Two High Schools In Essex County Snag Prestigious 'Rising Star' Awards From Local Theater

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Many working actors and actresses from New Jersey were recognized early on, during their high school theater days, with "Rising Star Awards" from Millburn's Paper Mill Playhouse, a community theater.

Now, a new slew of winners has been announced from around the state, including two honors that went to Columbia High School's production of "Newsies," and one honor that went to a student at Livingston High School for his role in "Fiddler on the Roof."

Paper Mill announced the short list of winners in a release this week.

The most coveted award, the award for the overall best high school production, went to Ridge High School in Basking Ridge for their performance of "Matilda."

However, Columbia High School, which serves Maplewood and South Orange, made a strong showing as well, winning more than one award, an accomplishment only shared by a few high schools in the state.

Columbia's production of "Newsies" won these two Rising Star Awards:

• Outstanding Achievement in Choreography and Staging
• Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design

The only other award-winner in Essex County was Jonah Ruderman of Livingston High School, who won Outstanding Solo Performance for his performance of “If I Were a Rich Man."

See a video of Ruderman's performance here.

The school performed "Fiddler on the Roof" this year, a timely choice, as the village in the show is modeled on a small Ukranian village.

See the livestream of the award announcement on Monday here.