Photo Flash: Triangle Rising Star Awards

On June 2, the best and brightest from area high schools gathered together at the 2013 Triangle Rising Star Awards, honoring the best in high school musical theater. Each of the 20 finalists were nominated based on performances in their schools' productions, and represented a diverse array of shows including The King and I, Godspell, and Grease, among others. The first awards presented were for Best Ensemble and Best Musical. The Best Ensemble award was presented to the cast of Oklahoma! at Durham Academy, and the Best Musical award was presented to Enloe High School for their production of Once Upon A Mattress. From the twenty finalists, two acting winners were announced, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to New York City to spend a week learning from Broadway professionals and to participate in the National High School Muscial Theater Awards at the Minskoff Theater. The winner for Best Actor was Sam Hamashima, for his performance as the Baker in Green Hope High School's production of Into the Woods. Sam, a junior, plans to include theater and education in his college studies. The winner for Best Actress was Anna Higginson, for her portrayal of title character Millie Dilmount in Sanderson High School's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Higginson, a senior, will attend East Carolina University in the fall as a member of the BFA program in theater. Both of these talented rising stars credit teachers with encouraging them to pursue musical theater and are grateful for their experiences in theater starting at a young age. Keep an eye out for these two on Broadway!

Photo Credit: Savannah Macias