St. Francis High School Theatre again earned many honors from Hennepin Arts Spotlight Education in 2025 for their performance of Seussical the Musical. Through their accomplishments, SFHS Theatre was again invited to perform at the Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Showcase on Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre.
Community focused: SFHS Theatre was selected for a Spotlight Education 2025 Community Engagement Award for its community outreach production (sensory friendly/no shush performance) of Seussical the Musical.
Awards: The play earned multiple production and individual awards in the Spotlight Education Honors Program (listed below). SFHS Theatre’s honorable mention recognition in Achievement in Musical Theatre earned the group a spot in the Spotlight Showcase.
Top tech: Senior Broc Vierzba is one of six finalists for the Technical Theatre Career Pathway award. Along with the other finalists, Vierzba will use his skills in stage management, lighting, and audio to build Spotlight Showcase, while two of the candidates will be selected for the New York Experience.
Leadership honored: SFHS Theatre Advisor Glenn Morehouse Olson is the recipient of the 2025 Theater Educator Award from Spotlight Education. She will receive the award on June 9 when the students perform at the State Theater.
Evaluator comments on the overall performance: “A strong and cohesive production with high production values and rich lead performances. Oh the Things You Can Think was a wonderful way to open the show. It featured every character and allowed everyone to shine. The ensemble was able to be creative and lean into their strengths and personalities.”
The list of 2024-25 Honors from Spotlight Education for Seussical:
Achievement in Musical Theatre - Honorable Mention
Overall Technical Production - Outstanding
Overall Performance - Honorable Mention
Ensemble Vocal Performance - Honorable Mention
Student Orchestra - Honorable Mention
Costume Crew - Outstanding
Overall Technical Team - Outstanding
Light Crew - Outstanding
Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role
Jack Stordahl as Horton
Ameliya Yang as Jojo
Honorable Mention in a Leading Role
Sophie Edwards as Cat in the Hat
Outstanding in Technical Leadership
Broc Vierzba as Lighting Director
Tabitha Betterman as Sound Designer
Hailey Gillies as Stage Manager
Julian Kelcher as Stage Manager
Evaluator Shout-Out
Ella Donner
Elena Larson
Lalana Robinson
Ensemble Acting Performance
Ensemble Movement/Dance Performance
Ensemble Overall Performance
About Spotlight: After a year of participating in Spotlight-evaluated plays and musicals, students from across Minnesota will take the stage at the historic State Theatre on June 9-10. Spotlight Showcase proudly employs professional staff from both the Twin Cities and Broadway to collaborate with students across all areas of theater.