Oxford HS Actors Honored for Performances

The following news release was submitted to Oxford Patch:

The Oxford High School Wolverine Players stepped away from this year's annual Halo Awards with "Best Specialty Ensemble" for "Gee Officer Krupke" from their recent production of

OHS students who were part of the winning number were James Kostka as Action, and Matthew Weisgable, Samantha Ramsay, Kevin Schumitz, Jared Schulman and Nathan Seibert as the Jets.

OHS received a total of 12 nominations for West Side Story, including Best Ensemble, Best Performance by a Couple (Charlie Widmer and Liesl Wise), Best Featured Actor (James Kostka as Action) and Actress (Katie Shpak as Anybodys) and Best Stage Manager (Rachel Rosler) and Running Crew.  OHS also received nominations for Best Classical Play and Best Actress in a Play (Brittany Kehrer), for  their earlier production of

The Halo Awards, modeled after the Tony Awards, recognize the achievements of  Connecticut students involved in high school drama and musical  productions.  Organized by Waterbury's Seven Angels Theatre, the awards have outgrown the 796-seat capacity Naugatuck  Valley Community College's Fine Arts Center, where they have been held for the past seven years, and this year took place on May 25at the larger Warner Theater in Torrington.

Sixty-four OHS students, staff and parents attended this year's Halo Awards. This year, between 900 and 1,000 people attended and 25 Connecticut schools with over 40 productions participated. 

OHS nominations follow.  Pictures are also attached to the story: 

OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL’S HALO AWARD NOMINATIONS 2011

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical: Oxford- Shelby Burnett as Anita in West Side Story

Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Oxford- James Kostka as Action in West Side Story

Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Oxford- Katie Shpak as Anybodys in West Side Story
Best Couple in a Musical- 2^nd performer: Oxford- Charlie Widmer & Liesl Wise as Tony and Maria in West Side Story

Best Specialty Ensemble in a Musical: Oxford- Action, Jets in “Officer Krupke” in West Side Story

Best Ensemble Chorus in a Musical: GYPSY ROBE CATEGORY 
Oxford- West Side Story

Student Stage Management & Running Crew: Oxford- Rachel Rosler for West Side Story

Best Classic Play: (Pre-1965): Oxford- Romeo & Juliet

Best Actress in a Play: Oxford- Brittany Kehrer as Juliet in Romeo & Juliet

Best Supporting Actor in a Play: Oxford- Brandon Egervari as Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet

Best Supporting Actress in a Play: Oxford- Alison Soderquist as Nurse in Romeo & Juliet

Best Featured Actor in a Play: Oxford- Nathan Seibert as Benvolio in Romeo & Juliet