Wow!
Huge congratulations are in order for the truly outstanding performance this school year by Newark Drama Club members who rocked last night capturing 11 ELENBE awards at the 28th annual Wayne County Performing Arts Awards Celebration.
To view the designed article with photos from the night visit: https://5il.co/2n4pi
Six of the awards pertain to the fall drama production of “Dracula” including it being the winner of the Best Drama Production. Five were for the spring musical production of “The Pajama Game” including being the winner of the Best Musical Production.
Both productions, wonderfully directed by Newark High School English 11 teacher Emily Howard, who is the Drama Club advisor, came with a $250 award for each production that will be used toward next year’s shows.
“‘Dracula’ was an ambitious undertaking for a fall play,” Howard said. “We had a record number of cast and crew members involved in the production. I am so thankful for the support of their families, our volunteer set and costume teams, and the flexibility of the students involved who balanced school, work, sports, and the play. My cast rose to the challenge of a heightened dramatic piece. I am grateful for their trust throughout the rehearsal process and extremely proud of our final product.
“’The Pajama Game’ was a success because I have the best team of collaborators – Kate Flock, Mary Lou Bonnell, Rebekah Valerio, and Dave Howard. Kate Flock and I have high expectations for what our cast and crew can achieve. We demand a lot of our actors in the rehearsal space. We are very proud that they can step up to the challenge. I am grateful for the many hours that cast, crew, and families give to make a show come together.
“It is a privilege to watch a production grow from day one until final performance. Creating theatre takes an immense amount of collaboration, communication, and commitment. I am very proud to see our program continue to grow.”
The other nine ELENBE awards:
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Shyanne Pilozzi as Annika Van Helsing in “Dracula”
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Runner Up Jadon Kowaleski as Quincey Morris in “Dracula”
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Ian Murphy as Arthur Holmwood in “Dracula”
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Kylie Gravino as Gladys in “The Pajama Game”
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical Ryan Hinks as Vernon Hines in “The Pajama Game”
Best Lead Actress in a Drama Felicity Brey as Mina Harker in “Dracula”
Best Lead Actor in a Drama Runner Up Cole Talbot as Dracula in “Dracula”
Best Lead Actress in a Musical Anna Lanse as Babe Williams in “The Pajama Game”
Best Lead Actor in a Musical Ian Murphy as Sid Sorokin in “The Pajama Game”
In terms of the ELENBE individual awards, Howard said:
“Shyanne takes great pride in creating characters truthfully. She excels at being present on stage and reacting to her scene partners. As Van Helsing she also got to show off her stage combat skills.
“Jadon is the kind of scene partner everyone wants to have because he always looks for ways to collaborate. He is constantly willing to try to find new moments on stage and he is always open to suggestions. He took his featured role as Quincy in “Dracula” and made it stand out.
“Recognized for his performances in both the play and the musical, Ian is an incredibly thoughtful actor. At any given moment on stage, Ian knows exactly what his character’s intentions are and can articulate that through his physicality, vocal choices, and facial expressions. He listens and shares space exceptionally well. Ian also makes his scene partners feel comfortable and calm.
“Kylie brings a real love of the process to the rehearsal room. She is undaunted by any task, even with the challenge of being a freshman working with upperclassman in her scenes. She is always willing to try new things.
“Ryan’s character in “The Pajama Game” required him to work outside his comfort zone. He is very passionate about performing and that energy shines through on stage. The role of Hines also required a high level of physical humor which he successfully tackled.
“Felicity loves words. She relishes the opportunity to create a distinct voice and physicality for all her characters. She thrives in building relationships with her scene partners and isn’t afraid of making big physical choices. As Mina Harker in “Dracula,” she took a character from a gothic novel and successfully gave her agency and a voice.
“In the role of “Dracula,” Cole demanded space in a quiet and ominous manner. He had to lean into the high drama of the piece without making a mockery of the character. He did an excellent job balancing this especially with his vocal choices.
“Anna had the challenge of blending modern sensibilities with a 1950’s character. She successfully gave agency and emotional depth to the role of Babe Williams. Her confidence on stage is commendable.”
