This Wednesday, the Artsbridge Foundation announced their Shuler award nominations live on GPB. For their production of “Wizard of Oz,” which took place on March 15-18, Starr’s Mill theatre received award nominations in choreography and costume and have won the Shuler Showstopper Award.

The Shuler Hensley Awards are musical theatre awards for Georgia high schools modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards.

“I am just so happy for the [theatre] kids, they deserve this,” Starr’s Mill drama teacher and director Savahna Silvas said. “I’m glad that everyone gets to see what I get to see, every single day.”

With winning the Showstopper Award, the “Wizard of Oz” cast is given the opportunity to perform their award-winning number “Merry Old Land of Oz” at the Shuler Awards Show, where it will be broadcasted live on GPB.

However, the Starr’s Mill orchestra will not be performing alongside them.

“[The awards show] has a professional pit orchestra that performs for the showstoppers, as well as during commercial breaks,” band teacher and “Wizard of Oz” orchestra director Scott King said.

Junior Clarence White and Starr’s Mill German and dance teacher Antonela Kljajic have been nominated for the Shuler choreography award. “I’m overjoyed and so grateful, and amazed by what’s in the picture for me,” White said. “Something I have loved to do will be projected for everybody to see on TV.”

Seniors Cara Clements and Ginni Gray have also been nominated for the Shuler costumes award. “I didn’t expect my name to be the one up for nomination,” Clements said. “I’m really excited and humbled, and I’m excited for the rest of the cast and their nominations.”

Gray feels similarly about her nomination. “It’s very exciting to be able to be nominated along with Cara. It makes you appreciate the hard work that goes into [theatre],” Gray said. “There were so many costumes in this show, and it was very time-consuming. It gives you insight into professional theatre.”

The Starr’s Mill theatre department has previously won a Shuler Showstopper Award in 2015. They’ve also won past Shuler awards in direction, costume design, choreography, orchestra, technical execution, and lighting design.

Mark your calendars and tune into GPB at 7 p.m. on April 19 to see Starr’s Mill theatre perform live from the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Cobb County, Georgia.