High school theater arts shine at fifth annual Palm Awards in McAllen

McALLEN — Hundreds of high school students, many of whom were dressed to the nines, gathered inside the lobby of the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Wednesday evening.

Decked out in suits and elegant dresses, a long line of students waited for their chance to walk a red carpet and pose for photographers in front of a large black backdrop with various logos in gold.

Others lined a staircase waiting for their turn to pose with friends for a 360 camera.

The mood was electric as they anticipated the start of the fifth annual Palm Awards, a celebration of local high school theater. Founded by ​​retired Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD high school theater teachers Michael Alebis and Gilbert Zepeda Jr. in 2017, the awards show offers an opportunity to highlight the efforts of high school students and theater directors as they compete for awards in 25 categories.

“Everyone thinks it’s just the award show, but it actually takes place from September all the way to February,” Palm Awards Board Director John R. Garza said before Wednesday’s event. “It is just grueling for these students. We had 40 productions this year, 26 participating high schools, and over 1500 students participating.”

Garza said that since its inception, the Palm Awards — which is a nonprofit organization — has worked to offer a platform for local theater students while providing opportunities for them to take the next step in their theater careers. They have done this through the awards show itself, through scholarships, and through workshops.

“That’s kind of how it’s growing. It’s also become a social event,” Garza said. “We also have sponsors and we go out and get presenting sponsors. Donations go anywhere from $100 to $10,000. We depend on the kindness of strangers. So we’re saying, ‘Everyone’s welcome.’”

Wednesday’s event featured a few special guests, including San Juan native Cristela Alonzo who hosted the show, and Tina Parker, an actress known for her role on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.”

Everyone thinks it’s just the award show, but it actually takes place from September all the way to February. It is just grueling for these students. We had 40 productions this year, 26 participating high schools, and over 1500 students participating.

Parker served on the national panel of judges who helped decide the award winners. She said that she was so impressed by the performances that she’d seen, she had to make the trip to the Rio Grande Valley — her first — to see the performances live.

“These production values and these performances are better than some professional companies I know in Dallas,” Parker said. “I was very pleasantly surprised — every show, every show regardless of budget, the school, whatever, there were some kids that they have the thing. They have the it factor. And like, if this is what spurs them on to pursue a career in the arts or gives them a scholarship and a chance to go to a university to study their passion, fantastic. I’m proud to be part of it.”

At 7 p.m. on the dot, the lights in the auditorium dimmed, garnering raucous cheers from the excited sold out crowd.

Members of the All Star Theatre, a McAllen-based theater company, took the stage and opened the show with a rendition of “Step In Time” from the 1964 classic “Mary Poppins.”

Shortly thereafter, Alonzo took the stage. She talked about her own theater experience as a PSJA High School student and the influence her teachers and the theater group had on her career.

“​​I have to take this moment to say thank you so much to the Rio Grande Valley for making me who I am,” Alonzo said. “Thank you so much to all the teachers out here that dedicate so much of their lives to actually helping students achieve their dreams. When I was invited to come host the Palm Awards, I had to say yes because how can I not come back and celebrate a roomful of students that were just like me when I was in school?”

Alonzo’s opening set was followed by a performance by PSJA Memorial Early College High School performing a song from the popular Broadway show, “In The Heights.”

The group took home awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Straight Play, Best Supporting Actress in a Straight Play, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Also recognized were Sharyland High School for their version of “Chicago Teen Edition,” McAllen Memorial High School for “Freaky Friday,” McAllen High School for “Bring It On,” PSJA Southwest Early College High School for “Wizard of Oz,” Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory for “Spongebob The Musical,” and James “Nikki” Rowe High School for “In The Heights.”

“I think it’s great what they’re doing here, supporting this incredible work that these schools are doing,” Parker said. “It’s really amazing.”

To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here: 

Photo Gallery: High school theater arts shine at fifth annual Palm Awards in McAllen