BIT OF JOY | Jax theater students dominate statewide awards

Theater students at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts just won big at the Applause Awards, which recognize the most talented musical theater students in Florida. Suliette Ortiz took home the title of Outstanding Lead Performer for her role as Diana in Next to Normal and was selected as overall female winner. That means she’ll head to New York City to represent D.A. at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards on June 23. These students each took home $1,000 scholarships:

• Lead performer: George Eastman
• Outstanding Actor: Haiden Matthews
• Lead performer: Miles Melanson
• Supporting Performer: JonAshton Reid
• Outstanding Set Design: Gali Barak
• Lead Performer and Outstanding Dancer nominee: Grace Klefman
• Outstanding Dancer nominee: Thomas Tedder

In addition, Josef Wright received the Spirit of the Applause Award, which came with a $2,500 scholarship, and he was named male 1st runner-up for his role as Hermes in Hadestown. Alayna Martus was female 1st runner-up for her role as Natalie in Next to Normal, and Miles Melanson was a top four finalist for his role as Orpheus in Hadestown. Congratulations to all of the outstanding students!