Aspire PAC Receives 5 Nominations From NJACT

Aspire Performing Arts Company (PAC) is pleased to announce that it recently received five Perry Award nominations from the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT).

NJACT's Perry Awards, now in their 45th year, celebrate the best of Community Theater in the state of New Jersey. This is the third year in which Aspire PAC has been nominated, and the most nominations the company has received from NJACT. This year also marks the first time the company has been recognized outside of the categories specifically for youth performance.

Aspire PAC received nominations for four of its youth performers - Courtney Bulger (Pompton Plains), Jonathan Cocca (Wayne), Julia DiGirolamo (Elizabeth), and Ginger May (Bridgewater). Charles Linnell, who has served as Music Director on 10 Aspire PAC productions, was also nominated in the Outstanding Music Direction category for the company's 2017 production of Grease.

On Sunday, September 16, four of the nominees, accompanied by their families and Aspire PAC Artistic Director Lisa Beth Vettoso, attended the NJACT awards ceremony, held at Union County Performing Arts Center. Artistic staff and performers representing productions throughout the state of New Jersey attended the ceremony.

Aspire PAC Artistic Director Lisa Beth Vettoso said "I am thrilled for my incredibly talented performers and artistic staff to receive this recognition from NJACT. New Jersey has some of the best community theater in the country, and we are proud and honored to be part of the great work that is happening here."

Nominations were received in the following categories:

· Outstanding Youth Actor in a Musical:

o Jonathan Cocca in Grease

· Outstanding Youth Actress in a Musical:

o Courtney Bulger in Grease

o Julia DiGirolamo in Heathers the Musical

o Ginger May in Grease

· Outstanding Music Direction

o Charles Linnell for Grease

Aspire PAC's mission is to provide educational workshops and production opportunities for children and teens, offering a professional arts experience in a friendly atmosphere. For more information about Aspire PAC and its upcoming programs, visit www.aspirepac.com or call 201-220-4933. You can also find Aspire on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.