ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Theater Circle hosted its annual awards gala on March 24, celebrating the best of the city's theatrical talent. Among the standout honorees was Jacob Schmidt, a 2016 graduate of Pacific High School (PHS), who made an impressive mark across multiple categories.
Schmidt took home the award for Best Actor in a Comedy for his standout performance in the production Trayf. His portrayal of the character left a lasting impression on both audiences and critics alike, earning him this prestigious accolade.
In addition to his individual achievement, Schmidt was also a part of two winning ensembles. He contributed to both Best Ensemble in a Play for The Inheritance and Best Ensemble in a Musical for Anastasia, two productions that were also recognized with top honors. The Inheritance was named Best Play, and Anastasia took home the title of Best Musical, cementing their status as the top theatrical productions of the year.
Anastasia’s victory was especially notable for its competition, as it surpassed all the productions from the MUNY and Stages St. Louis, showcasing the extraordinary quality of the performance. Meanwhile, The Inheritance triumphed over works from the St. Louis Repertory Theatre, proving the strength and diversity of the local theater scene.
PHS’s former drama director and speech coach, who attended Anastasia with two of Schmidt’s 2016 classmates, Breanna Neaveill and Claire Blythe, offered high praise for the musical. "Anastasia is truly THE BEST local musical production I have seen in years," Kappeler shared. "I saw the show with a pair of Jacob's 2016 classmates, and all three of us walked out stunned at the quality of the show.”
Read more about The St. Louis Theater Circle here.
