Fine Arts Showcases Features Award-Winning Performances
The Upper School Fine Arts Showcase at American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, was a remarkable evening that highlighted the immense talent and dedication of our students. Featuring award-winning performances in acting, chorus, guitar, musical theatre, and technical theatre, the event showcased pieces that earned accolades at the District X Thespian Festival, including several perfect scores and a Critic’s Choice Award.
The showcase opened with “In My Dreams” from Anastasia, a stunning solo by Miriam Smith. The first act brought a variety of stellar performances, including duet acting scenes like 13 Ways To Screw Up Your College Interview by R. Katragadda and M. Smith, and musical solos such as “She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress by Sofia Jorgensen. Instrumental highlights included Chase Bougie’s performance of “Allegretto” by Fernando Sor on guitar, showcasing technical skill and artistry.
Ensemble acting pieces, such as The Perils of Modern Education, brought humor and energy to the stage, while duets like “You’re Nothing Without Me” from City of Angels captivated the audience with their vocal precision and chemistry.
The second act featured unforgettable moments, including the large group musical “My Junk” from Spring Awakening. Guitarist and vocalist Oscar Wu charmed the audience with his rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Jamie Lauffer delivered a poignant solo of “Maybe I Like It This Way” from The Wild Party, and Evangeline Price earned a standing ovation with her perfect-scoring solo “I’m Not Afraid of Anything” from Songs for a New World.
Each performance reflected the dedication and passion of the students, with monologues from plays like Saint Joan and Glassheart providing powerful dramatic moments. The showcase concluded with the ensemble musical “No Reason” from Beetlejuice, leaving the audience in awe.
The technical theatre crew, led by Andrew Auster and supported by Sophia Luque, Jack O’Donnell, Leo Scruggs, Orion Vincent, and Simone Zickl, ensured a seamless production, enhancing the performances with professional-grade lighting, sound, and staging.
A special acknowledgment goes to the faculty and staff who guided these talented students and the families and friends whose support makes these opportunities possible. The Fine Arts Showcase demonstrated the incredible breadth of talent at American Heritage Schools and reaffirmed the importance of arts education in fostering creativity, discipline, and self-expression.
For more information on the Fine Arts program and upcoming performances, visit https://www.ahschool.com/palm-beach-campus/arts/performing-arts
List of Performances:
Act 1
“In My Dreams” from Anastasia: Solo Musical, Miriam Smith
A Scene from Inside the Department of the Exterior: Duet Acting, O. Arpaia & D. Swanson
“Allegretto” by Fernando Sor: Guitar, Chase Bougie
A Scene from 13 Ways To Screw Up Your College Interview: Duet Acting, R. Katragadda & M. Smith
“She Used to be Mine” from Waitress: Solo Musical, Sofia Jorgensen
“You’re Nothing Without Me” from City of Angels: Duet Musical, H. Pawlowski & L. Smith
“Good Girl Winnie Foster” from Tuck Everlasting: Solo Musical, Noa Anker
A Scene from The Perils of Modern Education: Ensemble Acting, L. Menanno, V. Patrignani, M. Zimmermann
“Partner in Crime” from Tuck Everlasting +: Duet Musical, J. Jacknow & S. Jorgensen
Arms and the Man & POTUS: Monologues, Lauryn Muller
“Maxixe” by Agustine Barrios Mangore: Guitar, Robert Kennedy
“Stepsister's Lament” from Cinderella: Duet Musical, Z. Lin & M. Zimmermann
“Stranger” from Big Fish + ^ : Solo Musical, J. Jacknow
Act 2
“My Junk” from Spring Awakening*: Large Group Musical, Arpaia & Co.
A Scene from Anxiety of Orange: Ensemble Acting, N. Anker, S. Israel, J. Keskinen
“Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley: Guitar & Vocals, Oscar Wu
“There’s Always a Woman” from Anyone Can Whistle*: Duet Musical, O. Arpaia & V. Patrignani
“Maybe I Like It This Way” from The Wild Party*: Solo Musical, Jamie Lauffer
Saint Joan & Glassheart: Monologues, Roshni Katragadda
“Oklahoma” from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*: Solo Musical, Penny Stone
“No Reason” from Beetlejuice* +: Duet Musical, J. Lauffer & E. Price
Romeo and Juliet and Tiger Stands Still: Monologues, Luciano Mennano
“I See The Light” from Tangled: Guitar, P. Goldman & I. Patrignani
“Mr. Sandman” from The Marvelous Wonderettes: Student Choreography, Lauryn Muller
The Narrative and Everything Will Be Different: Monologues, Jonathan Jacknow
“I’m Not Afraid of Anything” from Songs for a New World + ^: Solo Musical, Evangeline Price
+Perfect Score at the District X Thespian Festival
^ Critic’s Choice at the District X Thespian Festival
CREW
Andrew Auster
Sophia Luque
Jack O’Donnell
Leo Scruggs
Orion Vincent
Simone Zickl