EHS has once again been nominated in the Saint Louis High School Musical Theater Awards, this time for their most recent performance, “Chicago: Teen Edition.”

The show was nominated for two awards: Outstanding Orchestra and Outstanding Faculty Choreography.

The other schools the SLHSMTA selected for outstanding orchestra were Clayton High School for “Les Miserables,” Lutheran High School South “Little Women the Musical,” Marquette High School “The Drowsy Chaperone” and O’Fallon Township High School “Hadestown: Teen Edition.”

“Being nominated for this award is an exciting feeling because being in pit orchestra is a very behind-the-scenes part of drama club that not a lot of people outside of the club know,” senior Nadia Kuhlman said.

Kuhlman, a senior member of the club, has played for the pit in her last four shows, playing percussion and the piano.

“This award recognizes the hard work each musician puts into the show and brings much more attention to our part of the production,” she said.

Another member of Chicago’s pit, junior Ella Bates, said she couldn’t be more excited about the nomination.

“I was so excited when I found out that EHS was nominated,” Bates said.

Bates, who plays the flute, emphasized the importance of players knowing the music as one of the reasons for their success.

“Because the pit has such few students, it was extremely important that we all knew the music well,” Bates said. “Chicago is a jazz-focused show, so the saxophones, clarinets and trumpets had incredibly difficult parts where each section had to quickly transition from instrument to instrument.”

The other award that EHS was nominated for, Outstanding Faculty Choreography, went to club sponsor Ashley Melton.

Melton, who has been nominated for 12 awards over her last few shows, won the most for “SpongeBob: The Musical” and “Legally Blonde.”

“I am honored, of course,” Melton said. “I love that it brings the name of Edwardsville High School to the Fabulous Fox Theater, and it brings our performers closer to the professional world. I always feel that this award and nomination are a recognition of the entire cast of actors. Good choreography has to be well executed to be recognized.”

After first participating in SLHSMTA with EHS in 2017, Melton has strived to bring more awards and recognition to the program, mainly from her choreography work, which she helped EHS to win for “Legally Blonde.”

Melton believes that the best trait that helps her work with students to perfect choreography is her knowledge of the craft and her upperclassmen who share that same knowledge.

“I think that I am very good at meeting actors where they are in their movement skill and ability,” Melton said. “I can break down complicated moves and technique for movers and for trained dancers. What I think makes our choreography special is that it often includes the creations of our students. Gracie Cook and Ariel Mitchell also choreographed songs and sections of this show which made it extra special.”

While not winning either of the awards that Chicago was nominated for, the club will look to home in during next school year’s musical, looking to place again.