Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2016 Rising Star Award Nominations!
By: Tyler Peterson May. 09, 2016
As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way. The theater will be the recipient of this year's Regional Theatre Tony Award. Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey. Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (LES MISERABLES), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin), Shanice Williams, star of NBC's The Wiz Live! and Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon). The 2016 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Presented by the Investors Foundation ceremony will take place at Paper Mill Playhouse on Tuesday, June 7, at 7:30pm, featuring presenters from Broadway and beyond. The ceremony will be broadcast live on television and online through Paper Mill Playhouse video partner, Hometowne Television, of Summit, New Jersey.
Among the top nominated high schools, Summit High School leads with 18 nominations, followed by Union High School with 12 nominations, Westfield High School with 11 nominations and Columbia High School (Maplewood) with 10 nominations.
"We are very excited to celebrate excellence in high school musical theater with the students of New Jersey," commented Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director. "For many New Jersey schools, the prestigious honor of a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star nomination is the culmination of their hard work in a high school musical. Many of our Rising Star nominees and winners are now working professionally and have won esteemed industry awards while working in theater and film."
Past Rising Star nominees and recipients recently appeared on Broadway in She Loves Me (Laura Benanti), Noises Off (Rob McClure), American Psycho (Morgan Weed) Aladdin (Josh Dela Cruz, Jonathan Schwartz, Kathryn Allison), LES MISERABLES (Nikki M. James), Disney's The Lion King (Jelani Remy), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Julia Knitel), Jersey Boys (Russell Fisher), The Phantom of the Opera (Julia Udine), London's West End production of The Book of Mormon (Jared Gertner); the Public Theater's Grounded (Anne Hathaway). Shanice Williams, star of NBC's The Wiz Live was nominated for a Rising Star Award in 2014.
Paper Mill Director of Education Lisa Cooney explains, "What's happening in high school musical productions here in New Jersey and around the country is remarkable. Programs like the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards raise the bar and create opportunities for student performers and theater technicians to be recognized for their achievements, while giving them access to thousands of dollars in scholarships and professional training. We consistently hear from top-tier colleges and casting directors that a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award is a significant accolade for an aspiring theater artist."
The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Presented by the Investors Foundation are modeled after the Tony Awards, and Paper Mill Playhouse's program serves the entire state of New Jersey, with nearly 100 entered productions from public, private and parochial high schools. Paper Mill Playhouse conceived and created the awards in 1996 to give schools the opportunity to showcase their musical arts programs on a statewide level. The musicals are adjudicated by Paper Mill Playhouse throughout the spring by a group of 70 evaluators, with each school receiving four independent evaluations. Schools nominated for Outstanding Overall Musical and Leading Actor/Actress nominees perform at the event, and award recipients are presented with an engraved crystal award from Tiffany & Co.
"We are proud to support the 2016 Rising Star Awards," said Investors Bank President and CEO Kevin Cummings. "All of the nominees put in a tremendous amount of time and hard work into their productions, and it has certainly shown with all the amazing shows put on this year. Best of luck to all the nominees!"
Paper Mill Playhouse also awards $5,000 in scholarships at the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Presented by the Investors Foundation. Five $1,000 cash scholarships are given to outstanding individual students who plan to continue studying theater performance or technical theater in college. Paper Mill Playhouse is pleased to award a prize of $500 to a school receiving the 2016 Educational Impact Award, which acknowledges a school that successfully connects the musical to the district's curriculum, using the production as a teaching tool for the greater student body and local community. Through the Rising Star "Theatre for Everyone" Inclusion and Access Award and a partnership with VSA New Jersey and The Cultural Access Network of New Jersey, a project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Paper Mill Playhouse will present a cash award of $1,000 to a school to recognize excellence in the promotion and practice of creative inclusion of students and adults with disabilities as performers, designers, musicians and production staff. Additionally, this award seeks to recognize and reward a school that takes steps to ensure their performances are accessible to audiences with disabilities.
