SHS Theater Students Win Four Sondheim Awards

SHS Theater Students Win Four Sondheim Awards

By: Kim Kempton

Jun?8?2023?9:30?AM

Earlier this week, Stamford High School’s theater club, the Strawberry Hill Players brought home four Stephen Sondheim trophies during an event held at the Shubert Theater in New Haven. Stamford High had the most wins out of all participating schools!?The Sondheim Awards are presented by Black Rock Theater in association with the Shubert Theatre. Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the Sondheim Awards recognize excellence in high school musical theater in Connecticut.?

This year, SHS student productions received a total of 8 nominations.?The winning awards included:

Stephen Sondheim Award for Student Achievement in Sound Design: Miles DeSantis (AITE)

Stephen Sondheim Award for Best Supporting Actress: Chloé Naudet (AITE)

Stephen Sondheim Award for Best Choreography: Caitlin Roberts, The Prom

Stephen Sondheim Award for Best Ensemble: The Prom

The Award program’s mission is to emphasize the importance of arts education by celebrating and supporting student achievement in high school musical theater.?

“Throughout the year, students challenge themselves to step outside of their comfort zones, immerse themselves in their passion for the arts, open up space for conversations involving the themes of our shows (such as PTSD and homophobia), and support one another wholeheartedly,” explained SHS English Teacher and Theater Advisor, Annie Dunn. “The best part of our theater program is seeing our students become more than just an afterschool club. It's a family where they are building relationships and memories that will last for years to come!”

“Our theater program, historically, has produced many memorable moments over the years which many of us have been fortunate enough to witness.?This group, however,?has brought our program to new heights, as the talent, dedication, and commitment to delivering a quality theater experience is something I have not seen in the 24 years I have worked at SHS.”

Earlier this month, the Strawberry Hill Players also received two awards at the Seven Angels Theatre High School Halo Awards during a ceremony at the Palace Theater in Waterbury:?

Halos Fearless Award: The Prom

Halos Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Max Guttman (SHS)

The Halos is the largest program of its kind in Connecticut.?For the past two decades, the High School Halo Awards have rewarded and elevated high school theater programs in all aspects: actors, singers, technical crew, directors, and more.?This year, the Halos included representatives from 90 participating high schools from all eight Connecticut counties.

Strawberry Hill Players, the SHS performance-based theater program annually stages four different productions, offering over 15 separate performances.?

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