Justin Garza High School earns 3 Rita Moreno Awards nominations for musical

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The theater class at Justin Garza High School is celebrating a historic milestone after earning its first nominations for the Rita Moreno Award, a regional competition honoring excellence in high school musical theater.

Students learned the news as theater teacher and director Ethel Birrell read aloud the nominations.

Justin Garza High School was named one of six schools nominated for overall production for its performance of "In the Heights" by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Junior Issac Mora Zuazo, who played lead character Usnavi de la Vega, said the announcement was unforgettable.

"It was electric, and it was so, so, so, exciting," Mora Zuazo said.

Earlier this spring, Action News highlighted the ensemble ahead of its production after students performed the musical on a set previously used on Broadway.

According to Roxanne Rodriguez, program director for the Rita Moreno Awards, schools that submit productions to the competition are evaluated by adjudicators who attend live performances.

Each musical is scored using a rubric, and the six highest-scoring productions earn nominations.

"This year, we had 42 productions from 30 schools across 18 counties," Rodriguez said.

The Rita Moreno Awards program recognizes excellence in high school musical theater across multiple categories. In addition to overall production, awards are given to individual performers, including lead actor, lead actress and supporting performer.

Nearly 400 students were evaluated for individual performance categories this year. Two Justin Garza students received nominations: Bellanissa Aldape for her lead role as Nina, and Na'ima Jones for supporting performer for her role as Daniela.

At the awards ceremony, nominated casts will perform a number from their shows, and nominated individuals will audition.

Performances are scored on-site, with the highest-scoring performers taking home the awards.

Jones, a junior, said she is ready for the opportunity.

"I'm anticipating making my mark," she said. "Making my mark, sharing my talent and passion with as many people as I can."

Birrell said the overall production nomination reflects the collective effort behind the musical.

"I've always tried to say, no matter what your role is in the show, every part is important because you can't have the overall excellence that is needed without all the players," she said.

The Justin Garza High School theater program will travel together to attend the Rita Moreno Awards ceremony next Monday, May 18, at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

For news updates, follow Jessica Harrington on Facebook, X and Instagram.