Lastly, students receiving final nominations in the lead and supporting acting categories receive a scholarship to Paper Mill Playhouse's competitive Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory, a professional training program, which, along with advanced classes in singing, acting and dance, offers the nominees an opportunity to perform onstage at Paper Mill Playhouse in the season finale concert, "New Voices of 2016: Everything Old is New Again!" on July 29 and July 30.
The 2016 Rising Star Awards Presented by the Investors Foundation are also generously supported by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and MetLife Foundation.
Rising Star scholarships are made possible by Ruth Bedford in memory of Jane Burgio, Walt Santner in honor of Janet Sovey, and the Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund Trust. The "Theatre for Everyone" Inclusion and Access Award is supported by VSA New Jersey and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is grateful for generous contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals.
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theaters. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
2016 Rising Star Awards Nominations and Honorable Mentions
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Final Nominations
Academy of the Holy Angels....................................................................... CHILDREN OF EDEN
Columbia HS................................................................................................ DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Fair Lawn HS............................................................................................... CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS.......................................................................... THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD
Summit HS.................................................................................................. MARY POPPINS
Union HS...................................................................................................... MARY POPPINS
Westfield HS............................................................................................... INTO THE WOODS
Honorable Mentions
Morristown-Beard School........................................................................... PIPPIN
Northern Valley Reg. HS @ Old Tappan..................................................... HOW TO SUCCEED...
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South........................................................... A CHORUS LINE
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Final Nominations
Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts....... THE WIZ......................................................... Haneefah James as "Dorothy"
Delaware Valley Reg. HS............................................ INTO THE WOODS......................................... Claire Wolfson as "The Baker's Wife"
James Caldwell HS..................................................... SEUSSICAL..................................................... Mollie DeFilippo as "Gertrude McFuzz"
Morris Hills HS............................................................ JEKYLL & HYDE............................................... Makenzi Schaefer as "Lucy"
Rahway HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. Najah Hetsberger as "Mary Poppins"
Red Bank Catholic HS................................................. THE LITTLE MERMAID................................... Kathryn Mazza as "Ariel"
Summit HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. Claire Fitzpatrick as "Mary Poppins"
Honorable Mentions
Christian Brothers Academy....................................... THE 25TH ANNUAL...SPELLING BEE.............. Taylor Bera as "Olive Ostrovsky"
Mater Dei HS.............................................................. DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID................... Alysa Finnegan as "Ariel"
Moorestown HS.......................................................... HELLO, DOLLY!............................................... Nicole Tsarouhas as "Dolly Levi"
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS......................................... THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD................ Caroline Scobee as "Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood"
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Final Nominations
Academy of the Holy Angels...................................... CHILDREN OF EDEN....................................... Nick Berninger as "Father"
Fair Lawn HS............................................................... CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL................................. Trevor Braun as "Charlie Chaplin"
Morris Hills HS............................................................ JEKYLL & HYDE............................................... William Taitel as "Jekyll/Hyde"
Summit HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. Sean McManus as "Bert"
Union HS..................................................................... MARY POPPINS.............................................. Jonathan Duvelson as "Bert"
West Morris Central HS.............................................. IN THE HEIGHTS............................................ Caleb Hafen as "Usnavi"
Westfield HS............................................................... INTO THE WOODS......................................... Tony Peer as "The Baker"
Honorable Mentions
Franklin HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. Dylan Coker as "Bert"
Rahway HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. Michael Akakpo as "Bert"
Vernon Township HS.................................................. MY FAIR LADY................................................ Dominick Gonzalez as "Henry Higgins"
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Final Nominations
Mater Dei HS.............................................................. DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID................... Ashley Diana as "Ursula"
Morris Knolls HS......................................................... LES MISERABLES: SCHOOL EDITION............. Alyssa Shoemaker as "Eponine"
Pingry School............................................................... CABARET........................................................ Jasmin Palmer as "Fraulein Schneider"
