Peninsula Players Awards Outstanding Local Students

Peninsula Players Theatre is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of the Peninsula Players Outstanding Student Award. This award was created by Peninsula Players Theatre and its Board of Directors to recognize and reward graduating high school students across Door County for their achievements in and enthusiasm for the performing arts.

"I believe arts education in music, theater, dance, and the visual arts is one of the most creative ways we have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the surface," said Richard W. Riley, former US Secretary of Education. "They (children) have an enthusiasm for life a spark of creativity, and vivid imaginations that need training - training that prepares them to become confident young men and women."

The four recipients of the Outstanding Student Award are Kekoa Bicoy, a recent graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School; Cameron Friehe, a recent graduate of Southern Door High School; Lola Kummer, a recent graduate of Gibraltar High School; and Alexandra Le Clair, a recent graduate of Sevastopol High School. Each student has demonstrated a high level of participation and creativity in the arts, including drama, music or choral, during their academic matriculation.

Peninsula Players Theatre and the National Standards for Arts Education agrees that the arts are an inseparable part education and of the human journey.

"The arts are such a critical part of a student's overall education as well as personal development," said Peninsula Players Managing Director Brian Kelsey. "It is with great pride that we reflect on and reward the great performing arts achievements these four students have exemplified during their high school career. With the great wealth of visual and performing arts organizations that line this diverse peninsula, our communities are perfectly situated to play a critical role in the continued education of our students and adult population. It is so rewarding to see that our schools in Door County still value the arts as part of core learning and embrace STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) instead of simply the common STEM approach seen in far too many schools today."

Arts education extends beyond academics, students show an increased self-confidence and self-understanding, enhanced communication skills, and improved cognition.

"We depend on the arts to carry us toward the fullness of our humanity," said the National Standards for Arts Education. "We value them for themselves, and because we do, we believe knowing and practicing them is fundamental to the healthy development of our children's minds and spirits. That is why, in any civilization - ours included - the arts are inseparable from the very meaning of the term 'education.' We know from long experience that no one can claim to be truly educated who lacks basic knowledge and skills in the arts."

Bicoy participated in Concert Choir and Show Choir, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble and received a first rating for his clarinet solo at the State Festival at UW-Green Bay. He performed in school productions and community theater, including the lead role of Bert in the Sturgeon Bay High School's production of "Mary Poppins."

Friehe participated in Concert Choir, Madrigal, Vocal Jazz, received an exemplary nomination at State Festival as well as portraying various characters in four musicals, including Horton in Southern Door's "Seussical the Musical" and the Baker in "Into the Woods."

Le Clair participated in Sevastopol's Destination Imagination and Forensics teams, earning top ratings and advancing to statewide and global competitions. She was also a seasoned member of band, playing in the pit orchestra for the high school musicals and as the jazz band pianist.

Kummer earned an outstanding actor award at the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival in 2017 and her teachers believe she was an integral facet of why the One Act theatre company was selected to go to the State competition for the past four years.

Recipients of the Outstanding Student Award receive four tickets to any two performances of the Peninsula Players 2018 season, a backstage tour of the theater, the exclusive opportunity to see a run-through performance of a show in the rehearsal hall and a Peninsula Players sweatshirt.

Peninsula Players Theatre is committed to providing educational programming for the community through its wither play reading series, The Play's the Thing and pre-show seminars. The Peninsula Players has a long history of educational initiatives including an intern program that dates back to the founding days of the Players in the 1930s. The theater continues to offer theater tours and post-show discussions as listed in the program and website.

Peninsula Players Theatre is America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre, produces a five-show season of Broadway-quality comedies, dramas and musicals. Learn more about Peninsula Players and its 2018 season at www.peninsulaplayers.com.

Photo Credits: The four recipients of the Peninsula Players Outstanding Student Award are from top left Kekoa Bicoy, a recent graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School; Lola Kummer, a recent graduate of Gibraltar High School; bottom left is Alexandra Le Clair, a recent graduate of Sevastopol High School; and Cameron Friehe, a recent graduate of Southern Door High School. Each student has demonstrated a high level of participation and creativity in the arts, including drama, music or choral, during their academic matriculation.

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