Cole Drama Club Shines at METG Awards Ceremony

The spring production of "Disney's Aladdin, Jr." by the Archie R. Cole Middle School Drama Club received four awards at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) Annual Awards Ceremony at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston on Monday night.

Over 100 students in grades 6-8 participated in in the cast or crew of the show which received the following awards;

• Best Set Design & Execution;

• Best Stage Management;

• Best Specialty Ensemble (Jillian Baccari, Ella Corrao, Sophia Nula, Noelle Salisbury, and Miranda Swartz as the “Narrators”); and

• Best Leading Actor (Liam Salisbury as Aladdin).

“Disney's Aladdin Jr.” was directed by Miriam Scheff, an East Greenwich schools alumnus.

As the performance was also nominated in the category Best Overall Production, cast members performed a song that best represented the show. Noelle Salisbury (8th grade), Madeleine Brooks (7th grade) and Lola Verret (6th grade) were selected as a trio to perform “A Whole New World” because of their roles in both productions this past year as well as their vocal compatibility, poise and stage presence. Liam Salisbury, as a leading actor nominee, was invited to perform in the group opening number of “Brand New Day” from The Wiz.

Chris Gosselin, Music Director for the METG awards show said, “Cole Drama Club kids always come (to the awards performances) so prepared, professional and on every note. We look forward to seeing you again next year!”

“Aladdin Jr” was a standout among the 27 middle school productions that participated in the METG Musical Program. In addition to the awards above, their production also received nominations for Best Choral Ensemble, Best Acting Ensemble, and Best Props Design & Management. This the second year in a row that the club has taken home the Specialty Ensemble award (last year for the “Mersisters” performance in Little Mermaid, Jr.).

The Cole Drama Club, led by co-advisors Barbara Brusini and Danielle Salisbury, produced two musicals in the 2015-2016 school year. Both musicals, “Getting to Know the Sound of Music” and “Disney's Aladdin Jr.” were adjudicated by the METG. The METG’s mission is to promote and strengthen excellence, access, and education in the theatrical arts for students. METG offers member schools with a critique of their production given by adjudicators who are theater professionals. Meggan Shenefield, former Cole Drama Advisor, realized several years ago that joining the METG would provide the students an opportunity to receive professional feedback and the Cole Drama Club could continue to grow and improve.

“Cole has a tight crew. I loved the cave and the sliding carpet; you guys always have clever ways of solving problems… great job! Seamless, as usual”, said Michael McGarty, Executive Director for METG in his review of Cole’s “Disney's Aladdin, Jr.”

For more information about the Cole Drama Club, visit our website www.coledramaclub.weebly.com

METG Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, Inc www.metg.org

You can watch the performance at the award ceremony on https://youtu.be/tLMND3_X0K8