Portland High School Students Gear Up for Michigan's Sutton Foster Awards

Portland High School (PHS) is proud to announce that two of its talented drama students, Cooper Wittenbach (Junior) and Lyndsey Camp (Senior), are set to represent the school at Michigan's Sutton Foster Awards. The Sutton Foster Awards, renowned for its celebration of young theatrical talent, provides a platform for aspiring performers from across the state to showcase their abilities and connect with industry professionals. It is open to all high schools from across the state, regardless of location, budget, or school size, and provides training opportunities throughout the year, as well as professional feedback on productions.  The showcase and competition performance, featuring students from each participating high school, is open to the public.

Over the last weekend, Wittenbach and Camp, recognized for their outstanding performances in this year's high school production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, spent two days at MSU’s Wharton Center rehearsing music and fine-tuning choreography, ahead of the upcoming competition. “This weekend was an incredibly fun and challenging experience. This being my second year participating in the competition, I also got to rekindle some friendships I made last year and was able to feel the improvement I’ve made since my first year in the program. Overall, it's quite the workout but absolutely worth it.” says Camp. All activities through the weekend act as an audition element, which will determine which performers advance to New York City for the national High School Musical Theatre Awards also known as TheJimmy Awards.Wittenbach, a first-time attendee, says the weekend was “a wonderful experience. It was so exciting getting to work with professionals who are just as thrilled to be there as us and want us to succeed.” 

PHS Drama Director Chandra Polasek urges all who are able to attend the showcase and performance, both in support of our PHS students, but also to appreciate the dramatic talent found in and around our state."If you can make it to the showcase, you should. It’s incredible to see the talent our state has. We are so proud to have two of our finest included among them in this incredible opportunity and learning experience.” This year’s showcase and competition performance, which will take place at Wharton Center at 6:30pm on June 1st, will feature over 100 high caliber high school performers from across the state.  Tickets are available here at the cost of $15 per ticket.