best Actress Little Osar for her role as Luisa in “The Fantasticks.”
Maggie Terhune, as a witch, girl without hands and Little Red Riding Hood in “Spectaculathon” took home the 2010 female rookie of the year. Cody Cokely, as Henry in “The Fantasticks,” was the male rookie of the year.
Drew Smith and Audrea Stahl were named underclass man and woman of the year for “Spectaculathon.”
Technical awards were given to Dalton Altis, for his work in sound operation for “Spectaculathon,” and Jordan Strickler, who served as stage manager for “The Fanstasticks.”
Jasmine Bannister, portraying a mute in “The Fantasticks,” and Hayden Wolf, as a crab and other characters in “Spectaculathon,” received the Stanislavski and Boleslavski awards, respectively. Those awards go to actors who provide noteworthy performances in minor roles in their given productions.
As has become tradition, the evening was capped with the audience joining the students in singing “Auld Lang Syne,” a song dedicated to long-time Little Oscars accompanist Fern Marsh, who died April 29.
Iola High alums Mark and Scott Toland served as masters of ceremony for the evening. Iolan Jan Knewtson played piano through a medley of Disney songs and dances. Cami Freimiller served as the envelope person.
Pageantry, poignance fill Little Oscars
