It was another wonderful night for awards as the Newark Drama Club May 27th walked away with 10 ELENBE awards at the 29th annual Wayne County Performing Arts Awards Celebration.
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Six of the awards pertain to the fall drama production of “Game of Tiaras” including it being the runner-up for Best Drama Production. Four of the awards were for the spring musical production of “Mamma Mia” including being the runner-up for Best Musical Production.
Both productions were superbly directed by Newark High School English 11 teacher Emily Howard, who is the Drama Club advisor.
She congratulated the following individual winners:
⭐Izzy Cary - Show Must Go On Award (Drama)
⭐Giovanni Modaffari - Producer’s Award (Drama)
⭐Kloie Sergeant - Show Must Go On Award (Musical)
⭐Shelby Schermerhorn - Producer’s Award (Musical)
⭐Genevieve Witter - Runner Up Supporting Actress in a Drama (Narrator in Game of Tiaras)
⭐Ryan Hinks - Runner Up Supporting Actor in a Drama (Prince Charming in Game of Tiaras)
⭐Bella Humphrey - Runner Up Lead Actress in a Drama (Cinderella in Game of Tiaras)
⭐Likewise for the Ensemble wins!
⭐Best Dance Ensemble for Mamma Mia!
⭐Runner Up Best Drama for Game of Tiaras
⭐Runner Up Best Musical for Mamma Mia
Howard’s comments about the awards follow:
• The Producer Award is another new award that acknowledges the work behind the scenes that may go otherwise unnoticed. It is also nominated by the director of their show.
•I nominated Gio Modaffari for this award for the fall play. He stepped into our Stage Management role and was a consistent presence at rehearsal.
•For our spring musical, our assistant stage manager Shelby Schermerhorn always went out of her way to find ways to help at rehearsal. Weather it was making bows for our wedding chairs, or gathering rehearsal props, she was constantly helpful.
•The individual performers receiving recognition all came from our fall play. I think they were all pleasantly surprised that such a silly show and goofy characters earned them acknowledgment. It is proof that they leaned into the absurdity of Game of Tiaras! I appreciate how prepared Genevieve always was in the rehearsal room. In addition to showing a great range of emotions, Bella tapped into her musical skills to play the ukulele which added a fun “bit” in the show. Ryan said “yes” to the camp factor of the Prince role and dove in. I am proud of each of them.
• It was especially gratifying to win Best Dance Ensemble for Mamma Mia! The musical featured many dance numbers, and their hard work paid off.
• Winning Runner Up for both the play and the musical was very exciting! We had a wonderful season. Thank you to Wayne Arts and Lyons National Bank for continuing to sponsor this program. Thank you also to NCSD for supporting the performing arts opportunities for our students
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 27 out of 28 years, Don Alhart, retired 13-WHAM TV anchor, beautifully emceed the Wayne County Performing Arts Celebration Master of Ceremonies. Alhart was introduced by Steve Hasseler, Newark LNB Branch Manager.
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 Steve Hasseler, Newark LNB Branch Manager and LNB Assistant Vice President.
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.
Newark Superintendent Susan Hasenauer, who spoke at the ceremony, and NHS Principal Kelly A. Zielke congratulated Howard and the Newark Drama Club on their outstanding achievements and awards.