West Essex Nominated for a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award

Congratulations to the Masquers of West Essex! Judges for the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards have nominated the Masquers for a Rising Star Award for "Inclusion and Access," for its Senior Citizen Tea, held with the West Essex Culinary Arts Program.

More than 150 senior citizens from throughout the West Essex area enjoyed scenes from the West Essex Masquers’ production of Disney’s “High School Musical: ON STAGE,” and later tea and homemade treats baked by the high school’s culinary students at the annual Senior Citizen Tea March 21.

This community outreach program, which involved the Masquers, the High School Culinary Arts Department and musicians, was recognized by judges of the Paper Mill Playhouse's Rising Star Awards. Disney's "High School Musical: On Stage!" is one of four musicals in New Jersey nominated for an award in the "Inclusion and Access" category.

Each year the Paper Mill Playhouse awards more than 20 awards to high school theater groups from across New Jersey as part of its annual Rising Star Awards program, which is like a Tony Awards show for New Jersey high school musicals. This is the first year the Masquers have entered the competition.

Christa Sorrentino, director of vocal music and theater arts at West Essex, said she is thrilled that West Essex is nominated for an award the first year that it entered the competition. West Essex is eligible for a $1,000 scholarship if it wins the award. Sorrentino said she would like to thank the West Essex Culinary Arts Department for organizing the senior citizen tea and to the District administration for allowing the students to host such a special event.

The Paper Mill will announce the awards at a special awards night June 5, 2012.

Each March, West Essex invites area senior citizens to come to West Essex High School for an afternoon of entertainment and refreshments-a showcase of the talents of the School District's performing arts and culinary students. First, the cast and crew of the spring musical performed a shortened dress rehearsal of the show before its regularly scheduled run March 22-24.

Students in the Culinary 1 classes taught by Caren Maw, Jill Schneck and Judy Crawford baked more than 2,000 treats for the seniors including snicker doodles Cheese Cake cupcakes, Carrot Cake cupcakes, fudge crinkles and lemon bars. Seniors lined up around the cafeteria, filling their plates and then sat down at tables as the students served them tea, coffee, water and fruit punch. Students tried to keep up, refilling the serving dishes with treats. Almost everything was eaten.

Following a welcome by Laura Drago, Instructional Supervisor for Fine, Practical Arts, Business Technology and Social Studies, the seniors also enjoyed a performance by the West Essex Sax Quartet.