Stephen Sondheim Award Winners Announced

On June 3, members of the Broadway community gathered at the Shubert Theatre of New Haven to celebrate excellence in high school musical theater at the second annual Stephen Sondheim Awards.

Broadway Method Academy (BMA), in association with the Shubert Theatre of New Haven and Westport Country Playhouse, produced the black-tie gala, which featured performances from the season’s nominated musicals. The event was hosted by Broadway’s Derek Klena.

“We couldn’t be prouder of this program,” said BMA Executive Director Connor Deane. “Nineteen schools and their communities came together to support the arts. This gala made it clear that the future of musical theater is in bright, talented hands. The arts are alive and well, here in Connecticut.”

The Stephen Sondheim Awards serve as the Regional Award Program to the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City. The two winners of Best Actor and Actress will advance to the “Jimmy’s” later this month. In addition to the Jimmy Awards, the two winners were presented with $1,000 from the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation and a full scholarship to BMA’s 2019 summer musical theater intensive.

Eleven awards were given out throughout the ceremony by a host of Broadway artists. The winners are below.

The winners for the 2019 Stephen Sondheim Awards are …

Best Costume Design:
Nicole Carlo - Chicago - Darien High School

Best Lighting Design:
Emily Marcinauskis - Chicago - Shelton High School

Best Scenic Design:
James Gallo - Chicago - Trumbull High School

Best Supporting Actor:
Dominic Colangelo - Tony - Billy Elliot - Suffield Academy

Best Supporting Actress:
Paige Remillard - Rosie - Mamma Mia - Cheshire High School

Best Choreography:
Andrea Kennedy - Catch Me If You Can - Amity High School

Best Direction:
Erin Sousa-Stanley - Hello Dolly - Stonington HS

Best Actor:
Connor Riordan - Jack Kelly - Newsies - Valley Regional High School

Best Actress:
Myranda Silva - Judy Bernly - 9 to 5 - West Warwick High School

Best Musical:
Chicago - Shelton High School

Special Achievement:
Matthew Farina for his innovative work on Pippin the Musical at Immaculate High School

The Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation to presented $1,000 to both Julia Vitale of Fairfield Ludlowe High School and Harrison Gilberti of Trumbull High School.

The gala was music directed by Jad Bernardo and featured choreography by Julie Kavanagh and Audra Bryant. Weston G. Wetzel serves as Director of Production, with David Dreyfoos as Production Stage Manger. Connor Deane and J. Scott Handley produced.

ABOUT BROADWAY METHOD ACADEMY
Broadway Method Academy is a non-profit organization that offers a premier musical theatre-training program and provides the essential tools for young artists in acting, singing, and dancing. BMA also connects children and teens that are passionate about the arts with some of Broadway’s top talents and guest instructors. BMA’s goal is to create a thriving artistic atmosphere where students can create lasting friendships and develop skills they will use forever.