For most actors involved in the spring musical “How to Succeed in Buisness Without Really Trying,” the last chance to perform as their characters came on closing night, before they took their final bows and retired their roles. But these “final bows” turned out to only be the beginning for the musical’s leading actor, junior Max DeLoach.

After his successful portrayal of “J. Pierrepont Finch” he was selected to be one of ten high school students to compete as Best Actor in the Ben Vereen Awards. The Ben Vereen Awards, hosted by Broadway San Diego featured the top actors and actresses to compete last Sat. June 7 at the Spreckels Theater in downtown San Diego.

“It’s really an honor,” DeLoach said. “I didn’t expect much I was just going to have fun with the show.”

It has been a couple of years since an individual from Carlsbad was selected for this level of recognition, and since then, the competition and leadership has been completely reorganized.

“This is a whole new deal,” director and teacher Mrs. Hall said. “We are pioneers, we have no idea how this works, but we are going for it.”

With very little knowledge of what the event was going to be like, DeLoach looked to the support of his friends and fellow cast members to help cheer him on as he embarked towards these exciting new endeavors.

“Working with Max is such a thrill because he is a hardworker, and it inspires everyone in the cast to want to do well,” senior Evan Ridpath said. “I’m really proud of his success with this experience, and I look forward to seeing where this takes him.”

With a cast of supporters and fans inspired by his talent and dedication, he took on the honor of being chosen to participate in such an exclusive opportunity with a positive outlook and open mind.

“I’m going to be working with some of the kids who are the best in the San Diego area, so I’m looking forward to what I can learn from them,” DeLoach said. “The performing and competition experience means a great deal.”

As it turns out, his hard work paid off and DeLoach was selected as a finalist for the regional competition and will be moving forward into the Southwest Region competition this Sat. June 14 at the Spreckels Theater. From there, he has the chance to possibly go to New York to compete in the “Jimmy Awards” on June 30. Make sure to wish him luck and give him a huge congratulations!