After two incredible productions this year from Westhampton Beach Theater Department, the cast was nominated for 21 Teeny Awards and won Judges Choice for Les Misérables.
The Teeny Awards is an organization where judges go to the shows of the 22 high schools on Long Island in the running, and judge individuals on different categories. The nominations were released on May 2nd and now the cast is ready for the award show at Greenport High School on June 8th.
Westhampton Beach Theater department won Judges’ Choice, which is where the judges vote on something that was the best overall and usually is only won by one or two schools. It can be the entirety of a production, a dance, etc. Since the theater department won Judges’ Choice they will be performing “One Day More” at the ceremony.
Everyone is proud of all the theater department has accomplished and all the nominees. Freshman Ari Schneider said, “I was nominated for outstanding performer in a play. I wasn’t anticipating being nominated at all, so being able to get nominated with so many performances left is really special.”
Being nominated is a great accomplishment that many hope to achieve before graduating. Senior, Ava Kuklis, was nominated for lead role in a play, comedy. She said, “Throughout my career involved in high school theater it has been a goal of mine to receive a teeny nomination before graduating and I am overjoyed that I have managed to fulfill this aspiration! It provides a sort of validation in the success of my performance and serves as an emblem of my hard work.”
Throughout the different shows actors have to learn how to work with different types of characters because there are so many different types of characters you can play. Anderson Hipp, was nominated for a supporting role in a musical drama for his role as Enjolras in Les Misérables. He said, “This role was different for me because in the past I have primarily played comedic characters.”
Ava Kuklis was nominated for the role of Ms Peacock. She said, “Ms Peacock in particular has been my favorite role because of her distinct character and comedic presence.”
Some other nominees from Westhampton Beach are Cameron Hipp for lead role in a play, comedy and lead role in a musical, drama, Meghan Pomroy for the lead role in a play, comedy and lead role in a musical, drama, Brady Schultz for lead role in a play, comedy and lead role in a musical, drama, Kaitlynn Mazurkiewicz for supporting role in a play, comedy, supporting role in a musical, drama, and outstanding choreography,
Alexa Detke for lead role in a musical, drama, Mia Pazera for lead role in a musical, drama, William Sultan for lead role in a musical, drama, Evan Pereyra for supporting role in a musical, drama, Kai Katevatis for supporting role in a musical, drama, Ryan Zollweg for outstanding performer in a musical, Chas LoRusso for outstanding performer in a play and outstanding poster design, and Emmy Shea for outstanding performer in a musical.
And the winners are Kaitlynn Mazurkiewicz for supporting role in a musical, drama, Brady Schultz for lead role in a play, comedy, Meghan Pomroy for lead role in a play comedy, and Emmy Shea for outstanding performer in a play.