Students from Lakeland Preparatory School were recognized Thursday evening, May 21, 2026, during the High School Musical Theatre Awards at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis, earning awards for Outstanding Set and Outstanding Technical Achievement.
Lakeland Prep’s production also received 20 total nominations and was named one of only six finalist productions for Outstanding Overall Production across the four-state HSMTA region. The recognition represents a significant achievement for the school during its first year operating as a full K-12 system.
Parents, students, and supporters celebrated not only the awards themselves, but also the continued growth of the school’s theatre program. Cast members spent months rehearsing and training extensively in tap dancing while helping bring to life one of Lakeland Prep’s most technically ambitious productions to date.
The performance showcased the dedication, preparation, and collaboration required to compete at one of the Mid-South’s premier student theatre events. Behind the scenes, students and faculty worked through long rehearsals and complex technical preparations that ultimately contributed to the production’s success on stage.
Lakeland Prep was also represented in the HSMTA Student Orchestra by Rachel Forbes and Charlotte Smith, highlighting the depth of the school’s performing arts talent beyond the stage cast itself.
The evening also reflected the continued evolution of high school theatre competition throughout the region. Longtime followers of the awards often point to periods of dominance by programs such as Collierville High School, Houston High School, and New Albany High School. In recent years, however, productions across the Mid-South have become increasingly advanced in both technical execution and overall performance quality.
With this year’s recognition, Lakeland Preparatory School is quickly establishing itself as one of the emerging theatre programs in the region.
