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Second annual STARS awards announced
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Amid hundreds of fans, popping flash bulbs and under the spotlights of the Shea Theatre on the Ammerman Campus, Selden of Suffolk County Community College, the winners of the 2nd annual Student Theatre Arts Recognition Scholarship Awards, or STARS, were announced at a gala red-carpet event hosted by the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, June 7.
The STARS Awards is a scholarship recognition program where high school theater arts students earn awards in 25 categories. Along with glass STARS trophies, the award winners receive scholarships from the GPJ-NB Arts Council, and matching scholarships from Stony Brook University and Dowling College if they attend those higher educational institutions. The STARS Awards winners were selected out of more than 100 nominees from 11 high schools which participate in the awards at no cost to the districts; the STARS Awards is run completely by volunteers and donations from individuals and corporations.
The top high school winners for 2009 were Ward Melville with seven awards; William Floyd and Port Jefferson with four each; and Newfield and Rocky Point with three honors. The specially selected performances at the gala were presented by the following high schools: Sachem East, Mount Sinai , Port Jefferson, Ward Melville and William Floyd.
"The performances this year were nothing less than spectacular — some I would even categorize as Broadway level," said Lori Anne Casdia, executive director of the STARS Awards. "The talent on our high school stages is overwhelming. Our judges were able to see the growth from last year to this year. I predict at least one STARS winner on that stage today will one day soon end up at the Met. I'm proud of all of the 2009 STARS Awards winners, nominees, faculty and all those who participated in the theater arts this school year."
Drama:
• Leading Actor — Brian Viccaro, role of James, Rocky Point, "The Miracle Worker";
• Leading Actress — Lisa Lauto, role of Gina, Ward Melville, "Who Will Carry the Word?";
• Supporting Actor — Christopher Germaine, role of Mr. Keller, Rocky Point, "The Miracle Worker";
• Supporting Actress — Hope Pedisich, role of Yvonne, Ward Melville, "Who Will Carry the Word?"
Comedy:
• Leading Actor — Brandon Murtagh, role of Nigel Trupin, Ward Melville, "The Expensive, Prized, Beloved Possession" and role of Garry Lejeun, Ward Melville, "Noises Off";
• Leading Actress — Katie Lugo, role of Ida (the Maid), William Floyd, "See How They Run";
• Supporting Actor — Ron Gross, role of Bishop of Lax, William Floyd, "See How They Run";
• Supporting Actress — Ashley Ruggiero, role of Madam Clara Voyant, Port Jefferson, "The Werewolf's Curse."
Musical:
• Leading Actor (three-way tie) — David Schwartz, role of Tevye, Mount Sinai, "Fiddler on the Roof"; Carlton Welch, role of Curly, Rocky Point, "Oklahoma"; Ralphie Picciarelli, role of Lumiere, Newfield, "Beauty and the Beast";
• Leading Actress – Marguerite Jones, role of Madame Dubonnet, Port Jefferson, "The Boy Friend";
• Best Supporting Actor – Alexander Steiner, role of Lord Brockhurst, Port Jefferson, "The Boy Friend";
• Best Supporting Actress — Janine Leverich, role of Maisie, Port Jefferson, "The Boy Friend."
Revue:
• Leading Performer/Male — Tyrell Roberts, Sachem East, "Smokey Joe's Cafe";
• Leading Performer/Female — Gabrielle Donnelly, Sachem East, "Smokey Joe's Cafe."
Other:
• Lighting Design: Brooke Perlee, Newfield, "Beauty and the Beast";
• Set Design: Brianna Gobetz, Ward Melville, "Noises Off";
• Pit Bands: Centereach High School, "Guys and Dolls";
• Choreographer: Jessica Bogia, Ward Melville, "The Expensive, Prized, Beloved Possession";
• Costume Designer: Jackie Abruzzo, Newfield, "Beauty and the Beast";
• Program Cover/Poster Art: Emily Zirimis, William Floyd, "Brigadoon";
• Stage Management: Sarah Prosser, Longwood, "Pippin";
• Student Director: Jessica Bogia, Ward
Melville, "The Expensive, Prized, Beloved Possession";
• Outstanding Performance: Stephen Kalogeras, role of Lewis, Longwood, "Pippin";
• Judges' Choice: The Bottle Dance, Mount Sinai, "Fiddler on the Roof";
• Innovation in Theatre Education: William Floyd.
The Innovation in Theatre Education Award — the most prestigious award of the STARS program — recognizes the high school that goes beyond the regular theater program of classes and yearly plays by supporting an activity that nurtures theater arts in education for going beyond the regular theater program of classes. The Judges' award is made by a vote of the judges for a particular scene, musical number, dance number, ensemble effort or group that warrants special merit.
"This program is a labor of love for me," Casdia said. "One of my proudest moments this year came when I saw students from other schools attending each other's shows. They stepped beyond the walls of their high school and created their own theater community amongst the participating schools."
Among the high schools that earned or were considered for awards were Mount Sinai, Longwood, Sachem East, Sachem North and Comsewogue.
Noted Casdia, there is no cost to participating schools. They only need to be in the Town of Brookhaven and let the direct of the program know of their desire to participate. For further information on the program, go to the website www.stars-awards.com .
The STARS Awards are made possible as a result of major partnerships and sponsorships from:
Walmart, Suffolk County Community College, Dowling College, Stony Brook University, state Assemblyman Steve Englebright, county Legislator Dan Losquadro, TBR Newspapers, LI Pulse Magazine, MAC Cosmetics, Coca-Cola, STW Consulting, PTP Consultants, Phoenix Theatre Productions, J Signs, EFT Network, Radio WBAB, Short Stack Models, Lights Up & Cue Sound, Crackerjacks Advertising Specialities Corp., Show Biz Shots and Robert A. Kelly Photography.
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