This school year, 2007 – 2008, over 20 shows were produced by the award winning theatre departments’ of all seven high schools in the G.I.S.D. – shows including an evil queen, a host of pirates, mermaids, a hunchback with talking statues, heroes, gun shootin’ Annie Oakley, Frogs, Kings, a barn yard full of singing animals, ninjas, Rapunzel and one man-eating plant!...just to name a few! The past years shows have been nothing short of exciting and exemplary work of the students and their directors. This year’s shows were no exception as they filled auditoriums across Rowlett, Sachse and Garland in hopes to entertain, build friendships and learn the craft of acting and the technical aspects of theatre arts…and win “PATTY’S”! The annual Patty Granville Awards were created by the 14 directors of all seven high schools to encourage their students to participate in the fine art of live theatre. Each high school designates students to attend shows of the competing schools, in 4 separate categories and then judge their work from acting to back stage crew work – set, lighting and costumes. These categories are Main Stage, Musical, Children’s and Little Theatre shows with 14 awards in each. 56 “Patty’s” went home with individual students or to one of the seven G.I.S.D. high school trophy cases for all group and ensemble awards. With SachseHigh School taking home more than the rest. Sachse High School led the schools in three categories with entries for Musical Theatre, Little Theatre and Children’s Show. Their Children’s Show Rapunzel and Musical “Once Upon a Mattress” were honored as Best Shows in these two categories. RowlettHigh School shared the Best Musical category with Sachse in a tie with their version of “Bremen Town Musicians”; LakeviewCentennialHigh School took home the award for The Best Main Stage Show for their version of “Goodnight Desdemona, Goodmorning Juliet”. And, NorthGarlandHigh School and RowlettHigh School shared the title for Best Little Theatre Show. North performing their version of “Murders’ in the Heir” and Rowlett High Schools’ version of “Charlotte’s Web”. NorthGarlandHigh School swept all the acting awards for the Little Theatre category sharing, only, in a tie with RowlettHigh School for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. The evening was full of surprises by the host’ NaamanForestHigh School, led by Directors’ Kim Stinson and Chris Bryson. This was the first time in six years the event had an official Master of Ceremonies, which was performed entirely by Mitch Carr, radio personality from 98.7 KLUV and long time friend of Patty Granville, who was ever present to cheer on and greet everyone in attendance. Ms.Donna Nichols of The Nichols Network and Ebby Halliday, REALTORS, was recognized for her contributions as the first “Producer Sponsor” for this annual event. Her contribution helped offset the cost of the event’s expenses. Grand Homes was recognized as the sponsor for the NeighborsGO advertising (of The Dallas Morning News) that promote all seven high schools’ shows during the school year, this being their 5^th year to contribute to this special marketing program. Richard Valle, from The Dallas Morning News was recognized as an “Outstanding Supporter of the G.I.S.D. Fine Arts” for his contribution in bringing Grand Homes, and Donna Nichols and others together to support the students in Theatre and the Fine Arts in the G.I.S.D. Raytheon and Amy Ochs were recognized for their special contribution for the first printed souvenir program for the 6^th annual Patty Granville Awards, filled with memorable scenes from 20 of the nominated shows. Special Thanks were given to The Cultural Arts Commission, Patty Granville and The Granville Arts Center, George Jones, Brenda Hass, Lisa Burkhart, John Brasher and The G.I.S.D. Administration. Finally a very special thanks were given to all 14 high school directors, the back stage crews and to all the parents who have supported their students, schools and directors during the hundreds of hours of rehearsal for these 20 fantastic shows. All seven High Schools performed during the evening with songs, scenes and original works from the nominated shows from the 2007-2008 G.I.S.D. theatre season.  All the winners of the 2008 Patty Granville Awards will appear in this Saturday’s May 17^th edition of the Garland NeighborsGO.