Stonington High’s Performing Arts Society moves to center stage at the Garde Theater for the 2009 CT High School Music Theater Awards!

by Rita Michaels

 Come May 24^th Stonington High School performers will find themselves center stage at the Garde Theater along with fourteen other hopeful high schools.  Stonington High’s talented Performing Arts Society beckoned us “Into the Woods” this spring and came out with an armful of nominations for their presentation of that Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical.  Last fall, Brett Bernardini, the Spirit of Broadway Theater Founding Artistic Director & CEO, announced Connecticut’s own awards program, the CT High School Music Theater Awards, dedicated to honoring and showcasing its high school musical theater talent.   So, Stonington High School became one of those fourteen high schools around Connecticut competing for nominations ranging in categories from Best Actor to Lighting Design and from Best Supporting Actress to Costuming Achievement.  The CT High School Music Theater Awards committee announced their 2009 nominations and Stonington received ten of them – the second highest of any of the competing schools - a great “HAPPILY EVER AFTER” moment for our school’s Drama Program!  The awards will be presented at a black tie, gala awards ceremony on May 24^th at the Garde Arts Center in New London.  The two lucky and talented students who are awarded “Best Leading Actor and Actress” will then move on to compete for top national awards on June 27th at The Palace Theater in New York City.  Mr. Michael McKee, Stonington’s school Superintendent will be attending and will be the presenter if or should I say when Stonington wins in one of the categories!

Each competing school’s production was secretly adjudicated during one or two of its shows by a team of individuals with diverse theater expertise.  Schools’ Directors were also required to submit documentation covering all aspects of the production.  We hope that this is just the beginning for this fledgling awards venue.

 

Nominations for Stonington are:

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

                        Matt Georgetti – The Baker 

• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:  

                        Ellen Petersen - Little Red Riding Hood

• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: 

                        Stephen Guthrie – The Wolf

• Outstanding Performance by a Chorus:    Stonington High School
• Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction:   Chris Stanley
• Outstanding Scenic Achievement:  Dave Packer / Erin Stanley
• Outstanding Lighting Achievement:  Adam Vaughn
• Outstanding Hair & Make-up Achievement:  Kris Slocum, Charlotte Kading, Stephen Guthrie
• Outstanding Graphic Design Achievement:  Stonington High School
• Outstanding Lobby Display Achievement:  Stonington High School