HCHS Theatre

05/29/2026

Congratulations again to the HCHS students and distinguished cast members of this year’s production of “Once Upon a Mattress” who represented us at last night’s Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards showcase!!! ❤️🖤🎭

Opening Medley: Emeri Smith and Jayden Lacy
Triple Threat Medley: Angel Stern

Awards received:
Angel Stern - “Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role”, “Triple Threat” nomination
Jayden Lacy - “Special Recognition in a Principal Role”
Emeri Smith (assistant director/choreographer) - “Distinguished Scene: Very Soft Shoes”

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Angel Stern, Emeri Smith, and Jayden Lacy, who will represent HCHS Theatre tonight at the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) Showcase at the Des Moines Civic Center! Over the past week, they have worked alongside Broadway professionals to prepare for this incredible sold-out event, where they will perform live in front of thousands of audience members at 7:00 PM!

📺 The showcase will also be livestreamed by Iowa PBS!
https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/musicaltheater/episode/14153/2026-iowa-high-school-musical-theater-awards-showcase

We are so proud to see HCHS Theatre represented on the statewide stage. Break a leg tonight, Angel, Emeri, and Jayden! ❤️

We are also thrilled to celebrate the many honors earned this year for Once Upon a Mattress:

🏆 Triple Threat & Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role
✨ Angelica Stern as Princess Winnifred

🏆 Special Recognition in a Principal Role
✨ Elisa Castellanos as Queen Aggravain
✨ Jayden Lacy as The Jester
✨ Zeke Christensen as The Minstrel
✨ Eli Sorensen as King Sextimus
✨ Chloe Hol as Princess #12, Lady Maybelle, and Bird

🏆 Distinguished Scene
✨ “Very Soft Shoes” — Choreographed by Emeri Smith

Congratulations to all of our talented students and director on these outstanding recognitions! 🎶👏

04/29/2026

The community theatre is putting on a GREAT show this weekend! Let Mrs. Weis know if you want to usher! Ushers get in free!

Steel Magnolias
Friday and Saturday 7pm
Sunday 2pm

04/20/2026

That’s a wrap on gainful employment!! Thanks to everyone who came out, and congrats to all seniors as this was their last show with the HCHS Theater Department!!!

04/16/2026

04/09/2026

Come see Gainful Employment on April 17th at 7pm or Saturday, April 18th at 2pm — a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy where job interviews go wildly wrong and office chaos reigns… all under the watch of a not-so-innocent corporation with a secret plan of world-domination. Free admission! HCHS Auditorium

02/23/2026

The International Thespian Society is an honor society for students heavily involved in theater activities. Please welcome our new inductees to Harlan Thespian Troupe 159: MaryRuth Wilwerding, Emeri Smith, Sofia Gallardo-Barajas, and AnnaLeigh Sheehan!!! Congrats, thespians!!🎭

02/04/2026

As we remember Mia Schwieso this week, we’d like to share one way that her legacy of kindness lives on…

Eli Sorensen was recognized by the cast of Once Upon a Mattress with the Mia Award, an honor given each production to the cast or crew member who is most mentioned when their castmates were asked: Who went out of their way to be kind to you? Who made you feel welcomed?
Congratulations, Eli, and may we all 🩵

01/30/2026

Enjoy these production photos from Once Upon A Mattress from our very own Allison Retzlaff, junior at HCHS! Thank you, Allison!