The recent Southeast Valley High School graduate was always drawn to the idea of singing and performing on stage. It took a while, though, for Fisher Jr. to understand what all of those emotions and dreams actually meant.

“A part of me always wanted to do something music (related), but I could never figure out what it was,” Fisher Jr. said. “It wasn’t until my sophomore year, when I did my first musical, that I fell in love with theater.”

In the fall of 2022, Fisher Jr. auditioned for Southeast Valley’s rendition of “Mary Poppins.” He was hooked. Honing his craft for years and learning as much as possible about the art behind it, Fisher Jr. slowly but surely became a decorated and well-recognized prep talent.

At this year’s Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards in Des Moines, Fisher Jr. — already named a Triple Threat program finalist for his role as “Dmitry” last fall in Southeast Valley’s “Anastasia: The Musical” — earned one of the state’s four Des Moines Performing Arts Broadway Intensive camp scholarships. Fisher Jr. is headed to New York City later this week for the week-long experience, which starts next Monday.

“I was honestly in complete shock when I heard my name called as one of the recipients,” the 17-year-old Fisher Jr. said. “I remember having the biggest smile on my face … it was just the best feeling.”

Fisher Jr. — the only non-Class 4A recipient from Iowa — will join Ryenne Lacher of North Scott, Millana Jimenez of Davenport North and Indianola’s Brady Meyers for the July 14-19 camp.

“I hope to gain a new perspective on theatre, go through an amazing experience and (find a) deeper understanding of how to develop a better way to immerse myself into the pieces I perform,” said Fisher Jr., who was born in Oklahoma City but has lived in Gowrie for most of his life. “I’m inspired by being able to connect to a piece of music on such a deep level, then perform it to the best of my abilities.”

Fisher Jr. was the first Southeast Valley student ever to land a spot on the Iowa All-State Chorus list last fall, and he received a Division I rating in the spring for his solo/ensemble performance by the Iowa High School Music Association. Fisher Jr.’s performance in “Anastasia” earned him “Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role” honors from the IHSMTA.

Fisher Jr., who will attend Iowa Central Community College this fall, was also able to participate in Iowa Central’s “Legally Blonde” musical in the spring.

“I want to learn more about music and be the best (performer) I can be at Iowa Central, then go to a higher level of music education,” said Fisher Jr., who added his inspirations range from his friends and fellow theater participants all the way to Tony Award-winning actor and singer Joshua Henry. “Being (in “Legally Blonde”) was a great experience that I really loved. They were so welcoming for me being a senior going into a college production. Miss Teresa (Jackson, ICCC’s long-time director of theatre) was so (supportive) and treated me the same as everyone else. Everything just felt natural — like I was meant to be there.

“I tried a lot of things new to me musically (this past year), and seemed to have picked it up.”

The 2025 IHSMTA Showcase featured 600 student performers or off-stage technicians from 103 different schools. Iowa PBS will broadcast a state-wide viewing of the performance — which will include Fisher Jr. and fellow Southeast Valley students Taylor Willardson and Aurora Dencklau — on Monday at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Fort Dodge Senior High’s Melanie Carrion, Owen Hamlow and Abbi Casciato were also selected to participate in the Triple Threat program. Carrion, Hamlow, Casciato, Amelia Stephan, Jayden Lennon and Alexa McHone represented FDSH at the IHSMTA Showcase.

Fort Dodge was given “Outstanding Overall Performance” and “Outstanding Ensemble” recognition for its own version of “Anastasia” in the spring. Carrion (Anya), Hamlow (Dmitry), Casciato (Dowager Empress) and Stephan (Countess Lily) garnered “Outstanding Achievement in a Principal Role” honors as well, with Lennon (Gleb) and Aidan Recker (Vlad) landing “Special Recognition in a Principal Role” spots.

The IHSMTA program was founded by Des Moines Performing Arts.