Delano High School Joins Statewide Spotlight Program

The Hennepin Arts program connects Minnesota high school theater students with professionals through assessments, workshops and recognition.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of a warm mustard spotlight pool on an empty wooden stage with dark seats beyond, evoking student theater recognition. — Delano High School is one of 107 Minnesota schools in Hennepin Arts' Spotlight Education program, which serves nearly 8,000 students statewide in 2026-27. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Delano High School is among 107 Minnesota schools taking part in Hennepin Arts' Spotlight Education program this school year. The program serves nearly 8,000 students statewide in 2026-27.

Why it matters

The program gives high school theater students feedback from theater professionals and formal recognition for their productions. For Minnesota students and schools, it offers a structured path to evaluate and showcase their work.

Hennepin Arts reports 107 participating Minnesota schools and nearly 8,000 students in the 2026-27 program. The figures are program-wide totals, and the extraction gives no breakdown by school or district.

The players

Hennepin Arts

Hennepin Arts is the organization that runs the Spotlight Education program, which recognizes and supports high school theater across Minnesota.

The details

Delano has participated in Spotlight Education for years. In 2025, its production of Hadestown: Teen Edition earned honors for student performances and technical work, and in May 2026 graduate LuziAnah Feldmann was selected as a Triple Threat participant.

2025: Delano's Hadestown: Teen Edition earns Spotlight honors.
May 2026: LuziAnah Feldmann is selected as a Triple Threat participant.
2026-27 school year: 107 Minnesota schools take part in Spotlight Education.
June 14-15, 2027: Spotlight Showcase takes place at the State Theatre in Minneapolis.

Season Trajectory

Spotlight Education has built a statewide roster of 107 schools and nearly 8,000 students, with Delano's repeated participation feeding into the program's culminating Spotlight Showcase. The 2027 showcase at the State Theatre will bring more than 1,200 student performers together.

For Minnesota families with students in high school theater, the program offers formal feedback and recognition that can shape future opportunities. Students selected for programs like Triple Threat or featured at the State Theatre gain public performance experience.

The takeaway

Statewide arts programs like Spotlight Education give high school performers a professional standard to work toward. Students interested in theater can seek out similar local showcases and ask their schools about participation.

What happens next

The program culminates with the Spotlight Showcase on June 14-15, 2027, at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, where more than 1,200 students are expected to perform.