20 North Carolina high school students compete for musical theater award

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Twenty central North Carolina high school students competed for a chance at a national musical theater award.

The event is called the DPAC Rising Star Awards, and it happened May 9 at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

The 20 finalists performed live on the stage for a chance to advance to the national level at the Jimmy Awards in New York City. In total, 11 awards were presented in different categories during the event. But at the end of the event, just two students were selected to advance to nationals.

Those two students were Alex Fluker of Panther Creek High School and Conor Kruger of Enloe High School.

Other winners on the night include:

• Best Musical -- Enloe High School, Les Miserables
• Best Ensemble -- Weaver Academy, Something Rotten
• Best Set Design -- Durham School of the Arts, Into The Woods
• Best Costume Design -- Apex Friendship High School, The Addams Family
• Best Lighting Design -- Green Level High School, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
• Best Choreography -- Carrboro High School, Anything Goes
• Best Student Orchestra -- Knightdale High School, The Spongebob Musical
• Best Dancer -- Andrey Lewis, Needham B. Broughton High School
• DPAC Shining Star Award -- David Hatcher, Panther Creek High School

American Idol star Clay Aiken returned to host the event.

"When I was growing up and going to high school, I was very involved in the musical programs, but there weren't that many other kids at my school who were and and, you know, these kids get to come and be a part of this program, not just with folks from this part of the state, but from all around the country who have the same passions that they do. And I think that makes it so much more exciting for them," he said.

To learn more about the program click here.