Newark Drama Awards and Recognition
Drama Club Alumni and parents-do you have information about missing years of award recognition? Send a ParentSquare message to have it added to the list.
Newark participates in two separate recognition programs designed to acknowledge the work of performing arts programs in local schools: the Wayne County Elenbes and the RBTL Stars of Tomorrow.
The Rochester Broadway Theatre League Stars of Tomorrow awards program began in 1999. (see link here: http://www.rbtl.org/stars-of-tomorrow
It has evolved greatly over the years into what is now a recognition ceremony giving all the participating schools an opportunity to perform on the Auditorium Theatre stage! Adjudicators attend Rochester area high school musicals and offer their critiques. The "SOT" schools are grouped into four divisions by school size. Judges representing various areas of the production-music, acting, dance, production, and an overall division leader, attend the show and submit reports back to the participating schools. At the ceremony each school has the opportunity to perform a short scene/song from the production throughout the ceremony. (We'll discuss details with cast later). There is an opening and closing production number that features student representatives from all the participating schools. Most years the cast and crew will take a bus up to Rochester for the ceremony. There is a cost per ticket to attend this event (usually under $15 per ticket). Details will be communicated to the cast and parents in the spring.If we are able to perform, there will be a rehearsal in Rochester before the ceremony.
The Elenbe awards are sponsored by the Wayne County Council for the Arts and Lyons National Bank--L.N.B. get it?! :) https://www.wayne-arts.com/elenbe-awards.html The Elenbes started in 1997 and the Newark school district had a hand in its' organization. As such, we remain the "host school" and the annual awards ceremony is held in our auditorium. While the process has changed slightly over the years, adding new categories, separating plays from musicals, etc., the basic idea remains the same. Volunteer judges (usually around a dozen) from around the county attend the school plays and musicals to evaluate productions. In May all of the participating schools gather together for the awards ceremony. Parents are welcome to attend this free event. Each school has the opportunity to perform a short scene/song from one of their productions. While the performances are entertaining the live audience, the at-home audience is watching pre-taped interviews with the production's directors and student representatives on our local TV channel. Then it's time for the live awards ceremony. Newark students have traditionally changed into "dress up" clothes after their performance. Don Alhart has served as the Emcee every year (except one!) and it isn't the same if we don't hear stories about him being his high school's production of Brigadoon. There are several other traditions-the one clap rule when nominees' names are announced, for example. The ceremony is broadcast live so it feels like our very own Wayne County Tony awards.
Obviously, an exciting part of these programs are the awards and recognition but we also want our students to participate in these performing opportunities and to see all of the great talent in the Rochester area! It is always such a treat to see the other schools' performances. Emotions can run high at these ceremonies. Newark has a proud tradition of professionalism from our students actors. It's also important to remember that the recognition is simply the opinion of a few people. We are all proud of our program and productions and hope that it always is a positive experience for all involved...and that's what really counts! If you have questions about either program please feel free to ask any member of the production team.