Encore! Homeschool Productions rehearses for its spring musical, "Willy Wonka," at The Junction Center in Manheim on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The cast of the "Willy Wonka" musical rehearses for the Encore! Homeschool Productions presentation of the musical. Ian Riethmiller, center right, playing Willy Wonka, received an honorable mention in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical Category in the Apollo Awards high school musical nominations. The cast was nominated for Outstanding Dance Number for performing the song "I Eat More."
Logan Gehman / LNP | LancasterOnline
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She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
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Logan Gehman / LNP | LancasterOnline
Encore! Homeschool Productions rehearses for its spring musical, "Willy Wonka," at The Junction Center in Manheim on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The cast of the "Willy Wonka" musical rehearses for the Encore! Homeschool Productions presentation of the musical. Ian Riethmiller, center right, playing Willy Wonka, received an honorable mention in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical Category in the Apollo Awards high school musical nominations. The cast was nominated for Outstanding Dance Number for performing the song "I Eat More."
Aired; June 5th, 2025.
Listen to the podcast to hear the full interview.
The spotlight is once again shining bright in Hershey as the 17th season of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards kicks off—an annual celebration of high school theater talent from across Central Pennsylvania.
Founded in 2008 by Tony Measley and colleagues, the Apollo Awards were created as an educational platform to support and honor student performers. What started as a small regional initiative has now grown into a major arts event with record-breaking participation.
“We are now just rolling along in our 17th season—bigger and better than ever,” said Amanda Nowell, Director of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards. “It just kind of began and took off.”
Nowell, who recently wrapped up her fourth year as director, brings both experience and passion to the role. “I just love working with teens. Their energy, their ability to learn and grow—it’s just so fun,” she said. “This is my way of giving back.”
The Apollo Awards are open to public and private schools within a 30-mile radius of the historic Hershey Theatre, including schools in Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lebanon, Perry, and parts of Lancaster County.
Last year, the program reached new heights. “We had 28 schools participate—it was a record-breaking year for us,” Nowell said. “That meant giving theater education to that many more students.”
With increasing interest from Lancaster schools, she’s optimistic that the number could grow. “Maybe we’ll hit 30 next year, and that’ll be a really cool thing for my fifth year.”
