Tyrone’s production of Into The Woods has received seven nominations for the 13th annual Isaac Awards.

“I am so proud of the entire cast.  This was a very difficult show to put together, and they all worked so hard to make it the great success that it was,” said Choral Director Laura Harris.

The Isaac Awards for local theatre productions are presented by the Altoona Community Theatre and named after Isaac Mishler, founder of the historic Mishler Theatre in Altoona.  According to the ACT website, the awards were established  to “encourage and support excellence in high school musical theatre in our region through an annual awards event that recognizes student achievement.”

Last year, winners of the Isaac Awards received $55,000 in college scholarships from St. Francis University, Penn State Altoona and Mount Aloysius College.  In addition, five participating schools were randomly selected to receive $1,000 for their musical’s budget.

“[This is] very exciting. Obviously, I knew our actors did a great job, but it feels nice for them to have their hard work recognized amongst all the other talent in the area,” said Into the Woods Director Charlotte Wynn.

Tyrone has been nominated for the following awards:

• Achievement in Design (Set Design) – Scotti Everhart
• Actress in a Leading Role – Molly Harris as The Witch
• Actor in a Leading Role – Nick Vasbinder as The Baker
• Actor in a Supporting Role – Brent McNeel as Cinderella’s Prince
• Actor in a Featured Role – Ethan White as Rapunzel’s Prince
• Best Musical Number – “Agony”
• Best Overall Production

Senior Scotti Everhart was nominated for Achievement in Design.

“Scotti has a unique style, a sensitivity to detail, and the ability to translate that to a large-scale format that works extremely well for set design. I’m extremely pleased and proud to hear that she was nominated for the design award,” said TAHS art teacher Eric Feather. 

Senior Molly Harris was nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for her performance as The Witch. Harris closed the curtain on her high school theatre career with her fourth musical “Into The Woods.” Last year, Harris played the lead role in “Beauty and the Beast” as Belle.

“It feels amazing to be nominated alongside people who love theatre just as much as I do. As a senior, it’s a great way to end my theatre career at Tyrone,” said Harris.

Sophomore Nick Vasbinder was nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as The Baker. Vasbinder began his high school musical career as a freshman in last year’s “Beauty and the Beast” ensemble. He compared the feeling of being nominated to being lifted on a pedestal.

“Whether or not I’ll even win, it’s just such an uplifting feeling to be nominated for such an award. It’s an incredible feeling,” said Vasbinder.

Sophomore Brent McNeel was nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as Cinderella’s Prince. McNeel started his high school musical career as a freshman in last year’s “Beauty and the Beast” as The Beast, and he won the Best Musical Number award for his solo “If I Can’t Love Her.”

“I am honored to be nominated with such talented people and I’m overjoyed at the opportunity to win another Isaac,” said McNeel.

Junior Ethan White was nominated for Actor in a Featured Role for his performance as Rapunzel’s Prince. White started his high school musical career as a freshman in “A Night on Broadway.” He played Gaston in last year’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

“Being nominated this award was both surprising and exciting for me,” said White.

The song “Agony” was nominated for Best Musical Number. Brent McNeel and Ethan White performed the song together.

” ‘Agony’ was a lot of fun to do. We put everything we had into it, and we hope it pays off,” said McNeel.

“I was surprised to find out that ‘Agony’ was nominated. I am hopeful that we will win,” said White.

Into the Woods was also nominated for Best Production.

The cast members are looking forward to The Isaac’s and are hoping to come back home with some awards.

They are also looking back on the great memories they made during the rehearsals and the production.

Junior Hannah Gampe, who played Jack’s Mother, was one of those cast members.

“The musical is such a fun and great experience. Working so hard with each other, we have become a family. The memories I have of the musicals will last a lifetime. Nothing beats going on stage and performing your heart out with a smile on your face,” said Gampe.

On Saturday, May 26, the TAHS Drama Club will attend The Isaac Awards with eight other schools at the Mishler Theatre.

The show begins at 7:30 pm and is open to the public. Tickets are $18. Eleven other schools will be participating on Sunday, May 26.

“Win or lose, our cast was awesome, and we’re going to have a great time celebrating with all of the other great shows at the Isaacs this year,” said Laura Harris.