Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards Gala at Waterbury's Palace Theater

Van Dean, producer of Cinderella the Musical, lead producer of Velocity of Autumn and executive producer and co-founder of Broadway Records,
revealed today that Milly and Abigail Shapiro (aka the Shapiro Sisters) are hosting the Connecticut High School Music Theater Awards this Monday night, June 2nd at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. Milly, 11, played the title role in Matilda. Abigail, 13, played Cindy Lou Who in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas in 2012 and 2013.  "I am so proud of them and am very excited for all of the nominees!" Mr. Dean writes.

This year, educators from 2014 CHSMTA participating schools nominated 17 students for OUTSTANDING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS. Trying to choose the top 7 nominees was exceptionally difficult as every single one of the nominated students could easily have been an award recipient.

In choosing the 2014 finalists, the criteria that emerged was: attention to detail, passionate leadership, strength of teacher recommendation and individual achievement that stretches beyond the job description.

They are in awe of all 17 students...your work is a model for not only other students but for any professional in the theater industry today!


The 2014 CHSMTA Student Achievement finalists are:

Andrew Albert & Claire Gaudette
Tech Production
Waterbury Arts Magnet School

Jack Houtz
Westhill High School
Tech Crew

Mitchell Girgasky
Newtown High School Technical Direction

Morgan Fried
Trumbull High School Co-choreography

Emily Ciancimino, Gabrielle Tropp, Rachel Tropp
Trumbull High School
Dramaturgy

Jill Larsen, Bobby Hamblett, Roman Daniels, Mike Frazier, Sam Griswold, Matt O’Keefe
Valley Regional High School
Sound & Projection Crew

Julia Fruithandler, Shaina LuBliner, Savannah Viggiano
Stamford High School
Dance Captains

Click here for the complete list of CHSMTA nominees.

In their dedication to recognize high-quality, musical theater educational opportunities in Connecticut's High Schools, they are happy to announce one special scholarship for 2014:

Audition Admission and Beyond and Denise Simon Acting & Coaching will offer one scholarship to the Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards. This scholarship will prepare the recipient for his or her college admission acting and vocal auditions and assist him or her with the process of selecting colleges that best fit his or her qualifications and interests. The scholarship will include five one hour coaching sessions with Denise Simon Acting & Coaching in which they will coach the award winner on the selection and performance of his or her college audition monologues. An additional five coaching sessions will be dedicated to the selection and performance of appropriate song material. This scholarship will also include 3 consultations with Ray Rosenblum of Audition Admission and Beyond to understand the college admission process for theater majors, create criteria for the recipient to select colleges that match academic and extracurricular accomplishments, personal goals, and interests, and make college recommendations. The coaching will be provided at our Ridgefield, CT, Westchester, NY, or New York City locations, or via Skype.

The eligible student must be enrolled full-time as a high school sophomore and/or junior, show excellence in the theater arts, is recommended by his or her high school drama director/teacher and is in good standing with his or her high school both behaviorally and academically with a B or above GPA.

The recipient of this generous scholarship will be announced at The CHSMTA Black Tie Gala on Monday, June 2, 2014 at The Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT. Tickets are on sale through The Palace Theater Box office.

Awards will be presented at the CHSMTA 2014 Black Tie Gala on Monday, June 2, 2014 at The Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT at 6pm. Tickets are on sale through The Palace Theater.