DES MOINES, Iowa (April 29, 2020)— In response to the cancellation of the 2020 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards (IHSMTA) Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) is introducing a new initiative that will celebrate high school theatrical programs and provide online learning opportunities throughout the spring. The initiative provides a chance for DMPA to celebrate the 86 schools who took part in the 2019-2020 IHSMTA program.
Due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters ranging from Broadway to high school auditoriums are dark across the country. In addition to impacting the year-end IHSMTA Showcase, a significant number of participating school productions were unable to be performed as scheduled due to school closures. Despite these challenges, the IHSMTA program and EMC remain committed to supporting students and drama programs across the state during this time.
“EMC is proud to support the talented Iowa students and educators bringing the joy of theater to their communities,” said Scott Jean, EMC President and CEO. “The Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards program plays an important role in strengthening theater departments across our state and we look forward to celebrating all of the hard work put into these productions in a unique way this year.”
To that end, a special Digital IHSMTA Showcase has been launched online. The Showcase features videos, photo galleries and other special content from schools and students from across the state, with new content added regularly. Students and the public can explore the Digital IHSMTA Showcase by visiting desmoinesperformingarts.org/digital-ihsmta-showcase/. DMPA also released the awards and recognitions bestowed to schools whose productions were reviewed by adjudicators, prior to school closures.
Additionally, the IHSMTA program is hosting a series of virtual webinars and master classes for participating students throughout May. The learning opportunities will cover a variety of performance and technical topics, such as stage management, dance, college auditions, and weekly Broadway trivia.
“We are thrilled to find creative ways to make sure that Iowa’s theater students are seen and that they know that the IHSMTA family is here for them during this time,” said DMPA Education Program Coordinator Sarah Florian.
About EMC Insurance Companies
EMC Insurance Companies is among the top 60 property/casualty insurance organizations in the country based on net written premium, with more than 2,400 employees. Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC) was organized in 1911 to write workers’ compensation protection in Iowa. Today, operating under the trade name EMC Insurance Companies, the company provides property and casualty insurance products and services throughout the United States and writes reinsurance contracts worldwide. EMCC is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit emcins.com.