Hastings HS Receives 7 National Youth Arts Awards, 14 Nominations

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, NY — At the 2018-2019 Annual National Youth Arts Awards held July 28, Hastings High School brought home seven awards and 14 nominations from the Eastern Regional Ceremony. The awards, now in its 14th year, honor outstanding work by youth in the arts, as well as the adults who participate in the youth productions backstage: directors, set designers, costume designers and others.

This is the first time Hastings High School has participated in a national theater award competition.

“We are thrilled to have been nominated and won so many awards from three of our productions last year,” said Gerard Marciano, Hastings School District’s performance director. The productions were "The Laramie Project," "Spring Awakening" and "Hairspray."

After hearing the news, Louis Adipietro, principal of Hastings High School, said he was proud of the hard work of those involved.

“These nominations and awards further validate the incredible talents of our students, our theater directors and their staff,” he said.

The award winners were selected from nominations by a panel of more than 50 judges and reviewers.

The awards received were for the following:

• Outstanding Direction: Laurie Walton for "Spring Awakening"
• Outstanding Direction: Rachel Weinberg for "The Laramie Project"
• Outstanding Musical Direction: Bob Walton for "Spring Awakening"
• Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play: Ruby Pucillo for "The Laramie Project"
• Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play: Nina Silverstein for "The Laramie Project"
• Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play: Lior Shaham for "The Laramie Project"
• Outstanding Ensemble: Hastings High School Cast for "The Laramie Project"

The full list of winners and nominees is available here.

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