Red Bank Catholic HS................................................. THE LITTLE MERMAID................................... Samantha Siriani as "Ursula"
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS......................................... THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD ............... Sara Miller as "Angela Prysock/Princess Puffer"
Summit HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. Catie Floegel as "Winifred Banks"
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South........................... A CHORUS LINE............................................. Emma Kothari as "Diana Morales"
Honorable Mentions
Fair Lawn HS............................................................... CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL................................. Jillian Coleman as "Hedda Hopper"
River Dell Senior HS.................................................... LES MISERABLES: SCHOOL EDITION............. Jenna Craig as "Cosette"
St. Joseph Regional HS............................................... URINETOWN................................................. Rianna LeHane as "Little Sally"
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Final Nominations
Chatham HS................................................................ SHREK............................................................ Neil McCaffrey as "Lord Farquaad"
Columbia HS............................................................... DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ............. Grant King as "Lumiere"
High Tech HS.............................................................. PIPPIN............................................................ Thomas Short as "Charlemagne"
Montclair Kimberley Academy................................... NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.................... Ross Turkington as "Cookie McGee"
Sayreville War Memorial HS...................................... DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL .............. Brett Jones as "Ryan Evans"
Summit HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. Keegan McManus as "George Banks"
Westfield HS............................................................... INTO THE WOODS......................................... Frank Guerriero as "Cinderella's Prince/Wolf"
Honorable Mentions
Absegami HS.............................................................. SPAMALOT..................................................... Michael Moore as "Sir Robin"
Academy of the Holy Angels...................................... CHILDREN OF EDEN....................................... Bill Fitzpatrick as "Cain/Japheth"
St. Joseph Regional HS............................................... URINETOWN................................................. Joseph McDonald as "Officer Lockstock"
Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role
Final Nominations
Bernards HS................................................................ GUYS AND DOLLS.......................................... Jack Broderick as "Nicely-Nicely Johnson"
Fair Lawn HS............................................................... CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL................................. Nicki Kissil as "Hannah Chaplin"
Madison HS................................................................. THE LITTLE MERMAID................................... Max Vigotov as "Scuttle"
Montclair Kimberley Academy................................... NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.................... Liam Gerard as "Duke Mahoney"
Union HS..................................................................... MARY POPPINS.............................................. Lisette Serrano as "Miss Andrew"
Union HS..................................................................... MARY POPPINS.............................................. Crystal Wright as "Mrs. Corry"
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South........................... A CHORUS LINE............................................. Eric Judson as "Paul"
Honorable Mentions
Columbia HS............................................................... DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ............. Hunter Kovacs as "Cogsworth"
Columbia HS............................................................... DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ............. Matthew Lintern as "Lefou"
Morris County School of Technology.......................... ONCE ON THIS ISLAND.................................. Julianna Belles as "Asaka"
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Member
Final Nominations
Bernards HS................................................................ GUYS AND DOLLS.......................................... Greg Lobo as "Big Jule"
Clearview Regional HS............................................... THE ADDAMS FAMILY................................... Dylan Kelly as "Lurch"
River Dell Senior HS.................................................... LES MISERABLES: SCHOOL EDITION............. Kenneth Steimle as "Grantaire/Bamatabois"
Rumson-Fair Haven Reg. HS...................................... BONNIE AND CLYDE...................................... Jenny Greener as "Emma Parker"
Secaucus HS................................................................ LEGALLY BLONDE.......................................... Daniel Pokras as "Kyle"
Honorable Mentions
Christian Brothers Academy....................................... THE 25TH ANNUAL...SPELLING BEE ............. Ed Nowak as "Carl"
Mount Olive HS........................................................... BIG FISH........................................................ Andrea Shlesinger as "Girl in the Water"
Ridge HS..................................................................... THE ADDAMS FAMILY................................... Erik Dannenberg as "Lurch"
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group
Final Nominations
Bergen County Academies.......................................... EVITA............................................................. "Peron's Mistresses"
Columbia HS............................................................... DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ............. "Silly Girls"
Morristown-Beard School........................................... PIPPIN............................................................ "Manson Trio"
Northern Valley Reg. HS @ Old Tappan.................... HOW TO SUCCEED........................................ "Secretaries"
