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The Paper Mill Playhouse recently hosted The Rising Star Awards, which are modeled after the Tony Awards and recognizes the efforts of 100 New Jersey high school productions.
Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater has ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey. Among early nominees and winners are Tony Award winner Laura Benanti who starred on Broadway opposite Patti LuPone in Gypsy, and Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway.
Among the nominated high schools, Rahway High School led the way with four Rising Star Awards including the award for Outstanding Overall Production. Bergen County Academies and Summit High School each won two Rising Star Awards. Bayonne High School, Bloomfield High School, Butler High School, Cranford High School, Don Bosco Preparatory High School, Fair Lawn High School, Hillsborough High School, Howell High School, Shore Regional High School, St. Joseph Regional High School and The Pingry School each won one Rising Star Award.
Paper Mill awards over $130,000 in scholarships the Rising Star Awards.
Paper Mill Director of Education, Lisa Cooney says, "What's happening in high schools musical productions here in New Jersey and around the country is remarkable. Programs like the Rising Star Awards have raised the bar and create opportunities for student performers and theater technicians to be recognized for their achievements, while giving them access to thousands of dollars in scholarship money. Many of Paper Mill's Rising Star nominees and winners are now working professionally and we consistently hear from top tier colleges and casting directors that the Paper Mill Rising Star Award is a significant accolade for an aspiring theater artist."
2009 Rising Star Award Recipients
Outstanding Graphic Design
Paul Gaschler
Union High School
42nd STREET
Outstanding Lobby Display
Carol Hassert and Sherri Williamson
Summit High School
THE MUSIC MAN
Outstanding Hair and Make-up Achievement
Sylvia C. Abdelsalam
Butler High School
CATS
Outstanding Costuming Achievement
Rahway High School
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
Outstanding Lighting Achievement
Matthew Gordon
Bergen County Academies
INTO THE WOODS
Outstanding Scenic Achievement
Jane Asch
The Pingry School
LES MISERABLES
Outstanding Choreography
Chelsea Cicci
Bloomfield High School
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
Outstanding Musical Direction
Ed Ginter
Don Bosco Preparatory High School
LES MISERABLES
Outstanding Direction
Alison Dooley
Rahway High School
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
Outstanding Orchestra
Hillsborough High School
WEST SIDE STORY
Outstanding Chorus
Rahway High School
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
Outstanding Ensemble Group
"The Barbershop Quartet"
Summit High School
THE MUSIC MAN
Outstanding Ensemble Member
Kelly Cosentino as "Donna"
Shore Regional High School
OVER HERE!
Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role
Jason Cohen as "Judge Pitkin W. Bridgework"
Howell High School
ON THE TOWN
Outstanding Supporting Actor
Matthew Corbin as "Billy Lawlor"
Union High School
42nd STREET
Outstanding Supporting Actress
Erica Morreale as "Bonnie"
Cranford High School
ANYTHING GOES
Outstanding Leading Actor
Anthony Bruno as "The Baker"
Bergen County Academies
INTO THE WOODS
Outstanding Leading Actress
Julia Knitel as "Millie Dillmount"
Fair Lawn High School
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Educational Impact Award (TIE)
St. Joseph Regional High School
- and -
Bayonne High School
Outstanding Overall Production
Rahway High School
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
*** *** ***
2009 Student Achievement Award Recipients
Musical Director
Natasha Gonzalez
Academy of the Holy Angels
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Choreographer
Cassie Faulborn and Jessica O'Hagan
Academy of the Holy Angels
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Props Mistress
Jessica Diamond
Bergen County Academies
INTO THE WOODS
Website Designer/Historian
Michael Ciszewski
Bergen County Academies
INTO THE WOODS
Stage Technical Leader
Sebastian Moon and Rachel Jacquin
Cranford High School
ANYTHING GOES
Set Designer
Ashley Petix
Robbinsville High School
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
Head Electrician
Michael Velez
Summit High School
THE MUSIC MAN
Costume Designer
Jeanette Pidi
Dumont High School
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