ELENBEs are given out each spring at NHS to students and directors involved in musical and dramatic productions in 8 Wayne County schools.
Wayne County Council for the Arts Judges in the contest, annually sponsored by the Lyons National Bank, attend every performance.
As he has done for the last 26 out of 28 years, Don Alhart, 13-WHAM TV anchor, wonderfully emceed the Wayne County Performing Arts Celebration Master of Ceremonies.
Lyons National Bank has funded this program in its entirety since the first year. The name of the award, The ELENBE, finds its source in the LNB letters representing the Lyons National Bank. Alhart was introduced by Robert Schick, Chairman and CEO of Lyons Bancorp Inc. and The Lyons National Bank. The Wayne County Performing Arts Awards Celebration program (The ELENBES), was founded by former Newark Central School District Superintendent Robert Christmann, who was also Superintendent of the Grand Island School District before retiring in 2012.
Besides huge ELENBE wins May 28th, Howard noted the Newark Drama Club also participates in the Rochester Broadway Theatre League Stars of Tomorrow adjudication program.
“This year 45 schools from around the Rochester area competed. The acknowledgments are split into large and small school divisions. At the Gala event at the West Herr Auditorium Theater in Rochester, “The Pajama Game” received numerous recognitions including:
Tip of the Hat to Addison Burgess as Mae in “The Pajama Game”
Tip of the Hat to Jadon Kowaleski as Hasler in “The Pajama Game”
Tip of the Hat to Felicity Brey as Poopsie in The Pajama Game
All Star Cast Member Ian Murphy
All Star Crew Member Courtney Jadus
All Star Crew Member Loretta Hobart
Achievement in a Leading Role Kylie Gravino as Gladys in “The Pajama Game”
Achievement in a Leading Role Ryan Hinks as Vernon Hines in “The Pajama Game”
Achievement in a Leading Role Anna Lanse as Babe Williams in “The Pajama Game”
Achievement in a Leading Role Ian Murphy as Sid Sorokin in “The Pajama Game”
Excellence in Dance Ensemble
Excellence in Acting Ensemble
Excellence in Singing Ensemble
Excellence in Overall Production “Sagan” Award
Howard noted Murphy was also selected as part of the top 41 Leading Role Performers and competed in the NYC Bound Competition in Rochester on Thursday May 23.
“This was the first time in the 26 years of the program that Newark’s production was recognized for all three ensembles in a single year – Dance, Singing, and Acting.”
Howard is particularly proud of the Achievement in Overall Production or “Sagan”, because it marks her first win as a director. The Sagan Award’s namesake is Bob Sagan former Director Education at RBTL. Mr. Sagan was instrumental in creating the Stars of Tomorrow program in 1999. The RBTL Stars of Tomorrow program is attached to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA), also known as The Jimmy Awards®
She also commended student wins at Stars of Tomorrow who were not ELENBE award recipients.
“Courtney stepped up as our Stage Manager for both productions this year. She is a great leader with an artistic eye for details.
“Loretta is our Deck Crew Manager and swiftly facilitates all the major set changes. She is also quick to fix any issues that arise during the run of a show.
“Addison’s role in The Pajama Game required her to take big risks that paid off. She commands attention on the stage with her voice and is not afraid to commit to a character.”
Newark Superintendent Susan Hasenauer and NHS Principal Kelly A. Zielke congratulated Howard and the Newark Drama Club on their recent outstanding achievements and awards.
“I am so proud of the accomplishments of our students,” Hasenauer said “We cleaned house at the Wayne County Performing Arts (ELENBE) Awards Celebration and also received outstanding Stars of Tomorrow recognition. Aside from winning, the connections between the students, their passion for the arts, how they see themselves, the endless talent that has developed and grown throughout the years and the impact the Music and Drama Department has had on our students is second to none and deserves the highest honor.
“I am so pleased to see the Drama Department receiving such a high level of recognition for their outstanding efforts. I saw “Dracula” and “The Pajama Game” and they were outstanding Congratulations to the cast and crew of both productions, and to Ms. Howard on her ongoing hard work and dedication to the performing arts,” Zielke said