By Yuka Noda
Staff Writer
Director John Bowab, Kay Cole, Kenny Ortega and actress Cathy Rigby recognized Mira Costa’s Drama Department for its spring musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” at the June 1 Jerry Herman Awards at the Pantages Theater.
At the Awards Ceremony, Costa’s Drama Department was one of 24 high schools nominated for awards. The nominations included best costume design, technical crew, musical and musical direction.
“People in our community, myself included, recognize these students for all their hard work, but it’s sometimes nice for other people to notice the amount of work the students put into our productions,” drama teacher Carol Mathews said.
Jerry Herman judges Bowab, Rigby, Cole and Ortega honored “Thoroughly Modern Millie” with the Best Orchestra award and senior Julia McDermott with the Best Actress award.
“When I won best actress, it was just crazy to me because all of the other nominees were very talented,” McDermott said.
Sixty-five members of the Drama Department attended the ceremony. According to Mathews, this year was the Drama Department’s second time attending the Jerry Herman Awards Ceremony.
“We always strive for excellence when we work on the musical and while it’s never our intention to win anything, it certainly is a nice by-product,” music teacher and conductor Mark McCormick said. “Several of the other schools were performing arts magnet schools, and I’m very proud that we are a public school and we have.”
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