'And The Freddy Goes To ... Nazareth!'

The  were both about the present and the past.

As they have for the last 10 years, the awards recognize the best in local high school theater, with hundreds of performers packed into Easton's State Theatre to be honored for their acting, singing, dancing and stagecraft.

But the awards also looked back on the Freddys of the past, with a closing production number performed in part by previous winners, and with an appearance by a pair of  who'd chronicled last year's awards.

The evening's big winner was Freedom High School in Bethlehem Township, which was up for 17 nominations this year and took home six awards for its production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," including the top prize, Outstanding Production of a Musical.

Hometown school -- which had  -- received two Freddy Awards. Tess Hamsher received the Freddy for Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress for her role as Lina Lamont in "."

Katie Fritchman won a student achievement award before the ceremony even took place. Along with the award, Fritchman earned an internship at The Express-Times.

This is the first year Nazareth has participated in the Freddy Awards. The school had  previously, mostly because it had issues with the judging process.

The complete list of winners:

• Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical: Freedom High School, "Thouroughly Modern Millie."
• Outstanding Overall Production by a Smaller School: Allentown Central Catholic, "Seussical."
• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Hannah Arnold as Millie Dillmount, Freedom High School, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Matt Gurniak as the Cat in the Hat, Allentown Central Catholic, "Seussical."
• Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert: Hackettstown High School, "Big, The Musical."
• Outstanding Production Number: "The Speed Test," by Freedom High School, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
• Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress: Tess Hamsher as Lina Lamont, Nazareth Area High School, "Singin' in the Rain."
• Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor: Nicholas Acampora as the Scarecrow, Bethlehem Catholic, "The Wizard of Oz."
• Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance: Samantha Prentice for  "Astonishing," from Notre Dame High School's "Little Women."
• Outstanding Choreography: Dieruff High School, "Hairspray."
• Outstanding Use of Scenery: Parkland High School, "Hello Dolly."
• Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Zach Petrovich as Nathan Detroit, Emmaus High School, "Guys and Dolls."
• Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Nina Attinello as Lola, Easton Area High School, "Guys and Dolls."
• Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance (Tie): Samantha Prentice, Thomas Kennebeck, Nicole Dischinat, Shannyn Rinker and Madeline Prentice for "Five Forever" from Notre Dame High School's "Little Women."
• Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance (Tie): Zach Petrovich and Mattea Pechter for "Sue Me" from Emmaus High School's "Guys and Dolls." 
• Outstanding Chorus: Freedom High School, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
• Outstanding Achievement in Lighting: Freedom High School, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
• Outstanding Performance by a Featured Female Ensemble Member: Juanita Shockley as Little Inez, Dieruff High School, "Hairspray."
• Outstanding Performance by a Featured Male Ensemble Member: Tyler Fernandez as Prof. Bhaer, Notre Dame High School, "Little Women."
• Outstanding Use of Costuming: Freedom High School, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
• Outstanding Performance by a Featured Dancer: Carlos Rosario as Seaweed, Dieruff High School, "Hairspray."
• Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra: Parkland High School, "Hello, Dolly!"