Summit HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS.............................................. "Sweeps"
Union HS..................................................................... MARY POPPINS.............................................. "Sweeps"
Honorable Mention
Chatham HS................................................................ SHREK.............................................................. "Duloc Performers"
Madison HS................................................................. THE LITTLE MERMAID..................................... "Mersisters"
Pascack Valley HS....................................................... URINETOWN................................................... "The Poor"
Outstanding Performance by a Chorus
Final Nominations
Academy of the Holy Angels....................................................................... CHILDREN OF EDEN
Columbia HS................................................................................................ DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Cranford HS................................................................................................. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Rahway HS.................................................................................................. MARY POPPINS
Summit HS.................................................................................................. MARY POPPINS
Union HS...................................................................................................... MARY POPPINS
Westfield HS............................................................................................... INTO THE WOODS
Honorable Mentions
Morristown-Beard School........................................................................... PIPPIN
Princeton Day School................................................................................... THE BOYFRIEND
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South........................................................... A CHORUS LINE
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Final Nominations
Fair Lawn HS............................................................................................... CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL
Mount Olive HS........................................................................................... BIG FISH
Rahway HS.................................................................................................. MARY POPPINS
Ridge HS...................................................................................................... THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Summit HS.................................................................................................. MARY POPPINS
West Morris Central HS.............................................................................. IN THE HEIGHTS
Honorable Mentions
Franklin HS.................................................................................................. MARY POPPINS
Hillsborough HS........................................................................................... INTO THE WOODS
Westfield HS............................................................................................... INTO THE WOODS
Outstanding Achievement by a Teacher or Outside Director
Final Nominations
Academy of the Holy Angels.................................... CHILDREN OF EDEN........................................... Katie McSherry
Columbia HS............................................................. DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ................. Tricia Benn, Bethany Pettigrew
Fair Lawn HS............................................................. CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL..................................... John Giresi
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS....................................... THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD ................... Matthew Capodicasa
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Anne Poyner
Union HS................................................................... MARY POPPINS.................................................. James Mosser
Westfield HS............................................................. INTO THE WOODS............................................. Daniel Devlin
Honorable Mentions
Morristown-Beard School......................................... PIPPIN................................................................ Susan Speidel
Northern Valley Reg. HS @ Old Tappan.................. HOW TO SUCCEED............................................ Susan Van Buskirk
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South......................... A CHORUS LINE................................................. Marilyn Magnone Stoddard
Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction
Final Nominations
Academy of the Holy Angels...................................... CHILDREN OF EDEN......................................... George Croom
Columbia HS............................................................... DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ............... Jamie Bunce, Peter Bauer
Morristown-Beard School........................................... PIPPIN.............................................................. Ben Krauss
Northern Valley Reg. HS @ Old Tappan.................... HOW TO SUCCEED.......................................... Janine Nehila, Amy Wilcox
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS......................................... THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD ................. Jan Allen, Durand Thomas
Summit HS.................................................................. MARY POPPINS................................................ Wayne Mallette, Steve Rapp
Union HS..................................................................... MARY POPPINS................................................ James Mosser, Laura Muller
Honorable Mentions
Cranford HS............................................................... FIDDLER ON THE ROOF..................................... Nick DeGregorio, Mark Baron, Lynn C. Berry
Rahway HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Robert Van Wyk
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South......................... A CHORUS LINE................................................. David Westawski, Jesse Argenziano
