Last night, the Golden Globes celebrated accomplishments in film and television. But the previous night, a local red carpet was full of theater performers.
The sixth annual Prime Stage High School Drama Awards, held at Hillman Center for the Performing Arts in Fox Chapel, honored the hard work and creativity of theater kids in non-musical plays produced at 12 local high schools. Nearly 500 students, teachers and family members gathered to celebrate these Pittsburgh-area student actors, directors and production crew members.
“The High School Drama Awards is our way of looking to the future,” said Dr. Wayne Brinda, PrimeStage Theatre’s producing artistic director. “By encouraging these young actors and production specialists in their early efforts, we’re building a strong foundation for Pittsburgh theatre in years to come.”
Avonworth High School won Best Overall Production for “Moon Over Buffalo,” and two actors from that show won top awards (Paxon Masters as George Hay for Best Actor and Adalyn Burgoyne as Rosalind Hay for Best Supporting Actress).
The Best Actress award went to Elise Duckworth of Pine-Richland High School for the role of Christy Martin in “The Election.” And Best Supporting Actor was awarded to Isaac Jones as Boris Kolenkov in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s production of “You Can’t Take It With You.”
During the award presentations, student ensembles performed short scenes from their nominated shows. Pittsburgh actor and playwright Matt Henderson served as master of ceremonies.
“What makes these awards unique,” says Drama Awards director and Prime Stage Theatre board member John Dolphin, “is that to be eligible, the students must be in a backstage leadership role or an onstage performance role. We encourage adult mentorship and assistance, but in the end, these productions are student-run.”
The full list of winners includes:
Best Actor: Paxon Masters as George Hay in “Moon Over Buffalo” at Avonworth High School
Best Actress: Elise Duckworth as Christy Martin in “The Election” at Pine-Richland High School
Best Supporting Actor: Isaac Jones as Boris Kolenkov in “You Can’t Take It With You” at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
Best Supporting Actress: Adalyn Burgoyne as Rosalind Hay in “Moon Over Buffalo” at Avonworth High School
Best Student Director: Marin Reinhardt for “You Can’t Take It With You” at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
Best Student Stage Manager: Abigail Robinson for “You Can’t Take It With You” at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
Best Student Scenic Design: Jude Leddy for “You Can’t Take It With You” at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
Best Student Lighting Design: Shayne Parks for “Elephant Man” at Deer Lakes High School
Best Student Sound Design: Liana DeLisio for “The Election” at Pine-Richland High School
Best Student Costume Design: Lillian McCall for “The Witch’s Princess” at Springdale Jr./Sr. High School
Best Student Makeup Design: Abby Haas & Molly Krajcovic for “Our Town” at Fox Chapel Area High School
Best Student Prop Design: Rachel Brito & Kahler Salva for “The Election” at Pine-Richland High School
Best Use of Creative Technical Effects: Tyler Debski for “The Play That Goes Wrong” at Chartiers Valley High School
Best Student Onstage Run Crew: Alexander Bi, Sam Davidheiser & Makayla Miller for “Big Love” at Shady Side Academy Senior School
Best Student Program/Poster Design: Abby Horn, Josie Lang & Mary-Kate Stock for “The Neverland Project” at Baldwin High School
Best Overall Production: Avonworth High School for “Moon Over Buffalo”
Photo courtesy of Prime Stage Theatre.