Strawberry Hill Players Nominated for 16 Halo Awards

Shayna Druckman and Isabella Sorial
May 18, 2019

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Strawberry Hill Players
May 2019 - Closing night of the Addams Family

Big news for some of our Strawberry Hill Players! On Wednesday, May 15, Stamford High School performers were nominated for a total of 16 awards from the annual Halo Awards.

The Halo Awards are a statewide program that recognizes high school students in musicals and plays. The Seven Angels Theatre, who sponsors the awards, says that The Annual High School Halo Awards “honors high school students’ achievements in all aspects of theatre.” This year marks the 16th annual award ceremony.

The list of nominations is as follows:

  1. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Alex Rubin as Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family
  2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Katie Priscott as Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family
  3. BEST COMIC MALE PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: Alex Rubin as Philip Brent/Frederick Fellowes in Noises Off
  4. BEST COMIC FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: Nicole Henkel as Brooke Ashton/Vicki in Noises Off
  5. BEST COMIC FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL: Cara Grasso as Grandma Addams in The Addams Family
  6. BEST SCENIC DESIGN AND/OR EXECUTION: Scenic Design Crew for Noises Off
  7. BEST DANCING: The Addams Family
  8. BEST CHORUS: The Addams Family
  9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Arianna Hernandez as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family
  10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A COUPLE OR DYNAMIC DUO IN A MUSICAL: Rona-Lyssa Tulien & Andrew Patashnik as Alice & Mal Beineke in The Addams Family
  11. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN AN ENSEMBLE PLAY: Noises Off
  12. BEST MALE STANDOUT PERFORMANCE IN AN ENSEMBLE PLAY: Timothy Liam Gelling as Roger Tramplemain/Garry Lejeune in Noises Off
  13. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL: Liam Gelling as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family
  14. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL: Becca Ferrante as Morticia Addams in The Addams Family
  15. BEST CLASSICAL PLAY: Noises Off
  16. BEST CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL: The Addams Family

We spoke with some of those nominated for awards and they had a lot to say.

“I saw the website and I could not believe it! I was already so excited for my fellow cast and crewmates and then I saw my name and I just started crying tears of joy. We all worked so hard and being recognized after such dedication and effort is very rewarding. So proud of everyone apart of the Strawberry Hill Players and I’m proud to have been a part of this amazing program for my four years at Stamford High, ” said senior Nicole Henkel.

Strawberry Hill Players President, senior Cara Grasso, is very proud of her team. “It’s an exceptional honor to be recognized for two shows that the entire team worked so hard on. we are so looking forward to attending our first Halo awards! I am beyond proud of all the hard work and dedication that allowed us to be recognized for the theatre that we love to do.”

Junior Andrew Patashnik said “after putting in months of hard work for both of these productions, it felt great to be recognized by people who really understand the craft.”

“It’s such an honor to be recognized along with the rest of my castmates! It’s truly an indescribable feeling. My fingers are crossed that we bring home some awards,” said sophomore Arianna Hernandez.

More than 60 high schools from across the State of Connecticut participated in the Halo Awards this school year. Our Strawberry Hill Players will be honored in a ceremony on Wednesday, May 29th  at the Palace Theater in Waterbury.