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography and Staging
Final Nominations
Academy of the Holy Angels.................................... CHILDREN OF EDEN........................................... Ariane Ryan
Columbia HS............................................................. DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ................. Tricia Benn, Bethany Pettigrew
Perth Amboy HS........................................................ THE ADDAMS FAMILY....................................... Marci Lee Moriarty
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Kelly Mott-Sacks
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy.............................. WEST SIDE STORY............................................. Yasmin Maher
Union HS................................................................... MARY POPPINS.................................................. Jennifer Williams
West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South......................... A CHORUS LINE................................................. Marilyn Mangone Stoddard
Honorable Mentions
Morristown-Beard School......................................... PIPPIN................................................................ Jim Ruttman
Princeton Day School................................................ THE BOYFRIEND................................................ Ann Robideaux
Rahway HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Alison Dooley
Outstanding Scenic Achievement
Final Nominations
Northern Valley Reg. HS @ Old Tappan.................. HOW TO SUCCEED............................................ Annette Murphy, Steve Maietta, Nicole Cole,
Celia Gollub
Passaic County Technical Institute........................... MAN OF LA MANCHA........................................ Robert Vendetti
Ridge HS................................................................... THE ADDAMS FAMILY....................................... Jason M. Stewart
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS....................................... THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD ................... Jeffrey Allen
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Travis McHale
Union HS................................................................... MARY POPPINS.................................................. Diane Esquivel, James Mosser
Westfield HS............................................................. INTO THE WOODS............................................. Roy Chambers
Honorable Mentions
Columbia HS............................................................. DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ................. Jon Zaccone, Vance Entertainment
High Tech HS............................................................ PIPPIN................................................................ Clifton Chadick
West Morris Central HS............................................ IN THE HEIGHTS................................................ Ron Kadri
Outstanding Lighting Achievement
Final Nominations
Columbia HS............................................................. DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ................. Tara Marie Abbondante
Cranford HS............................................................... FIDDLER ON THE ROOF..................................... Mark Reilly
Fair Lawn HS............................................................. CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL..................................... Andrew Scharwath
Ridge HS................................................................... THE ADDAMS FAMILY....................................... Dave Kern
Union HS................................................................... MARY POPPINS.................................................. Coby Chasman-Beck
Vineland HS.............................................................. MARY POPPINS.................................................. Catherine Scanlon, Emily Scanlon,
Jeff Bettencourt
Westfield HS............................................................. INTO THE WOODS............................................. Sharp Edge Lighting Design
Honorable Mentions
Madison HS............................................................... THE LITTLE MERMAID....................................... Zach Pizza
Morristown-Beard School......................................... PIPPIN................................................................ Nicholas Marmo
Mount Olive HS......................................................... BIG FISH............................................................ Jeff Christian
Outstanding Costuming Achievement
Final Nominations
Bergen County Academies........................................ EVITA................................................................. Janet Adamo, Victoria Peru, Terry Thiry
Chatham HS.............................................................. SHREK................................................................ Barbara Fertakos
Gill St. Bernard's School........................................... THE BOYFRIEND................................................ Paul H. Canada, Beth Holland
Princeton Day School................................................ THE BOYFRIEND................................................ Deb Sugarman
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS....................................... THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD ................... Joanne Sprague
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Katherine Winter
Union HS................................................................... MARY POPPINS.................................................. James Mosser, Jennifer Williams, Leslie Laurino
Honorable Mentions
Columbia HS............................................................. DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ................. Kathy Nye, Carol Rutledge, Suzanne Roganchi,
Barbara Canace
Mount Olive HS......................................................... BIG FISH............................................................ Jeffrey Meek, Lyric Theatre
Northern Valley Reg. HS @ Old Tappan.................. HOW TO SUCCEED............................................ Donna Dolby
Outstanding Hair & Make-up Achievement
Final Nominations
Chatham HS.............................................................. SHREK................................................................ Stephanie Cooperman, Julie Edwards
