Buffalo Grove Students Receive 2014 "Oscars" and Theater Arts Leadership Awards

 Drama and technical theater students from Buffalo Grove High School received recognition on Friday, May 16, for outstanding performance, participation, and achievement in the production of this year's plays, Romeo and Juliet, The Complete History of America (Abridged), and the musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  On stage or behind the scenes, Buffalo Grove's dedicated performing arts students work together to deliver the best performances possible to their appreciative audiences.
     Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator Kate Hutchinson and student emcees presented "Oscars" to the following students, based on the votes of the school's drama jury, comprised of faculty and staff: Best Actress—senior Elizabeth Clary of Arlington Heights, for the role of "Juliet" in Romeo and Juliet; Best Actor--senior Brian McCallister of Buffalo Grove ("Joseph" in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat); Best Supporting Actor--junior Milan Babic of Arlington Heights ("Rubin" in Joseph) and sophomore Dylan Dewitt of Buffalo Grove ("Mercutio" in Romeo and Juliet); Best Supporting Actress—the narrators of Joseph, senior Zoey Allan of Wheeling, junior Jesse Brooks of Arlington Heights, junior Lia Frykman of Buffalo Grove, and senior Alexa Karbin of Arlington Heights; Best Female Newcomer--junior Cassie Deck of Wheeling ("Lady Montague" in Romeo and Juliet); and Best Male Newcomer-- sophomore Domingo Morales of Buffalo Grove ("Benvolio" in Romeo and Juliet).
     Recognized with gold star trophies for their notable performances were the following: junior Cole Festenstein of Arlington Heights ("Romeo" in Romeo and Juliet), juniors Mark Ellis of Buffalo Grove and Milan Babic (Complete History of America (Abridged), ZoeyAllan ("Nurse" in Romeo and Juliet), and Domingo Morales ("Brother" in Joseph).   
    A special Renaissance Award for "Outstanding Dedication to Theater Arts" was presented to senior Stefani Lah of Buffalo Grove.  Awards were also presented for "Leadership in the Theater Arts" to seniors Zoey Allan and Isabella Raymundo, both ofWheeling; juniorsMary Hussey,Aura Ciungan,Selena Groh, andMatt Heiberger, all ofArlington Heights; juniorsBhuvan Venkatesh andKeli Vitaioli, both ofWheeling;and sophomore Francesca Chavez of Arlington Heights.
    Directors for the three 2013-2014 mainstage productions were Beth Wells and Lauren Stenzel; Ed Moon and Ethan Goldspiel served as technical directors; Debora Utley, vocal director; Elizabeth Bennett, orchestra pit director; Debbie Andres, costumer, and Betsy Ludemann, house manager.