Harlingen conservatory kids win big at Palm Awards

7 hours ago 24

HARLINGEN — She spins and whirls with an electrifying pass across the stage.

The clip of Audrey Nguyen and Javier Cabello Corona performing in “Once on this Island” which just won Sound Execution Musical at the seventh annual Palm Awards.

“The Palm Awards have created an amazing platform for students like myself to share their passion, talent, and creativity for the arts,” said Audrey, 18, a senior at Harlingen High School.

Audrey was one of many students throughout the Valley honored May 7 at the event at the McAllen Convention Center.

The Palm Awards is a nonprofit organization that assists student performers with scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and a national platform to showcase their incredible work, said John Garza, president of the organization. In association with the McAllen Performing and Cultural Arts Foundation, the Palm Awards to foster a love of the arts locally by recognizing and supporting the high school theater community.

The Harlingen school district did exceptionally well this year for its four productions at the Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory: “Once on this Island”, “Over the River and Through the Woods,” “Cinderella Waltz” and “9 to 5 The Musical.”

Each production involved the talent of many students, 11 of whom were recognized at the Palm Awards.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” won Best Production Straight Play. The Best Production Musical award went to “Once on this Island.”

“This year was definitely a labor of love when it came to these shows,” said Christopher Esparza, theater director. He spoke with passion about “Over the River” and “Once on this Island.”

“The two shows that won took so much out of us emotionally — directors, cast, crew — because of the topics that they covered,” he said. “To be awarded top production in a musical with ‘Once on this Island’ as well as top production in a straight play with ‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ were so special to us.”

George Matthew Gutierrez won best actor in a supporting role of a play and of a musical.

“My experience working on ‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ was so unique and different from any other show process that I’ve been in,” said George Matthew, a junior at Harlingen High School South who played Nunzio in the production.

“Doing this play employed all cast members to express their true and genuine emotions, inside and outside of the rehearsal room,” said George Matthew, 17. “It was such an honor to win a Palm Award for Nunzio! Nunzio is a character that explores his unconditional love for his grandson, and the sacrifices we make for our families.”

Esparza revealed a personal affection for this piece.

“The main message is about the importance of family, faith and food,” he said with a chuckle. “It spans this grandson who has the opportunity to move across the country for a job opportunity. But in doing so he’s going to leave his four grandparents whom he has every Sunday with as an adult. All of the holidays and all the years he was growing up he was extremely close to all of his grandparents.”

He called this work a “love letter” to his own grandparents who have always supported him.

The students who performed in the piece embraced deeply the message too.

“I dedicated this show to my grandparents who I am so grateful to still have in my life,” said Karla Rivera, a senior at South.

“In my role, Aida, I saw so much of my own grandmother in her, her laugh, her smile, and her beautiful spirit,” Karla said. “Aida was one of the most complex and favorite characters I have ever played.”

She is grateful to have performed in that award-winning play, but there’s more.

“I am so blessed to have been awarded best-featured performer in a musical for my role of Mama Euralie in ‘Once on this Island,’ another show I’m so proud of,” she said.

For Javier Cabello Corona, success at the Palm Awards was a great way to start a tenure so to speak at the Performing Arts Conservatory.

“‘Once on this Island’ was such an incredible experience,” said the 14-year-old freshman. “Being my first show in Conservatory it will always hold a special place in my heart. I want to thank the Palm Awards for giving us the platform and opportunity to perform and do what we love.”

Said Audrey, who is finishing her senior year: “Being given the opportunity to perform in ‘Once on this Island’ was truly the biggest blessing. The process of creating this beautiful production was one that I’ll cherish deep in my heart and I’m beyond grateful to have done it with this cast and crew at the Conservatory.”