Clearview Regional HS............................................. THE ADDAMS FAMILY....................................... Celine Lockman, Fiona Kniaz, Alex Salvitti,
Angela Colo, Gina Freshcoln
Columbia HS............................................................. DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ................. Kim Shriver, Suzanne Roghanchi, Skye Tyson
Pascack Valley HS..................................................... URINETOWN..................................................... Merielle Lupfer
Princeton Day School................................................ THE BOYFRIEND................................................ Hope Ammidon, Matthew Kuenne
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Rebecca Arnold
Westfield HS............................................................. INTO THE WOODS............................................. Allie Safonov
Honorable Mentions
Morristown-Beard School......................................... PIPPIN................................................................ Julia Papas, Perri Easley, Adelyn Berrocal
Perth Amboy HS........................................................ THE ADDAMS FAMILY....................................... Meghan Reeves
Union HS................................................................... MARY POPPINS.................................................. Not Listed
Student Achievement Award
(20 finalists, 10 recipients will be announced)
Final Nominations
Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts..... THE WIZ............................................................. Kayla Williams, Stage Manager
Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts..... THE WIZ............................................................. Makiyah Baptiste, Hair and Makeup Designer
Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts..... THE WIZ............................................................. Darnisha Thomas, Costume Designer
David Brearley HS..................................................... AIDA................................................................... Adela Llagami, Scenic Painter
David Brearley HS..................................................... AIDA................................................................... John Hartmann, Assistant Set Designer
Delaware Valley Reg. HS.......................................... INTO THE WOODS............................................. Gabrielle Cascio, Stage Manager
Morris County School of Technology........................ ONCE ON THIS ISLAND...................................... Kaitlyn Esposito, Student Director/Choreographer
Morris County School of Technology........................ ONCE ON THIS ISLAND...................................... Emma Nafz, Stage Manager
Morristown HS.......................................................... ONCE UPON A MATTRESS................................ Alexandra Fielding, Julia Halasz, Graphic Designers
Morristown-Beard HS............................................... PIPPIN................................................................ Taylor Jaskula, Grace Hromin, Nicolette Larson,
Liza Leever, Stage Managers
Mount Olive HS......................................................... BIG FISH............................................................ Dominic Hendrickson, Student Director
Mount Olive HS......................................................... BIG FISH............................................................ Kara Byrnes, Student Choreographer
River Dell Senior HS.................................................. LES MISERABLES: SCHOOL EDITION ................ Ryan Dent, Lighting Designer
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Sydney Giusto, Props Mistress
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Costume Crew
Summit HS................................................................ MARY POPPINS.................................................. Katherine Recio, Student Director
West Milford Township HS...................................... YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.................................... Val Pellington, Graphic Designer
Westfield HS............................................................. INTO THE WOODS............................................. Devyn Tibbals, Stage Manager
Westfield HS............................................................. INTO THE WOODS............................................. Madeline Kevelson, Costume Designer
Westfield HS............................................................. INTO THE WOODS............................................. Sarah Morton, Assistant Technical Director
The Educational Impact Award
Final Nominations
Butler HS.................................................................................................... WILLY WONKA
Columbia HS............................................................................................... DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Mount Olive HS......................................................................................... BIG FISH
Passaic County Technical Institute......................................................... MAN OF LA MANCHA
Perth Amboy HS........................................................................................ THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Princeton Day School............................................................................... THE BOYFRIEND
Ridge High School..................................................................................... THE ADDAMS FAMILY
St. Joseph Regional HS............................................................................. URINETOWN
Summit HS.................................................................................................. MARY POPPINS
The Pingry School..................................................................................... CABARET
Rising Star "Theatre for Everyone" Inclusion and Access Award
Final Nominations
Bernards HS............................................................................................... GUYS AND DOLLS
Moorestown HS........................................................................................ HELLO, DOLLY!
Morristown HS.......................................................................................... ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
The Pingry School..................................................................................... CABARET
Videos
